Ali Sethi comes out as queer on Instagram with a 'Happy Pride' post, leaves the internet divided

New Delhi

Pakistani singer Ali Sethi, loved in the subcontinent for his soulful music, subtly came out as queer recently on Instagram. For years there have been rumours about Sethi's sexual preference but perhaps it was the first time that the singer himself spoke about it in public. 

Ali took to Instagram recently to mark the end of Pride month and shared a photo of his younger self and wrote, "hi little one. i know it’s hard sometimes when they tell you to not be you, but the very thing that makes you different will become a source of tremendous beauty and power. love awaits #happypride."

While this is the first time that Sethi has openly talked about his queer identity, it was known to many of his fans for years before. Sethi is perhaps the first Pakistani celebrity to openly celebrate his queer identity with the world. 

Nevertheless, Sethi's recent post has been lauded by the queer community. Fans of the artist have expressed that how his post has given them and their identities validation. 

" As a queer person, seeing any big celebrity coming out is an affirmation that I exist, my identity is valid and if someone famous can come out, so can I. Ali Sethi's Pasoori has gotten a new meaning for me today. My love for him as an artist has just grown many fold," said Akul, 23, an Ali Sethi fan.

In 2023, Sethi was briefly in the news for his rumoured marriage to Pakistani artist Salman Toor. The two who have been reportedly in a relationship for a long time, apparently tied the knot in New York. However, Sethi quickly slammed the news on social media clarifying he had not married Toor. "I am not married. I don't know who started the rumour. But maybe they should help market my new release," Sethi had written back then. 

The singer's post on Sunday has the internet divided. Many celebrated his post, some said they already knew and were surprised to realise that it was the first time that Ali Sethi was speaking out. Others criticised the Pasoori singer and trolled him with homophobic comments.

Sethi is known for his soulful hits like Chandni Raatein, Umran Langiyaan and Pasoori among others. Released in 2022, Pasoori's worldwide popularity catapulted Ali Sethi to superstardom. The song was the most streamed song on YouTube globally in 2022 and has been replicated in India for a Bollywood film.