In a revealing interview, recording artist Khalid opened up about being outed on social media and how that experience reshaped his artistry and identity. The singer, who confirmed that he is gay last year, was outed by an ex on social media. He told People, “I was caught off guard. I think what’s so nasty about it all is that my own story got stripped away from me.”

Khalid described the moment as both a painful invasion and an unexpected turning point for him as a man and as an artist. Today, he calls the violation a blessing in disguise. “I decided I’m just going to choose to love who I am unconditionally because it’s all I got on this earth.” The powerful choice to live his life unapologetically opened up his creativity as an artist, which he poured into his forthcoming album “After The Sun Goes Down,” which will be released on October 10th.

Khalid said that, “This album wouldn’t have come to be if I wasn’t outed.” This album is a celebration of Khalid being out, and as he tells it, a representation of his queerness.

“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,” he told People. 

Khalid is making the music that inspired him in childhood. “I wanted to make music that I like to listen to myself,” Khalid said. “It’s like a huge ode to just the beautiful icons that come before me. Singing a melody of a Britney [Spears] song or watching a Rihanna video really charged my freedom of expression as a child. I’ve always dreamt of being this pop star. I really tapped into that little boy and gave him his shine that he always wanted.”