Sande wants to shout about love ‘from rooftops’ after coming out
EMELI Sande has said she was driven to come out publicly by an urge to be “bold and honest” in everything she does.
In April, the Scottish singer, 35, revealed she had fallen in love with a woman, a classical pianist, after they collaborated on a track for her new album.
Sande said she had been “nervous” about the decision but had also wanted to “shout from the rooftops and celebrate” their relationship.
But she admitted that coming out may cause issues if she returns to Zambia, where her father’s family are from.
Her new album, Let’s Say For Instance, was released last week and is her first on an independent record label after she parted ways with major label Virgin after a decade.
Sande said the reaction to her coming out had been “so loving”.
She added: “I really wasn’t expecting that. I felt I really have to be honest about who I am and who I’m in love with. And I didn’t really know what to expect – it was quite a daunting prospect.
“But I’ve just been genuinely deeply touched and overwhelmed by the love and the response and I am just so thankful for it.
“We both feel so much better now that we can just get on with our lives, so it feels brilliant.”
The Brighter Days singer admitted she had some worries about the decision.
She said: “It was definitely something I was a bit nervous about because you never know how people will react. And, sadly, it’s still a battle for many people around the world. I don’t know how it would be if I went to Zambia now.”
“I feel a lot more like myself now that I can be as I am in every aspect of my life.”