*Michael Tait, the former lead singer of Newsboys and DC Talk member, has publicly acknowledged a troubling pattern of behavior involving cocaine use and unwanted sexual advances toward young men.
In a candid Instagram post, the Grammy-winner confessed, “Recent reports of my reckless and destructive behavior, including drug and alcohol abuse and sexual activity are sadly, largely true.” He admitted to two decades of cocaine and alcohol abuse, as well as touching men inappropriately, stating, “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.”
Tait’s confession follows a June 4 investigative report by the Roys Report, which detailed allegations of “predatory grooming” and drug abuse based on interviews with over 50 sources. The report highlighted claims from three men, all 22 at the time, who alleged inappropriate encounters with Tait during Christian music tours in 2004, 2010, and 2014.
Two men claimed they awoke to Tait fondling them after drinking together, with one alleging Tait offered him cocaine. Another described an incident involving a non-consensual massage while sharing a bed. The revelations prompted Tait’s abrupt departure from Newsboys in January, after 16 years as their frontman.
He explained, “When I abruptly left Newsboys in January I did so to get help,” noting he spent six weeks in a Utah treatment center and has been “clean and sober since.” Tait expressed deep regret, admitting, “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.”
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Newsboys responded on Instagram, stating, “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.”
The band expressed support for victims, urging them to come forward. K-LOVE, a major Christian radio network, has paused airplay of Newsboys and DC Talk music, with a representative saying, “As the investigation proceeds, our prayers are with all those involved.”
Belis is Tait’s full statement on Instagram:
“Recent reports of my reckless and destructive behavior, including 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. I will simply call it what God calls it-sin. I don’t blame anyone or anything but myself. While I might dispute certain details in the accusations against me, I do not dispute the substance of them.
“When I abruptly left Newsboys in January I did so to get help. I was not healthy, physically or spiritually, and was tired of leading a double life. 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 have lots of hard work 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. 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. 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. 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.
“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. 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. 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.
“Even before this recent news became public, I had started on a path to health, healing, and wholeness, thanks to a small circle of clinical health professionals, loving family, caring friends, and wise counselors -all of whom 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 want to stay; and costing us more than we want to pay. 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. 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.
“King David’s prayer of repentance in Psalm 51 has been my prayer this year: “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness… Blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me… Create in me a new heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
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