Latest news with #MichaelTait
USA Today
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
'Sadly, largely true': Ex-Newsboys singer speaks on sexual assault allegations
'Sadly, largely true': Ex-Newsboys singer speaks on sexual assault allegations Michael Tait, former lead singer of Christian rock band Newsboys, has admitted to wrongdoing after allegations of sexual assault surfaced. Tait, 59, took to social media on June 10 to share his side of the story, telling fans in a statement titled "My Confession" that a recent report detailing his drug and alcohol abuse and sexual activity are "sadly, largely true." "For some two decades I used and abused cocaine, consumed far too much alcohol, and, at times, touched men in an unwanted sensual way. I am ashamed of my life choices and actions, and make no excuses for them," he wrote. "I will simply call it what God calls it-sin." Tait's admission comes nearly a week after his bandmates released their own statement addressing the allegations highlighted in a years-long investigation by Christian media outlet The Roys Report. Three men, who were all 22 at the time of their encounters, told the outlet that Tait befriended them and later engaged in non-consensual sexual acts with them. Tait made friends with the men while on tour in 2004, 2010 and 2014, according to The Roys Report. "Last night, our hearts were shattered when we read the news alleging drug abuse and inappropriate sexual actions by our former lead singer, Michael Tait," the Nashville-based band shared in a June 5 statement. "While Michael has not addressed these allegations, we are devastated even by the implications." The statement continued: "First and foremost, our hearts are with the victims who have bravely shared their stories. If you are a victim, we urge you to come forward. We absolutely do not condone any form of sexual assault." Who is Michael Tait? Tait was the former lead singer of Australian-formed Christian rock band Newsboys. The four-time Grammy-award winning vocalist replaced original member Peter Furler as the group's new lead vocalist in 2009. Tait officially left the group in January 2025 after 15 years. Before he performed with Newsboys, Tait was a founding member of DC Talks, a Christian rap and rock trio, that released five major studio albums together. Newsboys 'horrified, heartbroken, and angry' by report Tait's bandmates were "horrified, heartbroken, and angry" to learn of the accusations made in the report, writing in the statement that they felt as though they and their families were "deceived for the last fifteen years." "The four of us are husbands and fathers. Between the four of us, we have fourteen children," the band said in the statement. "Our wives and children have made many sacrifices while we have dedicated our lives to playing music together that glorifies God." In the statement, Newsboys members also revealed that Tait confessed to them and management that he had "been living a double-life" when he abruptly left the band in January. Tait, who said he does not blame anyone or anything besides himself, said he left Newsboys earlier this year "to get help." "I was not healthy, physically or spiritually, and tired of leading a double life," Tait wrote. "I spent six weeks at a treatment center in Utah, receiving help that may have saved my life from ultimate destruction. I have been clean and sober since, though I still lots of hard work ahead of me." Read Michael Tait's full statement Contributing: Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network
Daily Mail
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Christian singer Michael Tait admits to making 'unwanted sensual' advances towards men
Just days after a bombshell report claimed Christian singer Michael Tait had engaged in sexual assault, substance abuse and grooming for the past 20 years, he admitted the allegations were true. Tait, 59, started his musical career as a founding member of the group DC Talk with Toby McKeehan and Kevin Max in the 1980s and 1990s, before becoming the lead singer of The Newsboys in 2009. He announced in mid-January his departure from the group, which he cryptically said was a decision he, 'did not make likely and has been a shock to even myself.' Last week, The Roys Report released a shocking report - the culmination of a two and a half year investigation - accusing him of sexual assault, grooming and substance abuse with alcohol and cocaine going back more than 20 years. Tait had not addressed the allegations - nor had he even posted to his 139K followers on Instagram since his January announcement of leaving The Newsboys - until Tuesday. He released a lengthy statement on Instagram Tuesday, entitled My Confession, where he all but confirmed the report. 'Recent reports of my reckless and destructive behavior, including drug and alcohol abuse and sexual activity, are sadly, largely, true,' Tait began. 'For some two decades I used and abused cocaine, consumed far too much alcohol, and, at times, touched men in an unwanted sensual way,' Tait added. 