In November of 2024, singer Khalid found himself dealing with a huge violation of his privacy.
An ex-partner of his decided to publicly out him on social media, causing a frenzy of gossip online.
Instead of lashing out in anger, though, Khalid took the opportunity to make it clear that he wasn’t afraid to admit he was gay.
He took to X (formerly Twitter) to address the situation and his fans directly.
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“I got outted and the world still continues to turn. Let’s get this straight (lmao) I am not ashamed of my sexuality! In reality it ain’t nobodies business! But I am okay with me, love yall,” the singer wrote on November 22, 2024.
Now, almost a year later, Khalid is opening up about the ways his life has changed now that he is open about his sexuality.
“Just being comfortable in gay places publicly, with no shame; maybe twisting my hips while I walk down the street in public; and playing with my balance of femininity and masculinity, I feel like I was never able to do that freely before. Now I am, and I’m just having so much fun. No more hiding,” the singer shared in a new PEOPLE exclusive.
Khalid also shared that he has not been in contact with the ex that outed him, but he feels he has closure on the situation.
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“I feel like when it comes down to him, I feel like when I closed the door years ago, I just wanted that door to remain closed; there’s just no point of opening it,” he continued in the PEOPLE interview. “I feel like sometimes we confuse closure to be this two-way street. It’s closed on my end, and that’s just how it’s going to stay.”
Khalid is also channeling the carefree vibes of this new chapter of life into his new album After The Sun Goes Down, which was released on October 10, 2025.
“This album is a celebration of being out and a representation of my queerness,” he shared with PEOPLE. “My friends listen to the new music and are like, ‘Khalid, who is this guy? What is this side of you?’ It’s vulnerability, in a sense; I’m embracing my sexuality — relentlessly, fearlessly.”
