Crumbl Cookies founder comes out after online speculation: ‘People tried to define me’
Crumbl Cookies co-founder Sawyer Hemsley came out in August as gay. (@sawyerhemsley/Instagram)
Crumbl Cookies co-founder Sawyer Hemsley came out in August as gay. (@sawyerhemsley/Instagram)
Crumbl Cookies co-founder Sawyer Hemsley has come out as gay following online speculation, telling his followers, “People tried to define me.”
Hemsley and Jason McGowan co-founded Crumbl Cookies in 2017 and have since opened “more than 1,000 locations across the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada,” as per the New York Times. The brand has had high-profile collaborations with Olivia Rodrigo, the Jonas Brothers and the Kardashian-Jenner family.
The company’s Chief Branding Officer, Hemsley, took to Instagram on Monday (25 August) to address the rampant discussions of his sexuality, after videos and threads were shared on social media.
Hemsley said: “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.
“The truth is, over the past few years, I’ve come to understand and accept that I’m gay,” he said. “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.
“For most of my life, I didn’t have the clarity to answer the questions or respond to the rumours. 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.”
He drew on his Mormon upbringing in Southeastern Idaho, adding: “I grew up with values and beliefs that I still deeply love and respect, which made this journey more complicated. But I remain grateful for my foundation, even as I’ve worked to embrace this truth about myself.
“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,” he continued.
“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.”
An interview with Utah State Magazine in 2022 reflected on Hemsley’s early life. “Growing up in Southeastern Idaho, Sawyer Hemsley served as the student body president at Preston High School.”
The publication continued: “He got involved in student politics again at Utah State after serving a mission in Mexico for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but following a stint as student events vice president, Hemsley took an even bigger swing and ran for student body president in the spring of 2017.”
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