Khalid, the singer known for his hits like "Location" and "Young, Dumb, & Broke," released his first album as an out gay man called After the Sun Goes Down in October, but it wasn't his choice to share his sexuality with the world. In November 2024, content creator Hugo Almonte, an ex-partner, was discussing who he'd had sex with on X and outed Khalid. A year later, Khalid reflected on the experience during an interview with Keke Palmer on her podcast, Baby, This is Keke Palmer.In the conversation, Khalid said that he felt people expected him "to go into hiding" after being outed. He went on to explain that he's been open about his sexuality to the people who need to know (and shared that his uncle is gay, so the subject matter is not "taboo" in his life). He also spoke about standing firm in protecting his autonomy."One thing that I will not allow is someone to weaponize my individuality against myself," the singer said. "It's way harder to break down in tears and stop everything and be like, 'I don't wanna do this anymore. I'm gonna go into hiding. I don't wanna be exposed,'" he said, adding, "I think it's easier to be like, 'Yeah, I did it, I did that, and it happened, and I am him.'" (@) The singer was forced to come out and dealt with the public scrutiny. To Palmer, he also addressed critics who say he was living in a glass closet: I wasnt hiding anything! Its just not any of your business. While in the past he's called the experience "annoying as fuck," Khalid also categorized it as "a blessing in disguise," telling People in October, "My friends listen to the new music and are like, Khalid, who is this guy? What is this side of you? Its vulnerability, in a sense; Im embracing my sexuality relentlessly, fearlessly.