E! News host Justin Sylvester offered an impassioned response to TikTok star Grant Gibbs outing Crumbl Cookie cofounder Sawyer Hemsley.
“Outing someones [SIC] sexuality online is not okay. Wasn’t … is not … will never be OKAY,” Sylvester, 38, wrote via Instagram on Friday, August 29. “I don’t care what political party / religion / affiliation.”
The drama started when Gibbs, who has 229,000 TikTok followers, made a video suggesting that Hemsley was “gay to the gods” after watching him speak.
“There’s a genetic component to sexuality mama, and let’s just say he has the gene and there’s no denying evolution, babe. Oh my God, that’s a gay man!” Gibbs told his followers. “That’s a gay man and I’ll say it to his face. There’s no denying it. Holy s*** … I don’t care if I’m outing the CEO with millions of dollars, I don’t give a f*** but that’s a gay man.”
The video amassed more than 20 million views and 1.7 million “likes” as it stirred up debate over whether there is ever a valid reason to assume or out someone’s sexuality.
Sylvester clarified that he was not necessarily “defending the Crumbl cookie man” as much as opposing the tactic of outing entirely.
“No shade but ‘I don’t know this man, I’ve never met that man — sorry to this man’ — I’m just saying it so it’s doesn’t become a TREND ON TIK TOK in 2 days and EVERYONE feels empowered to ‘righteously out’ someone,” he argued. “Take it from someone who has been outted [SIC], it’s scary and dark. I know people who have TAKEN THEIR OWN LIVES over things like this so think twice is all.”
Several Bravoverse personalities showed their support for Sylvester’s take, with The Real Housewives of New Jersey’s Margaret Josephs, The Real Housewives of Dubai’s Chanel Ayan and Shahs of Sunset alum Mercedes Javid all backing him up in the comments section.
“Your friendly reminder that [speculating] ‘isnt she… or he..’ [is outing],” Javid, 53, replied. “When did people forget that is outing?”
Sylvester previously opened up about his coming out journey on Today With Jenna and Friends in June 2022, when he explained that he knew he was “different” from age 5. He recalled enduring so much homophobic bullying as a kid that he used to “run through the woods” to escape other children “tormenting” him.
Justin Sylvester on ‘Today’ in January 2025. Nathan Congleton/NBC
“My whole family knew that I was being bullied because I was gay and I think they were just in denial about it. I was in denial about it,” he remembered. “Growing up that way, it’s my one regret in life. I wish I had not only accepted myself earlier, but I wish I wouldn’t have denied who I was.”
For his part, Hemsley responded to the viral debate with a poignant post on Tuesday, August 26.
“Over the past little while, there have been people online trying to define me, twist things, and share conversations in ways that feel harmful. Instead of letting others write my story, I want to share it in my own words,” Hemsley, 33, wrote via Instagram. “The truth is, over the past few years I’ve come to understand and accept that I’m gay. It’s taken me a long time to really process this part of myself and even longer to feel comfortable enough to say it out loud.”
He went on, “For most of my life, I didn’t have the clarity to answer the questions or respond to the rumors. Coming to terms with it has been overwhelming and, at times, scary — but it has also brought me peace, joy, and authenticity that I wouldn’t trade for anything.”
The Crumbl co-founder mentioned that his journey was “complicated” because he grew up with “values and beliefs” that he still “deeply” respects.
“I remain grateful for my foundation, even as I’ve worked to embrace this truth about myself,” Hemsley explained. “I know some people may have questions or even judgments, but my hope is that kindness, empathy, and love will lead the way. I’ve learned so much through this process — about strength, compassion, and the importance of living authentically.”
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The CEO concluded, “At the end of the day, I’m deeply thankful: for the opportunities I’ve had, for the people who support me, and for the chance to live and share my story. It’s a journey of growth and honesty, and one I’ll never stop being grateful for.”
Gibbs released a follow-up video on Tuesday to say he was “genuinely sorry” for “clocking [Hemsley’s] tea.” The TikTok star acknowledged that it was “nasty of me” to speculate about someone’s sexuality, yet Gibbs stressed that he “didn’t mean for it to end up like this.”
“This was not my intention to ever out somebody this way, but girl, I’m so happy for you and so proud of you,” he added. “You are hot and you’re going to live your best open, out, gay life mama. You are chiseled, you are cut, like, it’s going to be such a gag. But you guys, I didn’t mean for this to happen the way it did. I’m so sorry, Sawyer.”
