Dove Cameron Admitted That She 'Hated' Having To Publicly Come Out After Being Accused Of Queerbaiting, And Her Comments Are Super Honest
Dove faced queerbaiting accusations after one of her visual videos for her song 'We Belong' featured drawings of gay couples as well as straight couples. Amid the backlash, she went live on Instagram and described herself as 'super queer,' before coming out again on the cover of Gay Times in 2021, where she explained: 'I did a lyric video last year, for 'We Belong' … I used different combinations of emoji couples making out. When the song came out, everybody got the idea that the song was a big LGBTQ+ anthem song and I found myself in this position where everyone thought I was queerbaiting.'
Dove also recalled, 'I went on Instagram Live and said, 'Guys, I really needed to explain something to you. Maybe I haven't said it, but I'm super queer. This is something I want to represent through my music because it's who I am.''
Like Dove, several other celebrities have faced queerbaiting allegations, only to end up coming out as queer. For example, Rita Ora came out in 2018 after her song 'Girls' was met with heavy backlash, not just from fans but from fellow artists Hayley Kiyoko and Kehlani. Billie Eilish was also accused of queerbaiting multiple times before she came out 'officially' in 2023.
Now, Dove has opened up further about her experience facing queerbaiting allegations as a queer person.
Appearing on Dax Shepard's Armchair Expert podcast this week, Dove looked back on the backlash over her visual video for 'We Belong,' recalling deciding to feature different combinations of couples kissing after finding the initial lack of representation 'jarring.'
Dove also explained that she used an emoji of two women kissing to tease the song's release — something that led to heavy speculation that the track would be about her being queer. 'And then the song came out, and it wasn't about being queer,' she recalled. 'Everybody was like, 'You're queerbaiting! This is horrendous!''
'I had to basically go on Instagram Live at the time and be like, 'Guys, I'm not queerbaiting, I am queer. And I just wanted more fucking representation in the fucking cartoon. And the emoji was just hinting at the music video!'' she said.
Dove admitted that she was 'confused' by the backlash, and ultimately 'hated' the fact that she had to come out publicly as a result. 'I was confused by it,' she said. 'And also, at that time, I'd never said it publicly but all my friends, all my family, they knew I was queer...I just hated that I had to say it.'
Dove also said, 'I had a feeling that people were going to say I wasn't queer enough…I didn't really have an issue being second-guessed, because I truly was like, 'I know what I am.''
Dove went on to call out the 'weird' and 'discriminatory' attitudes people can have towards those who haven't publicly disclosed their sexuality. 'Even within the queer community, people are very heavy on labels; you have to define yourself, you have to know what it is, you have to show us proof,' she said.
'If we have that issue within the community, we have quite a ways to go before we're not feeling that from the world,' she added.
You can find Dove's full appearance on Armchair Expert here.
Dove Cameron Opened Up About How Her Life Has Changed Since Publicly Coming Out As QueerEllie Bate · July 16, 2021
Harry Styles, Billie Eilish, And 8 More Celebrities Accused Of "Queerbaiting,' Plus How They Responded To The AccusationsMychal Thompson · Sept. 13, 2022
Here's How Dax Shepard Responded When His Friend Called Him Out For Saying That He Enjoys Flirting With People Despite Being MarriedLeyla Mohammed · April 7, 2025
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Seth Meyers' Beloved Dog Frisbee Dies – Sarah Paulson & More Pay Tribute
Seth Meyers is mourning the loss of one of his most famous — and most adorable — family members. The late-night host announced via Instagram on Tuesday, August 19, that his dog, Frisbee, had died at the age of 14. 'RIP to Frisbee, our OG IG who I was happy to go grey with,' he captioned photos of himself and his pet from over the years. 'She was at her best curled in your lap and patient when we dressed her up like a pilgrim. Thanks for 14 amazing years, girl.' The first slide of Meyers' Instagram carousel featured a sweet selfie of Frisbee licking his face, followed by a photo of Frisbee as a puppy and more pics of his beloved pet. Several celebrities and fans offered their condolences in the post's comments. 'Noooo! Frisbeeee! sorry for your loss. ,' wrote Rachel Dratch, while Retta commented, 'Awwww Frisbeeeeeee. .' Sarah Paulson posted, 'Oh Seth!!! Darlingest of the darling dogs. Sending you all my love.' Alyssa Milano called losing a pet the 'worst pain ever,' adding, 'I'm sorry for your loss.' Other users were quick to point out Frisbee's long-standing feud with Andy Samberg, who infamously expressed his dislike of Meyers' dog over the years. 'May her ghost haunt Andy Samberg forever ,' one user quipped, while more pointed out that news of Frisbee's death came one day after Samberg's birthday. 'So glad Frisbee stole Andy's birthday shine. ,' a different user joked. Meyers brought up his dog in conversation on Late Night with Seth Meyers many times over the years, particularly any time Samberg was a guest on the show. Meyers brought his dog on camera during a July 2020 virtual interview with Samberg on the show, during which Frisbee hid her face in his shoulder. 'Look how much she hates you. She hates you so much,' Meyers quipped. Samberg went on to say, 'Frisbee, I just want to say, it's all in good fun. You're a good dog,' all while holding a sticky note which read, 'Frisbee sucks.' Samberg roasted Frisbee again during a March 2023 episode of Late Night. 