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Michael Tait, the former lead singer of Newsboys, released a statement Tuesday afternoon confessing that allegations of sexual assault and drug and alcohol abuse are "sadly, largely true."
Allegations date back two decades
In a statement titled My Confession, Tait admitted to a pattern of destructive behaviour spanning two decades. This follows an explosive report by The Roys Report, which included accusations from three men who say Tait sexually assaulted them at different times going back as far as 2004. The story has sent shockwaves through the Christian music industry.
Tait had declined to respond to multiple interview requests from The Roys Report over several years. In his written statement, he said, “Recent reports of my reckless and destructive behaviour, including drug and alcohol abuse and sexual activity, are sadly, largely true.”
He confessed to long-term cocaine use, excessive drinking, and engaging in unwanted sexual contact with men. “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. While disputing some details, Tait said he does not challenge the core of the allegations.
Band says they were kept in the dark
In January, just two days before the second leg of the Newsboys' tour was to begin, Tait abruptly stepped down from the band. No reason was given publicly at the time, and the group remained silent.
After the TRR report was published on June 5, the band released a statement saying Tait had admitted to “living a double life” at the time of his departure. However, they claimed they were unaware of the full extent of his actions and said in last week's statement, “We never imagined that it could be this bad.”
Tait now says he left the band to seek help. “I was not healthy, physically or spiritually, and was tired of leading a double life,” he wrote. He entered a treatment centre in Utah for six weeks and says he has been clean and sober since then.
The Roys Report had characterized Tait’s conduct as “Nashville’s worst-kept secret,” noting that many in the industry were reluctant to speak publicly. That also caused many people to publically doubt that bandmates could not have known about his behaviour.
Just days before the Newsboys' Canadian tour was to begin, the dates were suddenly cancelled. FaithLive, the promoter for the tour, accused the band of withholding information about Tait’s departure and said his absence had left dwindling ticket sales. At the time, Newsboys accused the promoter of failing to live up to contractual obligations.
Apologies and a plea for forgiveness
In his statement, Tait acknowledged lying to those around him for years, including family, friends, fans and his bandmates. “I was not the same person on stage Sunday night that I was at home on Monday,” he wrote.
He also expressed remorse for betraying the Christian values with which he was raised. “I was violating everything I was raised to believe by my God-fearing Dad and Mom,” he said. “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 apologized to everyone he has hurt and said he understands if people are unable to forgive him. “I have hurt so many people in so many ways, and I will live with that shameful reality the rest of my life,” he wrote.
He also urged others not to lose faith in Christ because of his actions.
“To the extent my sinful behaviour has caused anyone to lose respect or faith or trust in me, I understand, deserve, and accept that,” he said. “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.”
Tait's full statement via Instagram:
My Confession
Michael Tait
June 10, 2025
Recent reports of my reckless and destructive behavior, including drug and alcohol abuse and sexual activity are sadly, largely true. 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.
When I abruptly left Newsboys in January I did so to get help. I was not healthy, physically or spiritually, and was tired of leading a double life. I spent six weeks at a treatment center in Utah, receiving help that may have saved my life from ultimate destruction. I have been clean and sober since, though I still have lots of hard work ahead of me.
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, for the most part, living two distinctly different lives. 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.
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. I have even accepted the thought that God may be the only One who ultimately and completely forgives me. Still, I want to say I'm sorry to everyone I have hurt. I am truly sorry. It is my hope and prayer that all those I have hurt will receive healing, mercy, and hope from the Merciful Healer and Hope-Giver.
Even before this recent news became public, I had started on a path to health, healing, and wholeness, thanks to a small circle of clinical health professionals, loving family, caring friends, and wise counselors—all of whom saw my brokenness and surrounded me with love, grace, and prayer. Sin is a terrible thing, taking us where we don't want to go; keeping us longer than we want to stay; and costing us more than we want to pay. I accept the consequences of my sin and am committed to continuing the hard work of repentance and healing—work I will do quietly and privately, away from the stage and the spotlight.
To the extent my sinful behavior has caused anyone to lose respect or faith or trust in me, I understand, deserve, and accept that. 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—for He alone is ultimately the only hope for any of us.
King David's prayer of repentance in Psalm 51 has been my prayer this year:
"Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness...
Blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me...
Create in me a new heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."