Lead Christian Singer Admits To Scandalous Conduct
Michael Tait, known for his roles as the former lead vocalist of the Christian rock band Newsboys and a founding member of the Grammy-winning group DC Talk, released a public statement Tuesday acknowledging a history of harmful personal behavior, including substance abuse and inappropriate interactions with men.
In a candid message posted on Instagram, the 59-year-old musician admitted that many of the recent allegations made against him are, in his words, “sadly, largely true.”
“For roughly 20 years, I struggled with addiction—using cocaine and drinking excessively—and I engaged in inappropriate and unwanted physical contact with men,” he wrote. “There’s no excuse for the way I lived. I’m deeply ashamed of the decisions I made and recognize them for what they are: sin.”
Tait went on to admit that he lived a double life for many years, misleading those closest to him, including his family, supporters, and fellow musicians. “The person I was on stage didn’t match who I was in private,” he said. “I betrayed the values I was taught by my devout parents and caused deep sorrow to the God I professed to serve. But for the past six months, by God’s grace, I’ve been trying to live authentically, broken and dependent on His mercy.”
His confession comes shortly after The Roys Report published an investigative piece detailing accounts from three men who accused Tait of sexual misconduct during separate encounters dating back to 2004. The report also chronicled ongoing allegations of substance abuse during his touring career. While Tait noted there were some inaccuracies in the details, he did not deny the overall truth of the claims.
He disclosed that after stepping down unexpectedly from Newsboys in January, he entered a rehabilitation program in Utah, where he spent six weeks addressing addiction and emotional issues. “Since then, I’ve remained sober, though the road ahead remains long,” he shared.
Tait also issued a heartfelt apology: “To those I’ve hurt, I want to express my deepest regret. I’m sorry. I understand the pain I’ve caused and will carry that burden for the rest of my life.”
He credited a small group of counselors, loved ones, and spiritual mentors with helping him through this period. Quoting Psalm 51, he expressed a desire for inner renewal: “Create in me a clean heart, O God.”
Acknowledging the impact of his actions on others’ faith, he added, “If I’ve caused anyone to doubt or turn away from Christ because of my failures, that breaks my heart. I take full responsibility for the poor example I set.”
This marks Tait’s first official response since the June 3 exposé. In that report, the three men—each 22 at the time of the alleged incidents—described similar experiences involving grooming, alcohol, and unwanted physical contact. Over 50 sources contributed to the investigation, reinforcing claims of ongoing misconduct and addiction.
The response from the Christian music community has been swift. K-LOVE, a major Christian radio network, announced it would stop airing songs by Newsboys and DC Talk, with other stations in North America and Australia following suit.
The remaining members of Newsboys—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—issued a joint statement expressing sorrow, anger, and a sense of betrayal. They said Tait admitted in January that he had been concealing aspects of his personal life from them.
Adam Agee, now serving as the group’s lead vocalist, added in a Facebook group that while the band had occasionally heard rumors, they were never able to confirm anything. “Whenever concerns came up, we’d ask Tait directly, and he always denied them. In early January, he called a meeting, and the next day, we realized we were now a four-member band.”
Tait concluded his statement by acknowledging the seriousness of his past and committing to ongoing personal growth: “I understand that my actions have consequences. I’m stepping away from public life to focus on genuine repentance and recovery, away from the stage and the spotlight.”