X Factor star Matt Terry has come out as gay.
The singer, 30, was the winner of the 13th series back in 2016 and went on to release a debut album called Trouble after beating Saara Aalto.
In a new interview, Matt spoke of how he hid his sexuality for years and would break out into sweat about speculation as he hadn’t even confided in his friends or family.
‘I’m very proud [of my sexuality], and I’m no longer afraid’, Matt told the Gay Times.
Matt said when he starred on The X Factor he kept his romance with the first man he fell in love with a secret but has now penned an apology in his new song, His car.
‘Now, I want to set the record straight with this song and video. I know… People are gonna be like, ‘Is this news?’. I’ve been hiding who I was, and I haven’t really opened up. I’ve never let anybody in.’
X Factor winner Matt Terry has come out as gay. The singer, 30, was the winner of the 13th series back in 2016 and went on to release a debut album called Trouble
Matt said when he starred on The X Factor he kept his romance with the first man he fell in love with a secret but has now penned an apology in his new song, His car (pictured in 2017)
At the time, Matt was forced to deny a romance with co-star Freddy Parker during his time on the show after fans thought they shared a kiss when he was announced the winner.
Matt’s debut single, When Christmas Comes Around, which was released on 11 December 2016, peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart.
The former waiter said he went on The X Factor with just £4 in his bank account and had no idea how his sexuality would come under so much scrutiny.
Matt said he was quizzed by his former manager but refused to give an answer and ultimately decided to take a step back from the limelight.
The singer achieved two top 10 singles after The X Factor but was told by email that he was going to be dropped by his record company RCA.
‘I privately came away from the industry, and lots of people have been like, ‘Where have you been?’ I’ve been discovering who I am as a human and as an artist. This is me taking back control. I love the human I’ve discovered in myself, and I hope I can do the same for other people.’
Matt said he is now happy with a partner whom his family have welcomed.
‘I live now with an open mind and open heart, and I feel like we should all live by the statement that we all say: love is love,’ he added.
In an interview last year, Matt said he tried to mould himself into a person he wasn’t after he was told by his bosses that they wanted him to be like certain other artists.
He said he had to ‘rebuild myself from the ground’, and said he was unable to look in the mirror after his confidence was knocked.
The singer, 30, was the winner of the 13th series back in 2016
At the time, Matt was forced to deny a romance with co-star Freddy Parker (pictured) during his time on the show after fans thought they shared a kiss when he was announced the winner
The television star admitted he had no sense of who he was anymore or what his personality as an autonomous individual.
Matt also claimed he struggled with his self worth after he was belittled by his team while he felt the need to change himself in any way that was desired by his bosses in a bid to achieve success.
He said there was ‘no duty of care from anyone’ after he won The X Factor.
He told The Sun last year: ‘I did win, which was incredible and it changed my life, and I truly live by everything happening because it’s supposed to.
‘But I feel like it was a dark time afterwards. I don’t think I was supported, no one checked on me, no one saw if I was OK.
‘I’m just done with sugar coating everything. You have to tell the truth and I feel like I was really disappointed in myself for quite a few years, feeling like I f***ed it, that I didn’t do it right.
‘But now, looking back, I’m like, no, I didn’t. I killed it, considering the knowledge I had.’
MailOnline contacted The X Factor for comment at the time.
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