Grammy award-winning Christian rock singer Michael Tait admitted the drug abuse and sexual assault accusations against him are “mostly true,” in his first public comments since the bombshell claims surfaced.
Tait, the former frontman for Newsboys and DC Talk, said he was living a double life as he allegedly abused hardcore substances with younger men before making unwanted advances toward them, according to Christian media outlet The Roys Report.
The 59-year-old addressed the accusations in an Instagram post titled, “My Confession — June 10, 2025.”
“Recent reports of my reckless and destructive behavior, including drug and alcohol abuse and sexual activity are sadly, largely true,” Tait wrote. “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,” he added.
The report, published June 4, featured sourcing from 50 people, including three men who claim they were targets of Tait’s non-consensual sexual advances when they were in their early 20s.
Tait allegedly befriended multiple people while on tour, including three men in 2004, 2010 and 2014, respectively.
The men claim Tait offered them alcohol or cocaine and later touched them non-consensually, according to The Roys Report.
Tait, who abruptly left Newsboys in January because he was “living a double life,” said he split with the award-winning group “to get help.”
“I was not healthy, physically or spiritually, and was tired of leading a double life,” he said.
Tait revealed that he is sober after he spent six weeks at a Utah treatment center, which he insists saved his life from “ultimate destruction.”
The Washington, DC native said he lied throughout his career as he kept his drug abuse and sex life a secret from everyone he worked and lived with.
“I’m ashamed to admit that for years I have lied and deceived my family, friends, fans and even mislef my bandmates about aspects of my life,” Tait said. “I was, for the most part, living two distinctly different lives. I was not the same person on stage Sunday night as I was at home on Monday.”
The current members of Newsboys — Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, Jeff Frankenstein and Adam Agee — were left “shattered” over the allegations against Tait.
“Last night our hearts were shattered when we read the news alleging drug abuse and inappropriate sexual actions by our former lead singer, Michael Tait,” the band wrote on Instagram Tuesday. “First and foremost, our hearts are with the victims who have bravely shared their stories. If you are a victim, we urge you to come forward. We absolutely do not condone any form of sexual assault.”
The band was aware of Tait’s “double life” but said they never imagined how bad it could be.
Tait is a four-time Grammy winner, taking the award for Best Rock Gospel Album in 1994, 1997, 1998 and 2002.
He was a nominee for the award at the 2005 show.
Tait joined Newsboys in 2009 after having been a founding member of the Christian rap trio DC Talk from 1988 to 2001.
After the allegations were made public, Newsboys and DC Talk songs were pulled from the US’s largest Christian radio network, K-Love, according to the Christian Post.
“We are aware of the allegations against Michael Tait, former frontman of the Newsboys,” a K-LOVE spokeswoman told the outlet. “As the investigation proceeds, our prayers are with all those involved. In the meantime, our Programming Team is resting Newsboys and DC Talk music on our stream.”
Tait admitted to being on a path of repentance and started a journey of healing with clinical health professionals, counselors and family.
“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,” he said. “I have even accepted the thought that God may be the only One who ultimately and completely forgives me.”
