Tevin Campbell, an iconic R&B singer from the ’90s who rose to fame with songs like “Can We Talk” and “I’m Ready,” recently opened out about his experiences as a homosexual man in the music industry during an in-depth interview. Here you will read about how Tavin Campbell Talks Life S*xuality embraced me.
For 45-year-old Campbell, “a former child star” is an accurate description of his career path. The 12-year-old Waxahachie, Texas, native was discovered by legendary talent manager Benny Medina and launched into the spotlight the following year by Quincy Jones, who called him “the next Michael Jackson” for his “smooth, savant-like vocals and amazing range.”
Campbell believes the connection was a “huge compliment” but also added a lot of pressure. “All I wanted was to be myself,” she said. He was marketed as a heteros*xual teen idol.
He signed with Warner Brothers Music and released the critically acclaimed albums T.E.V.I.N. in 1991 and I’m Ready in 1993. To paraphrase Campbell: “I don’t think the s*x symbol idea works, but the love songs survive.”
For example, Campbell received a nod for a Grammy for his song “Can We Talk,” which was almost awarded to Usher, his contemporaries at the time. The song has now gained renewed popularity thanks to a viral TikTok singing competition. When Campbell first recorded the song, at the age of fifteen or sixteen, he “had no clue” that it would have such a profound effect. As a child performer, “I was just a kid singing in the studio.”
Coming of age in the heteronormative milieu of R&B at that time, “I didn’t hide anything about me. I didn’t go out to fake a certain demeanor, “contends Campbell. In addition, he says, “You just couldn’t be [gay] back then” in the business at that time period.
Partly owing to changes at the record label, Campbell and his music got thrown on the back burner after his third album, issued in 1996, didn’t do well. His own adventure started around the same time.
“When I came out to my family and friends [at] approximately 19 or 20, that was it for me. After that, I set out on a journey of self-discovery. I was confused about my identity, “Campbell, who left the music business and attributes much of his development to his six years in the Broadway musical Hairspray beginning in 2004, thinks the experience was formative.
He good https://t.co/DLXm8B6ruz
— Tevin Campbell (@tevincampbelll) December 6, 2018
“Being in a community with other individuals who identify as LGBTQ+, many of whom were leading very typical lives with committed partnerships, was incredibly affirming. That was something brand new to me “As he puts it. In retrospect, I look back on that period with fondness.
Despite years of speculation, Campbell has mainly kept his private life private. In January of this year, he answered a Twitter user’s query regarding well-known musicians who have been widely speculated to be gay. He tweeted, “Tevin is…” followed by a rainbow smiley face.
Campbell says of his remarks, “it was a casual thing for me,” despite the fact that many people saw it as a coming-out declaration. He continues, “I love my followers, but what they think about my s*xuality is of little consequence to me.”
When asked about the rising popularity of young, openly gay Black celebrities like Frank Ocean and Lil Nas X, he laughs and adds, “It wasn’t like that in the ’90s.” “However, I’m happy that I’ll be able to witness it. It makes me happy to see progress in that direction. Many children, especially young Black boys, lack role models.”
🙌🏾🙌🏾 KING🙌🏾🙌🏾 https://t.co/lnVaxs8kut
— Tevin Campbell (@tevincampbelll) August 19, 2022
Also, “They’re not being taught to love themselves because of who they are,” he says. Campbell’s biggest achievement is learning to love himself, according to the musician, who is currently working on new music, recently played at the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville, and won this year’s R&B icon award at the Black Music Honors.
“He responds, “You know, there are a lot of kid stars that don’t make it. What makes me happy right now is how far I’ve come in life. Yet many of us do, and I’ve come to accept that this is who I am.”
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