A well-known gospel singer has issued what he called a “confession” about his past behavior.
Michael Tait, 59, made the statement following an investigation published last week by The Roys Report. Following interviews with dozens of people, it alleged Tait was a drug user for many years. It also said he had made sexually inappropriate advances toward several men in their early 20s.
Three men detailed encounters with Tait in 2004, 2010 and 2014. They said they’d consumed alcohol with Tait, fallen asleep, and awoke to find him fondling their genitals.
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Tait found success as a founder member of the Christian rap trio DC Talk in the late 80s. The band won four Grammy awards before splitting in 2000. Tait then became lead singer of another Christian act, The Newsboys, in 2009. They also scooped Grammys. He announced he was leaving the group last January.
Tait responds
On Instagram, Tait said he disputed some of the details of the Roys Report but said it was “largely true.”
He said that for two decades he’d been using drugs, “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 wrote.
“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 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 dependence on a loving and merciful God.”
Tait apparently quit The Newsboys in January to go into a rehab facility for six weeks. He said, “I have been clean and sober since, though I still have lots of hard work ahead of me.”
Support for Tr*mp
Tait, a graduate of Liberty University has appeared at several Evangelicals For Tr*mp rallies. In 2020, he was among those who “laid hands” on Tr*mp and prayed the President would win that year’s election.
Tait said in his statement, “I have hurt so many people in so many ways, and I will live with that shameful reality the rest of my life. I want to say I’m sorry to everyone I have hurt. I am truly sorry.”
“To the extent my sinful behavior has caused anyone to lose respect or faith or trust in me, I understand, deserve, and accept that,” he added. “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.”
Last week, following the Tait exposé, his former band members in The Newsboys issued a statement. They expressed “horror, heartbreak, and anger.” They felt “deceived” by Tait, who they said admitted in January to “living a double life.”
Several Christian music stations have reportedly pulled music by DC Talk and The Newsboys in the wake of details of Tait’s misconduct.
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