Khalid is taking a stand after his ex, Hugo Almonte, made some serious claims about their past relationship. In a new video released on November 25, the 26-year-old R&B singer responded to accusations of abuse, drug use, and “paying for sex,” which Almonte had made in a Rolling Stone interview and on social media.
“This is a long video, so bear with me,” Khalid captioned the clip, setting the stage for an emotional and direct response.
“I feel like it’s important to speak my side of things so we can move on,” Khalid began, explaining his decision to finally address the issues publicly. “I know I don’t have to, but here we are.”
The timing of the video comes just days after Almonte’s explosive claims. In a November 22 interview with Rolling Stone, Almonte accused Khalid of using his influence to silence him after their breakup. He also suggested that Khalid had attempted to out him before he was ready.
The allegations intensified when Almonte tweeted about an encounter involving “pink cocaine,” a powerful and dangerous party drug. He hinted that Khalid had given him the substance, and also implied that the singer had a history of questionable behavior.
Khalid quickly shot down these allegations, insisting, “I’ve never done cocaine a day in my life. I don’t put myself in those situations. I’m not around those people. I smoke weed, and I drink a little, but that’s it.”
As for the accusations of escorting, Khalid was equally firm. “I’ve never paid for sex in my life. I’ve never paid anyone to date me, never paid for a relationship,” he asserted.
In the video, Khalid also took the time to address the claim that someone had broken into his house. “I’ve never publicly accused anyone of breaking into my home,” he clarified. “The only people who even know about that are my close circle of friends.”
Khalid further explained the relationship with Almonte, saying it was someone he had dated “four or five years ago,” and revealing that their last conversation occurred four years ago. “I don’t know why he’s doing this. Mental health is real, but I haven’t seen or spoken to this guy in years,” Khalid said, seeming perplexed by the sudden resurfacing of old allegations.
The singer, who has long been known for his laid-back and down-to-earth persona, went on to explain that the abuse allegations were especially triggering. “It’s really crazy to be painted as some kind of manipulative abuser when the reality is the complete opposite,” Khalid expressed with emotion.
Almonte has yet to respond to PEOPLE‘s request for comment.
As the video came to a close, Khalid made sure to clarify that the upcoming music he has planned is not some kind of “publicity stunt” linked to the drama. “This music was supposed to come out before all of this,” he shared, putting emphasis on the fact that his artistic output remains unaffected by the turmoil.
Khalid’s emotional statement follows his very public coming out on November 22, when he used social media to announce he is gay. With a simple rainbow emoji and an exclamation point, he made his sexuality clear, adding in a follow-up tweet, “I am! And that’s okay.”
Khalid also addressed being outed against his will, telling his followers, “I got outted, and the world still keeps turning. I’m not ashamed of who I am.” His message was a reminder that while his sexuality isn’t anyone’s business, he’s proud and at peace with himself.
In a culture where celebrities often feel pressured to keep their personal lives under wraps, Khalid’s response marks an important moment of self-acceptance and resilience, while also making it clear that he’s ready to move forward — both in his personal life and care
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