Since Crystal Bowersox became the season 9 runner up of American Idol, she mostly stayed away from the media. She focused exclusively on defining herself as an artist. However, around Christmas, she released a single that caused many to once again take notice of the Idol contestant. The song, called “Coming Out for Christmas,” is about revealing your sexuality to your family and friends over Christmas. One line of Bowersox’s song reads, “man it’s cold but to hold your hand, I’m taking off my gloves. As memories stoke in chimney smoke, pine and cinnamon. Finally I will introduce my love. Oh, as not just my friend.” Most of the chorus just repeats “I’m Coming Out for Christmas.”

These lyrics, and the song, sparked rumors that Bowersox might be a lesbian. Since October 2010, Bowersox has been married to Brian Walker. The two met six years prior, while performing at the Uncommon Ground cafe in Chicago, IL. In May of 2013, they announced their decision to divorce. Bowersox has a child from a previous relationship.

Bowersox, soon after releasing the song, tweeted confirming her sexuality.

Let me set the record straight. I’m Bi. Pun intended.

— Crystal Bowersox (@crystalbowersox) November 27, 2013

After the song’s release, Bowersox said she received an overwhelming amount of positive responses about the song and her coming out. She told Greg In Hollywood that:

“It’s something I struggled with in high school, trying to come out to my family and my parents. It’s just something you didn’t talk about.’

When asked about her worries of being outed on Idol, she had this to say:

“I was still kind of exploring myself and what I wanted out of life. I was told from a young age that I was going to go to hell so it’s something I was working through at the time.”

Bowersox also told Greg in Hollywood that Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’s song Same Love, that features Mary Lambert, inspired her to write a song about the struggles of coming out. She hopes her coming out inspires others who are still afraid to admit their sexuality, especially those in high school.

Bowersox also went through a major look transformation over the holidays. She cut off her dreadlocks and straightened her hair.

Image via Twitter