'I am ashamed of my life choices and actions, and make no excuses for them. I will simply call it what God calls it — sin. I don't blame anyone or anything but myself,' Tait said. Tait added that he, 'might dispute certain details in the allegations against me, I do not dispute the substance of them.' He admitted that his abrupt departure from The Newsboys in January was done so he could, 'get help,' adding he was not healthy, 'physically or spiritually,' adding he was, 'tired of living a double life.' 'I spent six weeks at a treatment center in Utah, receiving help that may have saved my life from ultimate destruction,' he said, adding he has been 'sober ever since,' though he acknowledged, 'I still have lots of hard work left ahead of me.' 'I'm ashamed to admit that for years I have lied and deceived my family, friends, fans and even misled my bandmates about aspects of my life,' he admitted. 'I was, for the most part, living two distinctly different lives. I was not the same person on stage Sunday night that I was at home on Monday,' Tait continued. 'I was violating everything I was raised to believe by my God-fearing Dad and Mom, about walking with Jesus and was grieving the very God I loved and sang about for most of my life,' the singer added. 'By his grace, I can say that for the past six months, I have lived a singular life - one of utter brokenness and total dependance on a loving and merciful God,' he said. 'I have hurt so many people in so many ways, and I will live with that shameful reality the rest of my life. I can only dream and pray for human forgiveness, because I certainly don't deserve it,' Tait said. 'I have even accepted the thought that God may be the only One who ultimately and completely forgives me. Still, I want to say I'm sorry to everyone I have hurt. I am truly sorry,' Tait admitted. 'It is my hope and prayer that all those I have hurt will receive healing, mercy and hope from the Merciful Healer and Hope-Giver,' Tate continued. He added that even before the reports of his behavior become public, he had, 'started on a path to health, healing, and wholeness,' 'with the help of a 'small circle' of friends, family and health professionals who, 'saw my brokenness and surrounded me with love, grace, and prayer.' 'Sin is a terrible thing, taking us where we don't want to go, keeping us longer than we wanted to stay, and costing us more than we want to pay,' he said. The singer added, 'I accept the consequences of my sin and am committed to continuing the hard work of repentance and healing-work I will do quietly and privately, away from the stage and the spotlight.' 'To the extent my sinful behavior has caused anyone to lose respect or faith or trust in me, I understand, deserve, and accept that,' Tait admitted. 'But it crushes me to think that someone would lose or choose not to pursue faith and trust in Jesus because I have been a horrible representative of Him-for He alone is ultimately the only hope for any of us,' he said. He concluded the post with, 'King David's prayer of repentance in Psalm 51,' which he said has been his prayer this year, which reads, 'Have mercy upon me, O God, according to your loving kindness... blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and sin is always before me... Create me in a new heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.'
Fox News
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Former Christian music star admits drug-fueled 'double life'
A man known for singing Christian music responded to allegations of substance abuse and sexual assault of other men, saying they are "largely true." Michael Tait, formerly of the bands Newsboys and DC Talk, took to Instagram on Tuesday to post what he called, "My confession." "Recent reports of my reckless and destructive behavior, including drug and alcohol abuse and sexual activity are sadly, largely true," Tait wrote. "For some two decades I used and abused cocaine, consumed far too much alcohol, and, at times, touched men in an unwanted sensual way." "I am ashamed of my life choices and actions, and make no excuses for them. I will simply call it what God calls it-sin," he said. The singer went on to say that he left Newsboys in January to "get help." Tait's words came nearly a week after a report from Christian investigative journalism outlet The Roys Report (TRR) with accusations dating back to 2004. TRR says their investigation into Tait lasted 2.5 years and included interviews with "more than 50 sources." Two men said while they were 22 years old, Tait allegedly fondled their genitals after they had drunk alcohol with him. Tait's former band posted their own statement on social media on June 5, saying the four members' "hearts were shattered" when they read the allegations. "First and foremost, our hearts are with the victims who have bravely shared their stories. If you are a victim, we urge you to come forward. We absolutely do not condone any form of sexual assault," Newsboys wrote on Facebook. "When he left the band in January, Michael confessed to us and our management that he 'had been living a double-life' but we never imagined that it could be this bad," Newsboys said. Tait, 59, joined Newsboys in 2009. Prior to that, he was the lead singer for Christian rap trio DC Talk, according to the New York Post.
