Chimano Shares Reason He Struggled Coming out As Gay While Making Music with Sauti Sol
- Sauti Sol's Chimano shared how he prepares for his concerts now that most people are aware of his sexuality
- In a tell-it-all interview, he recalled a time he broke down after his event with Makena Njeri was cancelled due to stigmatisation
- He also narrated the horrible experience he went through when his photo with his mzungu boyfriend leaked online
Sauti Sol member Willis Austin Chimano has opened up about how he found it hard to come out as gay while making music with his bandmates.
Source: Instagram
Chimano has always faced criticism from a majority of Kenyans who are anti-LBGTQ+, with many constantly advising him based on their cultural and religious lenses.
In an interview that he did with The Guardian, Chimano revealed that he was afraid of his sexuality leaking because of the backlash it would have brought to their band.
What did Kenyans say to Chimano after his photo leaked?
His bandmates, Bien, Savara and Fancy Fingers knew about his sexuality, and they supported and protected him.
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"I had to do everything in my power to keep my sexuality hidden. I was scared that it could ruin our chances of becoming bigger. I just wanted to keep a clean representation of myself. My queerness would have been a scandal," he said in the interview.
Source: Instagram
Things took a drastic turn when a photo of him and his mzungu partner leaked, leading to sharp backlash online.
"There was so much vitriol, oh my God, so much. People were saying ‘you’re a sinner’, ‘it goes against the laws of nature’, ‘it’s against African culture’. There’s a larger societal belief that what [queer people] are doing is wrong. People don’t understand," he further said.
Did Chimano's event get cancelled?
Back in 2022, TUKO.co.ke featured Chimano and Makena Njeri after they expressed deep disappointment online when their much-anticipated Love and Harmony Festival was called off.
The duo revealed that the event, which was to happen in February, could not proceed after they were denied clearance by the police.
They condemned the decision, describing the lack of support as harassment and discrimination against their efforts to host the festival.
However, Chimano in the interview narrated that the only reason the event never happened was that people thought it would promote LGBTQ in the country.
"The cops were just like, ‘Oh, you’re coming here to do a gay event in my jurisdiction and we’re not going to allow that to ever happen'." I was in shock, naturally. Something switched in me, and I walked outside, sat and stared at a wall. Then I broke down," he added.
Now, he says, when he gets corporate gigs, they always ask him questions, including what he will be wearing, so they are not hit by any surprises.
Is Chimano ready to have kids?
The Show Me crooner once revealed that while he has a passion for children, he was not yet ready to take on the responsibilities of parenthood.
The singer explained that he had not ruled out the idea of having kids, but would only consider it when the circumstances are right.
He was being interviewed during the launch of Sol Kids, where he spoke about his love for children.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
