Fans have praised Beartooth frontman Caleb Shomo for being “brave” to come out as gay after being married to a woman for 14 years.
The metalcore rocker, who married Fleur Chomo in April 2012, revealed he is a “proud gay man” in a vulnerable statement posted on Instagram over the weekend.
Despite being “hurt” and “confused” by her husband’s revelations, Fleur publicly vowed to “love and support” him and asked her fans to do the same.
“Sending love and support 💪 His statement is powerful,” one of them later posted to X.
“I’m so proud of Caleb Shomo,” another X user added, emphasizing “how hard it is to accept being gay.”
Another person emphasized, “It’s not too late to come out as gay,” and marveled, “His wife’s way of thinking is truly worthy of respect.”
While many critics were quick to accuse the 33-year-old singer-songwriter of “wasting” Fleur’s time, one defense lawyer argued that “a gay man who comes out after 14 years of heterosexual marriage in a homoistic, cisheteronormative society is not essentially an abuser who has wasted years of his partner’s life.”
Those who have followed Caleb’s journey know that he grew up in a highly religious household and struggled with anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, eating disorders, and substance abuse.
After leaving the band Attack Attack!, the vocalist formed Beartooth, whose early music focused on mental health struggles and personal demons.
However, in February the group released a song titled “Free” in which Caleb sings, “There’s no one else I want to be, so what’s stopping me?”
He previously described the single as “the beginning of the next chapter in (his) music and (his) life,” and elaborated, “This song is a glimpse of what’s to come from Beartooth’s next album. It’s probably the most honest portrayal of my soul I’ll ever make.”
Fans took to his remarks and flooded the comments section of the song’s music video with positive comments.
“I just listened to Beartooth’s first song, which talks about dealing with alcoholism, and it’s really uplifting,” one person said under the visual.
“2016: I just want to live free! 2026: I’m free! What a difference 10 years have made, I’m so proud of you, Caleb ❤️,” another supporter chimed in.
“Good for him! Congrats on being so brave and open!!” someone else chimed in, and yet another commenter added: “I’m glad Caleb seems to be recovering and feeling so comfortable with himself.”
“Self-love and confidence are beautiful. So happy to see him expressing himself. He’s been here since the beginning and he’s not going anywhere anytime soon! 🖤🖤,” someone exclaimed on one particular day, when the musician praised his commitment to “be the happiest version of yourself!”
Caleb’s bandmates reacted to the news, with Beartooth bassist Oshie Bichar publicly offering support for his friend.
If you or someone you know has been affected by the issues raised in this article, please contact The Trevor Project by calling 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 678-678.
