Ellen DeGeneres embraces child star Greyson Chance as he reveals sexuality
A 12-year-old boy signed by Ellen DeGeneres has come out as gay.
Greyson Chance appeared on The Ellen Show in 2010, where he wowed audiences with his singing.
Chance had come to fame after going viral on YouTube for his rendition of Lady Gaga’s Paparazzi.
The viral online performance led to an invite from Ellen to perform live on television.
The second season of my life
12 years old and about to sign my first record deal ||6|| pic.twitter.com/CjHOKM4wZb— greyson chance (@greysonchance) June 24, 2017
Ellen was so wowed by his performance that she signed him to her recording label eleveneleven.
Seven years later and the prodigy singer has opened up about his sexuality.
Chance says he knew he was gay three years ago, age 16, but didn’t feel the need to share the fact with fans.
Writing on Instagram, Chance said: “The decision to write this came after I received a message from a brave individual.
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“Such message inspired me to shed light on an aspect of my private life which I have kept distant from my career in music.
“I came to fully recognize that I was gay when I was sixteen.
“I decided not to publicize my sexuality largely due to a matter of privacy, as I was still trying to find comfort and confidence within my own skin.
“Further, I always found conversations regarding music, politics, art, books – and the greatness of Nas’ catalog – to be far more interesting than what type of guy I was into. This is still true today.
“While this message is most definitely overdue, I encourage anyone who is navigating their sexuality to devote as much time as they need to the process of finding self-confidence, self-acceptance, and self-love.
“Hell, for me, it took years to write this message.
“Nevertheless, I figured now was the time to let a few more friends know that I am happy, I am here for you, and I am proud of who I am.”
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Ellen embraced the news, writing on Twitter: “I was proud of you when we met 7 years ago and I’m proud of you now.”
Watch Greyson Chance perform ‘Paparazzi’ live on Ellen seven years ago below:
