Khalid’s Tearful Triumph at WorldPride DC

Khalid, the Grammy-nominated R&B star, delivered a efficiency that resonated deeply with followers on the WorldPride DC 2025 Free Avenue Pageant & Closing Live performance. As he closed his set, the 26-year-old singer, born Khalid Donnel Robinson, broke into tears, overwhelmed by the importance of his first-ever Pleasure occasion. This poignant second, captured in a video by on-line customers, got here simply months after Khalid publicly confirmed his homosexual id in November 2024, marking a new chapter in his private {and professional} journey.

For followers desirous to learn about this text gives an in depth have a look at his emotional efficiency, his path to self-acceptance, and the broader context of celebrities embracing their identities.

Khalid’s Rise to Stardom

Khalid’s journey from El Paso, Texas, to international stardom is a narrative of expertise and authenticity. Born February 11, 1998, he burst onto the scene in 2016 with “Location.” A soulful single that peaked at quantity 16 on the Billboard Scorching 100 and earned diamond certification. His debut album, American Teen (2017), went quadruple platinum. Finally, garnering Grammy nominations for Finest City Up to date Album and Finest R&B Music.

Collaborations with artists like Normani (“Love Lies”), Logic (“1-800-273-8255”), and Marshmello (“Silence”) solidified his versatility, mixing R&B, pop, and digital influences. His second album, Free Spirit (2019), debuted at primary on the Billboard 200, with “Speak” peaking at quantity three. Named certainly one of Time’s 100 Most Influential Folks in 2019, Khalid’s impression extends past music. As seen in his emotional WorldPride second.

His WorldPride efficiency underscored his potential to attach via vulnerability. His third album, Honest (2024), and up to date single “Please Don’t Fall in Love with Me” mirror his evolving artistry, now enriched by his public embrace of his id.

Khalid’s Emotional WorldPride DC Efficiency

Khalid’s WorldPride DC 2025 efficiency was a historic milestone, marking his first look at a Pleasure occasion since popping out as homosexual. Acting on the Capitol Live performance Stage, he captivated the gang with hits like “Location” and “Higher.” Because the viewers chanted his identify, Khalid grew to become visibly emotional, wiping away tears. “These are completely satisfied tears,” he advised the gang. “That is my first time acting at Pleasure. That is my first time being at Pleasure. Y’all acquired me choked up, oh my god.”

Addressing the ocean of supporters, Khalid expressed gratitude: “I wish to thanks guys a lot for accepting me and supporting me. It means the world to me. It makes me so completely satisfied. I really feel like I’m residence right here on this stage.” The second, shared broadly on social media, sparked an outpouring of affection. This efficiency was greater than a live performance—it was a celebration of self-acceptance. Khalid mirrored on the common attraction of his music.

Khalid’s Journey to Coming Out

Khalid’s path to publicly embracing his sexuality was not with out challenges. In November 2024, the “Younger Dumb & Broke” singer was outed by social media character Hugo D Almonte, who posted a photograph of the 2 along with inflammatory captions. Quite than retreat, Khalid took management of his narrative, posting on X: “!!! there yall go. subsequent matter please lol.” He clarified, “I acquired outted and the world nonetheless continues to show. Let’s get this straight (lmao) I’m not ashamed of my sexuality! In actuality it ain’t no one’s enterprise! However I’m okay with m love yall.”

Responding to followers, Khalid emphasised he was “by no means hiding,” pointing to his 2022 tune “Satellite tv for pc,” usually dubbed an “LGBTQ anthem.” When a fan famous, “the closet was glass,” Khalid replied, “I wasn’t hiding something! It’s simply not any of your enterprise.” His candor earned widespread assist, with artists like MNEK and Amorphous condemning Almonte’s actions.

Khalid’s popping out was a daring reclaiming of his story. Regardless of the undesirable outing, Khalid’s resilience shone via, culminating in his heartfelt WorldPride efficiency. His newest single, “All I Know,” that includes Rudimental, displays his continued development as an artist embracing his fact.

WorldPride DC 2025: A World Celebration

WorldPride DC 2025, held from Might 17 to June 8, marked the fiftieth anniversary of Pleasure in Washington, D.C., drawing over three million guests. Themed “The Cloth of Freedom,” the occasion featured a star-studded lineup, together with Khalid, Doechii, Cynthia Erivo, Jennifer Lopez, Troye Sivan, and RuPaul. The free Avenue Pageant and Closing Live performance on June 8, the place Khalid carried out, was a spotlight, alongside the Worldwide March on Washington and a Human Rights Convention with activists like Laverne Cox and Raven-Symoné.

For these looking out “WorldPride DC 2025 performers,” the occasion’s scale was unprecedented, contributing an estimated $787 million to D.C.’s economic system. Khalid’s efficiency, alongside multicultural acts and group celebrations, embodied the occasion’s mission of unity and visibility. Social media posts on X praised the competition’s inclusivity, with

@PopCulture2000s calling Khalid’s set a “defining second.”

A Wave of LGBTQ+ Visibility Amongst Music Stars

Khalid’s popping out provides him to a rising variety of music artists proudly embracing their identities. Listed here are a number of notable artists from 2024 and early 2025 who’ve made headlines for popping out,

• Victoria Monét: Although lengthy an advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion, Victoria reasserted her queer id in a 2024 Elle interview after successful a number of Grammys. “I make music for everybody, however I would like younger queer Black women to know they’re seen.”
• Kevin Summary: Former frontman of Brockhampton, Kevin Summary continued to overtly focus on his sexuality in 2024, calling his queerness “a superpower” and inspiring different male rappers to reside freely.
• Kehlani: Already recognized for his or her openness, Kehlani redefined their fluid id in a 2024 Teen Vogue piece, figuring out as “queer, nonbinary, and proud.” Their continued evolution has made them a voice for Gen Z’s extra inclusive understanding of gender and sexuality.
• Omar Apollo: The Latinx R&B star embraced his bisexuality extra boldly in 2024 interviews, rejecting previous ambiguity. “I’m not dodging it anymore—I’m bi and that’s me,” he advised Rolling Stone.
• Lil Nas X: Whereas Lil Nas X got here out in 2019, his January 2025 Rolling Stone cowl reignited conversations round being a homosexual Black man in hip-hop. He addressed each trade resistance and his impression: “I’m nonetheless not accepted by everybody, however I’m too legendary to care.”
• Doechii: The rising rapper and TDE signee casually confirmed her bisexuality throughout a 2025 Twitch livestream, telling followers, “I don’t care what y’all label it—I really like who I really like.”
• Chika: After coming back from a psychological well being break, the Alabama rapper used her platform in 2024 to talk candidly about her expertise as a queer artist coping with trade stress and private id.

A Highly effective Second For WorldPride

Khalid’s first Pleasure efficiency, was a strong testomony to resilience and group. After an undesirable outing, Khalid reclaimed his narrative, discovering a “residence” on the Pleasure stage. His tears mirrored pleasure, not disgrace, resonating with attendees and on-line supporters alike.

This second aligns with WorldPride’s mission to have fun “the material of freedom,” amplifying voices like Khalid’s. For these in search of “Khalid sexuality journey,” his story gives hope. Additional exhibiting that acceptance—each self and communal—can conquer adversity. As Khalid continues his profession, his WorldPride efficiency will stay a defining milestone, inspiring followers to reside their fact.