'Seth's nightmare-inducing hell spawn Frisbee continues to maintain its identity as a dog when it's clearly some sort of rat-foreskin hybrid,' he joked of the Italian Greyhound. Last month, Amy Poehler and Seth Meyers tried to prank Samberg into believing Frisbee had died on an episode of her Good Hang podcast. 'I invite you to say, 'I asked Seth for a question, but he couldn't talk today 'cause his dog just died,' and just see if he has any reaction,' Meyers told Poehler ahead of her interview with Samberg. NBC During their conversation, Poehler pretended to tell Samberg that 'Frisbee died.' The Brooklyn Nine-Nine star, however, didn't buy it. 'Don't even play 'cause I'll be so happy,' Samberg replied, prompting laughter from himself and Poehler. 'I will never back off that. That dog sucks, dude.' Samberg has not publicly addressed Frisbee's death. Solve the daily Crossword
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
Shaq accepts boxing match with man who 'chopped me in my neck'
Shaquille O'Neal, the former NBA superstar, says he's ready to lace them up. No, not high-top sneakers. Boxing gloves. O'Neal, 53, has accepted a celebrity fight with Charles 'Charlie Mack'' Alston, a former bodyguard for actor Will Smith and a figure in the hip hop industry who has indicated he is in his 50s. In an Instagram video challenging O'Neal to fight, Alston this week explained the two men have a beef dating back to an encounter years ago. 'We were in Dallas doing an autograph signing, and (O'Neal) came and tried to jump in front of the line,' Mack said. 'I chopped him in his neck so he could get back.'' During the interview, Alston sat next to Damon Feldman, CEO of Officially Celebrity Boxing O'Neal accepted the fight in the comments section of Alston's video then posted his own video on Instagram. 'Hey celebrity boxing and Charlie Mack, I accept,'' O'Neal said. 'You name the time and place, I'll be there. Diesel don't run from nobody.'' In the video, the 7-foot-1 Hall of Famer also referred to his beef with Alston. "You chopped me in my neck, Charlie Mack, that's why I talk so funny. Payback time," O'Neal said. 'You name the time and place, I'll be there. Diesel don't run from nobody. … You better check my police record, Charlie Mack." On Tuesday, Mack wrote on his Instagram page, 'So I call Big Fella @shaq out yesterday & he accepted as I knew he would!!!! We've been talking about it way too long, now we MUST get it ON!!!!!!!!'' The latest on Mack's Instagram: the image of a fight-style poster featuring O'Neal and Mack. O'Neal weighed about 325 pounds during his 19-year NBA career. Mack is about 6-foot-6 and 290 pounds, according to a rap song recorded by Will Smith when he was rapping as 'The Fresh Prince.'' 'Me and you, baby, super heavyweight,'' Mack said on the video, adding that he was calling O'Neal 'Sha-knocked out.' That's what you're going to be.''
Business Insider
3 hours ago
- Business Insider
Calvin Klein is going all in on K-pop hot boy summer with Seventeen member Mingyu
Seventeen's Mingyu is the face of Calvin Klein's Fall 2025 collection. He turned up the heat with promo videos wearing denim fits and repping the brand's iconic waistband. International sales matter to the brand. In 2024, they accounted for about 70% of its total sales. Calvin Klein is doubling down on K-pop, with a campaign starring K-pop star Mingyu of boy band Seventeen. The 28-year-old South Korean rapper and singer is the face of Calvin Klein's Fall 2025 collection. He was spotted modeling several denim outfits in the brand's promotional videos, which were released on Tuesday. In the videos, Mingyu, surrounded by large black speakers and dramatic lighting, showed off Calvin Klein's new pieces, such as its 90s Straight Jeans, and a monogrammed denim top and pants combo. Of course, like most Calvin Klein advertisements, there were shots dedicated to the star shirtless, showing off the iconic waistband of the brand's underwear. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Calvin Klein (@calvinklein) The two videos have racked up millions of views. As of press time, the first video had been viewed more than 1.9 million times, while the second had been viewed over 3.1 million times. Seventeen is a cultural behemoth in Asia and beyond, with a following of 16.2 million on Instagram and its songs amassing millions of streams on Spotify. And its members are getting recognized globally. Seventeen's leader, was the first member of the band to attend the Met Gala. He walked his red carpet debut this year in a Hugo Boss ensemble, a brand for which he is an ambassador. Calvin Klein's collaboration with Mingyu is not its first foray into K-pop. It previously hired stars like BTS's Jungkook, Blackpink's Jennie, and several members of NewJeans. Mingyu, too, has been a Calvin Klein mainstay. He appeared in two of the brand's previous campaigns — Fall 2024 and Spring 2025. Calvin Klein is crucial to keeping international customers happy. According to an earnings report by its parent company, PVH Corp, about 69% of its total sales in 2024, or about $2.48 billion, came from its international business. Calvin Klein's North America sales in 2024 totaled $1.12 billion. The brand's partnership with Puerto Rican rapper and singer Bad Bunny was another international collaboration that paid off hugely. Calvin Klein's video of Bad Bunny's, in which he wears the brand's cotton stretch underwear and dances to the tune of his song EoO, has been viewed 32.6 million times as of press time.
