Tevin Campbell recently opened up about his sexuality in an interview, confirming that he identifies as a gay man. Reflecting on his journey, Campbell shared the experiences that led him to embrace this part of his identity and feel comfortable sharing it with his fans.
Known for his significant contributions to music, including chart-topping hits and a memorable song from a ’90s Disney classic, Campbell’s decision to speak openly about his personal life marks an important moment in his career and connection with his audience.
“What makes me happiest right now is how far I’ve come in life,” he said on the podcast. “You know, there are a lot of child stars that don’t make it. But a lot of us do … and the fact that I’ve embraced me.”
Tevin Campbell’s sexuality has been a topic of speculation for many years, but he has largely kept his personal life private since the start of his career.
The speculation intensified earlier this year when he tweeted (and later deleted) the phrase “Tevin is…” followed by a rainbow flag emoji.
Campbell signed his first major label record deal with Warner Music in 1991 and released his debut album, T.E.V.I.N., to critical acclaim.
At just 14 years old, he achieved his first top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Round and Round,” a song written and produced by Prince for the film Graffiti Bridge.
This performance earned him a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male, marking the first of five Grammy nods throughout his career.
Tevin Campbell is also known for his hit songs like “Can We Talk” and “Tell Me What You Want Me to Do,” both of which reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. Additionally, he is recognized as the voice of Powerline in the 1995 animated film A Goofy Movie.
In his recent interview, Campbell described himself as a “former child star” and shared that he never consciously concealed his identity during his early years in the industry. He remarked,
“I didn’t hide anything about me. I didn’t try to act a certain way or anything. You just couldn’t be [gay] back then.”
His journey toward self-acceptance took a significant turn in 2005 when he portrayed Seaweed J. Stubbs in the Broadway musical Hairspray.
Campbell noted that being surrounded by LGBTQ+ individuals living openly and authentically was transformative for him. He stated,
“Being around people who were like me, LGBTQ+ people that were living normal lives and had partners. I had never seen that. That was a great time in my life.”
Tevin Campbell expressed admiration for artists like Lil Nas X and Frank Ocean, who have achieved success in R&B and hip-hop while being openly queer. He highlighted the changes in the industry, noting,
“It wasn’t like that in the ’90s, but I’m glad I get to see it. I’m glad that’s changing.”
Campbell emphasized the importance of representation, particularly for young Black boys, stating,
“There are a lot of kids, especially young Black boys that need to see representation. They’re not being taught to love themselves because of who they are.”
His comments reflect a hope for a more inclusive future in the music industry, where individuals can embrace their identities without fear.
