TJ Osborne, half of the country duo Brothers Osborne, discusses a gay man in public for the first time.
Together, the duo have won four CMA awards and been nominated for seven Grammys. As a result, TJ’s release makes him one of the most established country singers signed to a major label for being openly gay.
The country artist said in an interview with Time that he is ‘very comfortable being gay’ as he has been on his way to friends and family for a while. He knew from an early age how he identified himself. However, given the reputation of country music fans as being somewhat unforgiving to people whose values differ from theirs, he was afraid for years to publicize his sexuality.
“I’m being warned that I do not want to talk about something I personally do not have a problem with. It feels so strange,” he explained.
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The 36-year-old noted that there is an inherent risk that an announcement could cause these fans to lose. Although he notes that he may be giving his fans too little credit.
TJ Osborne discussed in public for the first time.
(Rodin Eckenroth / WireImage)
“People will ask, ‘Why even talk about this?’ and personally I agree with that, ‘he explained. “But for me to show up at an awards show with a man, it would hurt people. It will not be like ‘Oh, cool!’
He continued: “I do not think I’m going to be run off the stage in Chicago, but in a rural town that will play a county?
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TJ explains that the coronavirus quarantine gives him some perspective and leads him to the conclusion that there is no perfect time to get out and that it is important to be honest about who he is, to appreciate future success.
“I want to reach the pinnacle of my career to be completely who I am,” he said. “I mean, I’m who I am, but I’m kept a part of me muted, and it’s stifling.”
Although hitmakers such as Lil Nas X, Brandi Carlile and Orville Peck have been candid about their sexuality in the past, Osborne was concerned that his established position in the genre not only gave him a lot, but also his brother, John.
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In turn, John told Time: “If I had to wipe out all my money and success to make my brother come true in life, I would not even think about it. Not for a moment.”
TJ closed his interview by noting that he hopes his decision to come out in public will make country music more accessible to the gay community, rather than shutting him off from existing fans.
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“You know the thing – stand for something else do you fall for something?” he said. “It sounds like something someone in country music would say. But if you stand for something and that’s not what they stand for, then they hate it.”