Brothers Osborne’s John Osborne Shows Support For TJ’s Public Coming Out

Brothers Osborne's T.J. Osborne came out publicly as gay on Wednesday (February 3), and his brother and bandmate, John Osborne couldn't be more proud. John turned to Instagram to share a video message in which he expresses nothing but love and support for his brother.

"He's taken one of the most important steps of his entire life, and he's doing it in front of the entire world," he says in the clip. "He's always had my support; no matter what, he will continue to have my support. It's an honor to call him my brother — he's a beautiful, amazing human being: so talented, so caring, so giving."

T.J. spoke out about being gay for the first time publicly in a new interview with Time, although family and friends of the singer have known for years. TJ came out to John shortly after they moved to Nashville and signed a publishing deal, about 10 years ago.

"He was very open and candid about it, and I was emotional because my brother was finally able to be completely honest with me about who he was. How often, in life, do we hold back parts of ourselves and wish that we didn't?" John recalled, before going on to express his support of his brother’s decision to publicly come out. "If I had to have all my money and success erased for my brother to be truly fulfilled in life. I wouldn't even think about it. Not for a second."

In an interview with Ellen DeGeneres, slated to air on her talk show on Thursday (February 4), TJ opened up about his decision to come out and the timing of it.

"Even though I was coming out, it still felt really odd to say it then," he said, referring to the Time interview and a video he shared on Instagram. "I think that’s the beautiful thing about this for me: I’ve never really come out to very many people, mainly because I just find it really awkward and uncomfortable. And so it’s been a really wild experience to have come out to very few people — although a lot of my friends and family knew already — and then to come out publicly in one big fell swoop. In some ways, it’s nice, but it’s made for a very emotional day."

Since publicly coming out, T.J. has received a number of supportive messages on social media from country music stars like Kacey Musgraves, Maren Morris, Tenille Townes, Rita Wilson, Lady A, Cole Swindell, Ruston Kelly, Dierks Bentley, Maddie & Tae's Taylor Dye, Runaway June's Jennifer Wayne, and many more.

Photo: Getty Images