Charlie Puth has been at the center of controversy in recent months due to his TikTok videos and Instagram photos that many consider “queerbaiting.” Today, the singer is speaking out about the allegations and explaining his side of the story.
According to the Huffington Post, the 30-year-old pop star has been teasing his fans by posting pictures of himself without a shirt on social media.
Many people saw his actions as queerbaiting, so he raised some eyebrows.
According to writer and activist Leo Herrera, “queerbaiting” occurs when a celebrity or famous person “capitalizes on the suspicion” that they are romantically involved with the same sex to gain publicity.
Fans and critics alike have taken notice of Puth’s recent posts. Other artists accused of queerbaiting in the past include Harry Styles, Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, and many more.
The singer explained his stance to GQ Magazine, saying his posts aren’t meant to “antagonize anybody” but rather to show off his hard-worked-out body.
He said:
“These gym sessions are expensive in LA!”
The LGBTQIA+ community holds a special place in Charlie Puth’s music career because he considers them to be an inspiration for his songs, particularly those on his new album.
He recalled an earlier this year incident in which music legend Elton John told him that his music “sucked.” After hearing the comment, the singer realized he needed to reconsider how he wrote songs.
The “We Don’t Talk Anymore” singer praised the LGBTQ community for being ahead of its time in all areas, including music.
When the singer drove past gay clubs in West Hollywood on his way to the studio, he said he became inspired and “rearranged” the song he was working on.
He was referring to the song “Loser,” and another track inspired by the community was “There’s a First Time for Everything,” which he considers a homage to Madonna’s “Into the Groove.”
Puth said he would not stop posting thirst trap photos anytime soon because he is constantly hyped.
His new album, “CHARLIE,” is now available for purchase and streaming on music streaming services.