American Pop singer Hayley Kiyoko has revealed that she once considered her sexuality to be a weakness, having struggled to reach self-acceptance as a teenager.
Appearing on Kelly Clarkson's daytime talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Kiyoko said she once feared what her life would be like as a gay woman, but has come to realise that being a member of the LGBTIQ+ community is a strength.
“It’s interesting, because my biggest weakness growing up was that I was gay, and that I was different from everyone else, and now it’s become my biggest strength, because it’s empowered me,” Kiyoko said.
“I really feared growing up, because I was like, life is going to be so difficult and people are just not going to understand."
The star, who fans have nicknamed 'Lesbian Jesus', continued: “Going into my music career, I was just like, if I’m scared everyone else will be.
"So, I have to embrace who I am, I have to be the brave one, because if I take that first step, everyone else will follow."
She added: "And they will hopefully grow to feel inspired, and know that they can have a good life. They don’t have to commit suicide, they don’t have to not love themselves.
"They can be loved. It’s about all these incredible, powerful women - and just people in general - taking that first step and initiative to showcase that.”
Kiyoko has previously opened up about the loneliness she felt as a queer teenager, telling Rolling Stone: "All the girls would go to the Promenade to hang out with cute boys, and it made me feel very alone."
"It was depressing to watch girls that I liked flirt with guys. So I just stayed home."
