TJ Osborne kisses his boyfriend at the CMAs, nine months after coming out as gay: ‘Love wins tonight’
At the 55th Annual CMA Awards Wednesday, TJ Osborne of Brothers Osborne celebrated the group's win for Vocal Duo of the Year by kissing his boyfriend, Abi Ventura. It was a milestone moment for the country star, who came out as gay in February, and he could feel the love in the room.
“It's been a crazy roller coaster of a year for us in so many ways, especially for me emotionally,” Osborne said during his acceptance speech. “And to have you all support me -- it really does feel like love wins tonight. Thank you.”
Viewers on social media definitely appreciated Osborne’s big moment, taking to Twitter and calling it “big, important stuff.” and “a very special moment.”
And before his performance later in the show, Osborne discussed what it was like for him to watch the CMAs over the years, and dream of being on that stage.
“There was so many things that were so many hurdles for me. And I always felt, truthfully felt, like it would never be possible because of my sexuality to be here. And I just wish, I wish, my younger me could see me now.”
TJ and his brother John performed “Younger Me,” which T.J. wrote after he came out, a fitting way to cap off a big night with lyrics like, “Younger me, made it harder than it had to be. Trying hard to dodge my destiny.”
Video Transcript
- Brothers Osborne.
KYLIE MAR: This is Brothers Osborne's fourth win for vocal duo of the year. At the 55th Annual CMA Awards Wednesday, TJ Osborne of Brothers Osborne celebrated the group's win for vocal duo of the year by kissing his boyfriend Abby Ventura. It was a milestone moment for the country star, who came out as gay in February, and he could feel the love in the room.
TJ OSBORNE: It's been a crazy coaster of a year for us in so many ways, especially for me emotionally. And to have you all support me, it really does feel like love wins tonight. Thank you.
KYLIE MAR: Viewers on social media definitely appreciated TJ's big moment with comments like "I know it was a quick glimpse, but that TJ Osborne kiss with his boyfriend on the CMAs tonight was big, important stuff." And, "TJ Osborne openly kissing his date upon winning vocal duo of the year is a very special moment." and before his performance later in the show, TJ discussed what it was like for him to watch the CMAs over the years and dream of being on that stage.
TJ OSBORNE: There are so many things that were so many hurdles for me, and I always felt, truthfully felt, like it would never be possible because of my sexuality to be here.
KYLIE MAR: TJ and his brother John performed Younger Me, which TJ wrote after he came out, and it was the perfect way to cap off a big night.
TJ OSBORNE: The younger me made it harder than it had to be. Trying hard to dodge my destiny.
