Australian Idol’s Anthony Callea on coming out to his parents as gay

Anthony Callea has revealed the heartbreaking struggle he experienced coming out to his parents.

Writing in his new memoir, Behind The Voice: Dietro La Voce, as excerpted by stellar Magazine, the 40-year-old says he was consumed with ‘shame’ making the confession.

The Australian Idol star, who rose to fame in the second season of the competition, revealed that she actually auditioned for the show’s first season in 2003, but fled the studio, consumed with anxiety.

That same night, he hid in a hotel room, terrified that he had left his parents a note revealing that he was gay before leaving for the audition.

‘At this point, yes, I knew I was gay, but I couldn’t even say the word out loud. I couldn’t even look in the mirror and say, “I’m gay.” The shame and embarrassment were too much and I hated myself,’ he writes.

Anthony’s parents panicked at his disappearance, and when he finally returned home, he was met with a tender understanding.

“My dad came in and sat on the edge of the bed. He was very quiet, and I was so sure that this bombshell that he had just dropped, this fact that I was gay, would let them down on me.

“Finally, he just said, ‘There’s nothing wrong with you, Anthony. You haven’t hurt anyone. You haven’t done anything wrong. We love you. What can Mommy and I do to help you?’

‘I can’t describe how this made me feel; he gives me goosebumps reviving him.’

Anthony married actor Tim Campbell in 2014 after seven years of dating.

He confirmed his sexuality in 2007, three years after coming in second to Casey Donovan on the second season of Australian Idol.

He told fans via his website: ‘For some, ‘coming out’ isn’t a big deal. for me it was

‘Others say you should be honest with yourself. Well, it’s easier said than done.