E! Information host Justin Sylvester supplied an impassioned response to TikTok star Grant Gibbs outing Crumbl Cookie cofounder Sawyer Hemsley.
“Outing someones [SIC] sexuality on-line shouldn’t be okay. Wasn’t … shouldn’t be … won’t ever be OKAY,” Sylvester, 38, wrote through Instagram on Friday, August 29. “I don’t care what political social gathering / faith / affiliation.”
The drama began when Gibbs, who has 229,000 TikTok followers, made a video suggesting that Hemsley was “homosexual to the gods” after watching him converse.
“There’s a genetic part to sexuality mama, and let’s simply say he has the gene and there’s no denying evolution, babe. Oh my God, that’s a homosexual man!” Gibbs advised his followers. “That’s a homosexual man and I’ll say it to his face. There’s no denying it. Holy s*** … I don’t care if I’m outing the CEO with tens of millions of {dollars}, I don’t give a f*** however that’s a homosexual man.”
The video amassed greater than 20 million views and 1.7 million “likes” because it stirred up debate over whether or not there may be ever a sound motive to imagine or out somebody’s sexuality.
Sylvester clarified that he was not essentially “defending the Crumbl cookie man” as a lot as opposing the tactic of outing completely.
“No shade however ‘I don’t know this man, I’ve by no means met that man — sorry to this man’ — I’m simply saying it so it’s doesn’t turn into a TREND ON TIK TOK in 2 days and EVERYONE feels empowered to ‘righteously out’ somebody,” he argued. “Take it from somebody who has been outted [SIC], it’s scary and darkish. I do know individuals who have TAKEN THEIR OWN LIVES over issues like this so suppose twice is all.”
A number of Bravoverse personalities confirmed their help for Sylvester’s take, with The Actual Housewives of New Jersey’s Margaret Josephs, The Actual Housewives of Dubai’s Chanel Ayan and Shahs of Sundown alum Mercedes Javid all backing him up within the feedback part.
“Your pleasant reminder that [speculating] ‘isnt she… or he..’ [is outing],” Javid, 53, replied. “When did individuals overlook that’s outing?”
Sylvester beforehand opened up about his popping out journey on In the present day With Jenna and Mates in June 2022, when he defined that he knew he was “completely different” from age 5. He recalled enduring a lot homophobic bullying as a child that he used to “run via the woods” to flee different kids “tormenting” him.
Justin Sylvester on ‘In the present day’ in January 2025. Nathan Congleton/NBC
“My complete household knew that I used to be being bullied as a result of I used to be homosexual and I feel they have been simply in denial about it. I used to be in denial about it,” he remembered. “Rising up that approach, it’s my one remorse in life. I want I had not solely accepted myself earlier, however I want I wouldn’t have denied who I used to be.”
For his half, Hemsley responded to the viral debate with a poignant submit on Tuesday, August 26.
“Over the previous few minutes, there have been individuals on-line making an attempt to outline me, twist issues, and share conversations in ways in which really feel dangerous. As a substitute of letting others write my story, I need to share it in my very own phrases,” Hemsley, 33, wrote through Instagram. “The reality is, over the previous few years I’ve come to grasp and settle for that I’m homosexual. It’s taken me a very long time to essentially course of this a part of myself and even longer to really feel snug sufficient to say it out loud.”
He went on, “For many of my life, I didn’t have the readability to reply the questions or reply to the rumors. Coming to phrases with it has been overwhelming and, at instances, scary — nevertheless it has additionally introduced me peace, pleasure, and authenticity that I wouldn’t commerce for something.”
The Crumbl co-founder talked about that his journey was “difficult” as a result of he grew up with “values and beliefs” that he nonetheless “deeply” respects.
“I stay grateful for my basis, whilst I’ve labored to embrace this fact about myself,” Hemsley defined. “I do know some individuals might have questions and even judgments, however my hope is that kindness, empathy, and love will paved the way. I’ve realized a lot via this course of — about energy, compassion, and the significance of residing authentically.”
The CEO concluded, “On the finish of the day, I’m deeply grateful: for the alternatives I’ve had, for the individuals who help me, and for the possibility to reside and share my story. It’s a journey of progress and honesty, and one I’ll by no means cease being grateful for.”
Gibbs launched a follow-up video on Tuesday to say he was “genuinely sorry” for “clocking [Hemsley’s] tea.” The TikTok star acknowledged that it was “nasty of me” to take a position about somebody’s sexuality, but Gibbs harassed that he “didn’t imply for it to finish up like this.”
“This was not my intention to ever out anyone this manner, however lady, I’m so joyful for you and so pleased with you,” he added. “You might be sizzling and also you’re going to reside your greatest open, out, homosexual life mama. You might be chiseled, you might be reduce, like, it’s going to be such a gag. However you guys, I didn’t imply for this to occur the best way it did. I’m so sorry, Sawyer.”
