CALUM SCOTT holds up his Double Platinum award in the Philippines Recent Manila visitor Calum Scott opened up to the local press about his life before stardom. “I had my issues and troubles growing up. I had a really tough time identifying with my sexuality. When I started to tell people, especially my friends, they walked away from me. That made me scared for the rest of my life – to tell people – because they walk away from me,” he said. “But when I discovered music and I was able to put it (my feelings) into songs, it did make me feel a bit better.” Coming out about being gay gave him renewed confidence. Calum said many of his fans could relate to his story. “I was once terrified but now I’ve got these incredible fans,” he said. “I couldn’t be happier.” What is his message to those who remain closeted? In response, he cited his latest song, “No Matter What.” “The story of ‘No Matter What’ is the celebration of being confident. How my mom loves me and the sadness of how others walked away from me. It’s two sides of story.” “No Matter What” is the most emotional song he has written, the artist said. “Every time I sing it, I can never get to the end of the song without crying,” he divulged. “Just simply because it’s such a powerful song and so many LGBT people from the community can relate to that story – being terrified of speaking to your family, friends, loved ones, about your sexuality and thinking you’re gonna be abandoned and isolated.” “But the core value is not necessarily about coming out. It is also about the relationship between parents and child, and acceptance in general,” he added. “It doesn’t matter who you fall in love with or what you’re doing in your life like you didn’t make the grade you wanted, you didn’t past in the school you wanted, or you didn’t get the job you wanted – that message translates well to so many people.” Coming out is never easy, he said later. “Even if you are surrounded by love, coming out could still be the most terrifying feeling.” He then said anyone in that situation should “take his time.” “You are in no rush so don’t put any pressure on yourself that you need to do it right now or ever. You have to accept yourself for who you are first,” he said. “Second, surround yourself with people who love you for who you are. You should feel free and happy for who you are, take your time and love yourself.” Calum shot to stardom via “Britain’s Got Talent.” His stature was cemented upon the release of his audition song “Dancing On My Own” which accumulated more than 6.5 million sales worldwide, and reached five times platinum in Australia. It also saw him nominated in the Brit Award for British Single Of The Year. Calum is currently headlining his first Asian tour. He recently held a concert in Manila where he received a Gold and Double Platinum awards for his album.