Country Singer Recalls Fear of Having Music Career Taken Away for Being Gay

Having a dream of performing on stage from a young age, Chely Wright eventually found herself achieving that dream. Recording hit songs like “Shut Up and Drive” and “Single White Female”, the singer appeared on the rise as she released several albums. But at the same time, Wright worried about her life in the spotlight due to her being gay. While not ashamed of her sexuality, the singer worried about how it would be received within country music. Scared that her career would be taken from her, she opted to keep her sexuality private until 2010.

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Wright told PEOPLE she came to her decision after contemplating suicide in 2006.

“I did not have a choice. I knew that I was coming out just a few hours after I had not ended my life. If I want to survive myself on earth, I had to come out or I wasn’t going to make it,” Wright said. “So there was that fight or flight survival, that feral instinct to do whatever I needed to do to maintain life.”

And now, looking back on her career, she recalled her decision to leave the music industry. 

Speaking with Variety about her career in country music, Wright always knew how quickly her career could have ended. “I began seeing career longevity through a different lens sooner than anyone else similarly situated because I was a closeted gay person, and I knew that at any moment that my career could be gone like that if I were found out.”

With Wright having to hide her true self, the stress took a toll. “You spend a lot of your energy when you’re in the closet staying in the closet. I did think about what would I do if this career were taken from me.”

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The Proudest Moment In Chely Wright’s Career

Not wanting to rely on country music alone, Wright decided to buy a few rental houses to keep her future secure. Although a tough time for her, she remembered, “I can’t tell you how many times I was painting a rental house, ran home, got a shower, and went out and did the Grand Ole Opry. I loved it, but I also think I was doing it out of survival, and ‘I have to make sure I’m OK in case the career is taken.’”

While eventually becoming a senior executive of a management company, Wright learned about how much her coming out in 2010 helped others. “I feel really lucky and grateful and honored to have done what I did when I did it, and I hear so frequently from other people in the industry and new or emerging artists that my story and my coming out gave them a little bit of comfort and insight and maybe community.” 

Although her life was full of special moments, like marrying Lauren Blitzer in 2011 and welcoming twins in 2013, she always held being true to herself close. “Of all the things I’ve done in my life, coming out, not just when I did but how I did, I think it’s the thing of which I’m most proud.”

Editor’s Note: If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, help is available. Call, text, or chat 988

(Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)