NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — In an exclusive interview with Time Magazine, country artist TJ Osborne publicly came out as gay. He is the only openly gay artist signed to a major country label.
The 36-year-old is the lead vocalist in the country duo Brothers Osborne that he formed with his brother John Osborne.
While speaking to Time Magazine, Osborne said he is ready to put coming out behind him, calling it a "very small detail" about himself.
"People will ask, 'Why does this even need to be talked about?' and personally, I agree with that," he told Time. "But for me to show up at an awards show with a man would be jaw-dropping to people. It wouldn’t be like, 'Oh, cool!”
After the interview was published on Wednesday morning, Osborne posted a video on his Instagram telling his fans thanking him for their support.
"I want to let you all know, that have gotten to know me over the years, that the person you know is me, and now you just know more about me. I think that's so important in so many ways," he said. "I know this is going to help my relationship with my fans, with my family and honestly, it will help my relationship with myself. I just wanted to thank everyone for the support and I love y'all."
His brother John Osborne also posted a video message on Instagram stating his support for TJ Osborne.
"I'm very proud of my brother TJ. He's taken one of the most important steps of his entire life and he's doing it in front of the entire world. He's always had my support no matter what, and he will continue to have my support. It's an honor to call him my brother. He's a beautiful, amazing human being and so talented, so caring, so giving. It's an honor to have a member of my family be a part of the LGBTQIA community," John Osborne said.
Universal Music Group Nashville, the parent group of EMI Records Nashville which is the label Brothers Osborne is a part of, celebrated the announcement on Twitter.
TJ Osborne for @TIME - "I want to get to the height of my career being completely who I am”
— Universal Nashville (@UMGNashville) February 3, 2021
We are so proud to stand by TJ Osborne as he continues to show the diversity and strength of the Country music community.
Read TIME article ➟ https://t.co/BF5odfkY2V
📸Kristine Potter pic.twitter.com/JrlJ1yYvAC
In response to the news GLAAD Head of Talent Anthony Ramos released the following statement, calling the announcement a major step forward.
"T.J. Osborne’s decision to publicly come out and share his story is a major step forward to increase LGBTQ acceptance and inclusion in the country music world. He is now the only openly gay artist signed to a major country music label, and I hope that the business continues to realize that there is a space for LGBTQ artists, and that they can be commercially successful. Brothers Osborne are one of today’s most successful country music acts and T.J.’s decision to share his true and authentic self with their many fans has the power to change hearts and minds when it comes to acceptance for the LGBTQ community."