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Christian Music Star Michael Tait Breaks Silence On Sexual Abuse Allegation
Wondering why Michael Tait is making headlines across the Christian music world? The former Newsboys frontman recently admitted to serious misconduct. A years-long investigation had revealed allegations of drug abuse and sexual assault. Michael Tait's 'confession' followed a detailed report involving multiple alleged victims. Here's what we know about the allegations and Michael Tait's 'confession.' On June 10, Michael Tait shared a post on Instagram titled 'My Confession.' He admitted to drug use and unwanted sexual advances on men. His statement followed the release of an investigative article by The Roys Report, which accused Tait of misconduct over a span of two decades. Tait wrote, 'Recent reports of my reckless and destructive behavior, including drug and alcohol abuse and sexual activity are sadly, largely true.' In the post, Tait confessed, 'For some two decades I used and abused cocaine, consumed far too much alcohol, and, at times, touched men in an unwanted sensual way.' He said he made no excuses, adding, 'While I might dispute certain details in the accusations against me, I do not dispute the substance of them.' He also acknowledged, 'I was, for the most part, living two distinctly different lives.' Tait left Newsboys abruptly in January 2025. On June 4, The Roys Report revealed three men accused Tait of assault during tours in 2004, 2010, and 2014. Two said he fondled them after drinking. One alleged non-consensual touching after Tait invited him to share a bed. Newsboys responded in a June 5 statement, writing, 'We are horrified, heartbroken, and angry… we feel as if we and our families have been deceived for the last fifteen years.' K-LOVE and other Christian radio networks paused airplay for Newsboys and DC Talk music after the story broke. Tait wrote that he had entered a treatment facility in Utah earlier this year and had been sober since. 'I accept the consequences of my sin and am committed to continuing the hard work of repentance and healing,' he stated. He concluded by apologizing to those hurt by his actions. Originally reported by Vritti Johar on The post Christian Music Star Michael Tait Breaks Silence On Sexual Abuse Allegation appeared first on Mandatory.
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Former Newsboys Singer Michael Tait's Instagram ‘Confession' Explained
Wondering why Michael Tait is making headlines across the Christian music world? The former Newsboys frontman recently admitted to serious misconduct. A years-long investigation had revealed allegations of drug abuse and sexual assault. Michael Tait's 'confession' followed a detailed report involving multiple alleged victims. Here's what we know about the allegations and Michael Tait's 'confession.' On June 10, Michael Tait shared a post on Instagram titled 'My Confession.' He admitted to drug use and unwanted sexual advances on men. His statement followed the release of an investigative article by The Roys Report, which accused Tait of misconduct over a span of two decades. Tait wrote, 'Recent reports of my reckless and destructive behavior, including drug and alcohol abuse and sexual activity are sadly, largely true.' In the post, Tait confessed, 'For some two decades I used and abused cocaine, consumed far too much alcohol, and, at times, touched men in an unwanted sensual way.' He said he made no excuses, adding, 'While I might dispute certain details in the accusations against me, I do not dispute the substance of them.' He also acknowledged, 'I was, for the most part, living two distinctly different lives.' Tait left Newsboys abruptly in January 2025. On June 4, The Roys Report revealed three men accused Tait of assault during tours in 2004, 2010, and 2014. Two said he fondled them after drinking. One alleged non-consensual touching after Tait invited him to share a bed. Newsboys responded in a June 5 statement, writing, 'We are horrified, heartbroken, and angry… we feel as if we and our families have been deceived for the last fifteen years.' K-LOVE and other Christian radio networks paused airplay for Newsboys and DC Talk music after the story broke. Tait wrote that he had entered a treatment facility in Utah earlier this year and had been sober since. 'I accept the consequences of my sin and am committed to continuing the hard work of repentance and healing,' he stated. He concluded by apologizing to those hurt by his actions. The post Former Newsboys Singer Michael Tait's Instagram 'Confession' Explained appeared first on - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
