Rock singer and Beartooth front man Caleb Shomo reflects on his decision to come out as a “proud gay man” in May 2026. During an appearance on “Vanderpump rules” stars Katie Maloney and Dayna Kathan’s podcast, “Respectless,” the 33-year-old admitted that while he was happy with his decision to now live life on his terms, he is still working on “forgiving himself” for hiding for so long.
According to an earlier report from The explosionCaleb’s coming-of-age story rocked the internet, primarily because of his previous 14-year marriage to his wife, Fleur Shomo. He told the Bravo personalities during his recent interview that the moment was particularly difficult.
“I just cried my damn eyes out trying so hard to express myself,” Caleb said. “And I really struggle to verbalize things and it’s obviously such an intense thing and I feel so nervous and so scared in the situation that it was really, really hard to verbalize and I didn’t articulate it very well.”
Caleb Shomo is working hard to ‘forgive’ himself after hiding his true feelings for so long
While talking to his wife, Caleb said he had told her that he had suppressed his feelings about men for far too long. “There’s something there that I’ve been running from for a long time. And I don’t think I want to run anymore,” he recalled telling her.
After that, Caleb said everything just started coming out, before revealing that he started seeing a therapist to help with his “severe ADHD.”
In addition, the singer used exercise, healthy food, sleep and creativity to help him cope with his emotions. And while he’s not quite there yet, Caleb said his primary goal is to help others get to a place where they can be free and where he can “forgive” himself.
“I feel like I’m on my way,” the “I Was Alive” singer shared. “I’m letting this happen. I’m not trying to rush it. I’m not trying to force anything. It’s just one step at a time.”
Caleb remembers being made fun of by kids at school
Elsewhere in the podcast, Caleb spoke to Maloney and Kathan about one of his core childhood memories, sharing that it happened when he was “probably six or seven.”
The rock singer said he was with his mother and brother in a department store when he picked out a ring that his mother called a “girl’s ring”. At the time, Caleb wasn’t phased by the news; but when he wore it to school the next day, he said he was severely “taunted” by the children.
“I just freaked out and didn’t know what was going on and threw it out the window,” he said. “It was like, ‘F-ck, don’t do that.’ Whatever it is, let’s keep it away.”
Caleb said he learned in that moment that he had a “very strong feminine” side, but also that he had to keep it hidden in his Midwestern town. Additionally, he heard even more negative comments about the LGBTQ+ community from people closest to him, making it even more challenging for him to come to terms with his feelings.
“So the feeling that I had, which I now understand was my sexuality, I just saw and compartmentalized as self-hatred. It’s this thing that’s evil in me, and okay, you fight this with all your might. And it’s the right thing to do. You’re begging for it,” he said.
Caleb Shomo came out as gay with an emotional post on social media
Good friends, Caleb Shomo! 🖤
O vocalista do Beartooth declared que é gay em um novo post publicado no seu Instagram! pic.twitter.com/UJFydkIJb7
— downstage (@downstagebra) 23 May 2026
Caleb responded to fan speculation about his sexuality in May 2026, writing on social media that he identified as a “proud gay man.” He went on to say that he had been struggling with his emotions for a while, calling them “difficult to navigate.”
Caleb, a Columbus, Ohio native, went on to say that he had used his music over the years to explore various themes, including religion, depression, self-hatred and hopelessness. “I’m grateful for all these albums, but sometimes feel embarrassed that I wouldn’t allow myself to dig up the roots for so long,” he said.
Fleur Shomo responded to her husband’s upcoming post with a candid admission of her own
Caleb’s wife, Fleur, broke her silence on Caleb’s hospitalization hours later, calling the last few months a “very disorienting and hurtful time to navigate.” Despite her feelings of anger, Fleur expressed sadness after learning that her husband had dealt with “confusion and pain” for many years.
“You never want anything more for your person than for them to just be okay. You’re also constantly asking yourself if you’re a bad person because you wonder what that means for your world and the anger you feel as well,” she added.
Fleur went on to point out the “duality of this situation”, acknowledging that while she supports Caleb, she is also dealing with the loss of her marriage. “You can love and support your person through the hardest time of their life, while being completely torn down and losing yourself at the same time,” she shared.
