Calum Scott Transforms Personal Struggles into LGBTQ+ Advocacy Through Music

British singer-songwriter Calum Scott, best known for his soulful vocals and emotional songwriting, has long been candid about his journey as an openly gay artist. Scott’s coming out experience, as he describes, was fraught with trauma and isolation. At just 14 years old, after confiding in a friend about his sexuality, Scott was abruptly ostracized by his entire friendship group. “I had a lot of internalised homophobia because I was abandoned by my friends when I came out as being gay,” Scott recalled during a recent appearance on the We Need To Talk podcast, emphasizing the profound impact this rejection had on his adolescence and self-image .

The loss of his social circle led Scott to suppress his identity throughout much of his teens and twenties. He explained, “My whole life was my friendship group at that point, so for me my life was ruined from something I didn’t really understand and that was horrible, probably one of the lowest times in my life I’d say personally” . The pain of abandonment and the internalized shame lingered well into his adult life, deeply influencing his relationship with his sexuality and his sense of belonging.

Scott’s trajectory shifted dramatically after his breakout moment on Britain’s Got Talent in 2015, where his rendition of Robyn’s “Dancing On My Own” captivated audiences and propelled him to international recognition . Yet, even with commercial success, Scott grappled with the decision to come out publicly. After careful consultation with his record label, he chose to share his story through an interview with Attitude magazine, ensuring that his identity and artistry would be represented authentically and respectfully .

A significant milestone in Scott’s advocacy came with the release of his song “No Matter What,” which he co-wrote to detail his personal journey of coming out to his family and friends. The emotional honesty of the lyrics resonated deeply with LGBTQ+ audiences and allies alike. “As soon as I wrote that… I feel like that gave me a suit of armor, it was like the holy grail for me because it enabled me to be truly myself without any judgement on myself, without any hatred on myself,” Scott said, noting that he realized his story was not unique, but rather a shared experience among millions worldwide .

Scott’s first experience performing at a Pride event in his hometown of Hull, Yorkshire, was a formative one. Though he was not yet publicly out, Scott recalls being “overwhelmed with how people were just being themselves,” and found that the sense of belonging he witnessed inspired him to embrace his own identity . “As the day went on, I felt more and more at peace with myself,” he shared, crediting the inclusive atmosphere of Pride celebrations as an important confidence booster and a stepping stone in his journey .

Scott’s visibility and openness have allowed him to connect with fans who have faced similar struggles. Messages and social media responses from listeners who relate to his music have reinforced his sense of purpose. “It was seeing the relatability of that and reading the YouTube comments and getting the DMs and people messaging me to tell me how that song related so hard to them… that’s when I was like, this has now become a goal of mine, an objective to use my own circumstances, however painful, to create a tool for people,” Scott said .

Today, Calum Scott stands not only as a chart-topping artist but as a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ visibility and acceptance in the music industry. His willingness to share the complexities of his own journey has helped destigmatize coming out and fostered a sense of solidarity among LGBTQ+ youth and adults facing similar challenges. By transforming his personal pain into a message of hope and resilience, Scott exemplifies the power of representation and the enduring impact of authentic storytelling in entertainment .