Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for WE tvAndre King has decided to use his platform on Growing Up Hip Hop to come out of the closet.
The reality star, and friend of Angela Simmons, opens up about his sexuality on the series during tonight's episodes and E! News has the exclusive interview with Swizz Beatz's brother.
"I came to [my family] and I was just honest and I said, ‘You know what, I have something that's been laying on me and I just really want to tell you guys something,' and I just told them that I am gay and just identify as me. They were just really proud of me and happy and they all gave me so much love and just really said, you know, this is big. This is bigger than you doing your reality [show], this is your reality," King tells us. "That felt so good to get the love."
King shared that hearing his family's reaction was a "powerful" moment for him.
"It was so embracive and there was so much love, it felt like such a weight lifted off of me."
The actor and model also explains that his famous brother and sister-in-law Alicia Keys have been nothing short of supportive of his decision to come out as gay.
"I was just so nervous…I said I wish I would've come to them so much earlier and I probably wouldn't have gone through so many things that I've been through and they literally were like, ‘Dre, it's OK, we love you. We accept you no matter what. It's all good. It's all love.'"
King added, "I'm kind of glad that everything's happening now, everything happens for a reason and timing is everything…I feel like it's a new journey, it's a new chapter and it's just great things. There's been so much great feedback from my friends, my family and people that just know me. I can say it's a powerful thing that I'm doing and people are like you're going to inspire someone else to do the same thing, to come out and just let people know it's OK to be you. It's OK to be different. It's honestly dope to be different."
King also shared that Simmons has been nothing short of supportive throughout this experience for him.
"She is really the reason I'm even on the show. She has been a great friend and a great sister to me. She has been amazing."
And as for how Simmons is handling her newest role, the role of being a mom, King told us, "She's amazing with it. She loves it. I can tell that she is really enjoying motherhood."