Aussie
Idol singer comes out

Australian Idol contestant Anthony Callea publicly announced he is gay to the Melbourne Herald Sun on Monday.

"I have no issue with my sexuality now, but it's taken time to become confident with who I am and happy with who I am," he told the Aussie newspaper. "I'm looking forward to living a life with no barriers and not having to worry about saying the right thing."

Callea, 24, was outed earlier this month by a radio DJ, though he said he planned to come out publicly before the incident. He described it as a weight off his shoulders, especially since he had denied being gay in earlier interviews. He told the Herald Sun that he didn't want to be known as the "gay contestant from Idol."

In the interview Callea said that he went thought depression during his teen years and eventually went to a psychologist. He said that his parents were not privy to why he was in a state of deep depression. Since then, he has met his current partner, Paul, during the show, who he said has been very supportive. While coming out publicly has been cathartic for him, Callea said, he worries about his family, who live in a Melbourne suburb.

"I'm strong enough to cop any flak that might come my way, but I care about the comments that might come to my family and friends," he said.

According to the article his single "The Prayer," is the highest-selling single in Australian history. (The Advocate)