TikTok Creator Grant Gibbs Responds to Backlash Over Outing Sawyer Hemsley

TikTok creator Grant Gibbs found himself at the center of a major controversy after his viral speculation about Crumbl Cookies co-founder Sawyer Hemsley’s sexuality led to unexpected consequences. The situation escalated when Hemsley felt compelled to publicly come out, raising questions about privacy and responsibility in the social media age.

Grant Gibbs Controversy: TikTok Creator Faces Backlash

On August 22, Grant Gibbs posted a TikTok video that would change both his and Sawyer Hemsley’s lives. The clip, which accumulated 19 million views, featured Gibbs making direct claims on his TikTok account  about the Crumbl co-founder’s sexuality.  Cosmopolitan highlighted the influencer’s captions, saying, “That’s a gay man and I’ll say it to his face,” Gibbs declared in the video, expressing surprise that Hemsley was reportedly straight.

In addition, he also added,  “Y’all, I’m dying 😭 can someone fill me in on the tea with him, bc I quite literally have never seen a gayer man 😭.” While Gibbs is known for comedic content as part of the duo A Twink and a Redhead, this particular video took on a different tone than his usual material. The massive reach of Gibbs’ platform, with over 218,000 followers, meant his observations quickly became public speculation on an unprecedented scale.

What might have been casual commentary transformed into a viral phenomenon that would have lasting consequences for both creators involved. Rather than allowing the initial video to fade, Grant Gibbs decided to post a follow-up video the next day. This second clip revealed more about his mindset and motivations, adding fuel to the growing controversy. In the follow-up, Gibbs explained he believed Hemsley’s sexuality was already known to the public. 

The TikTok creator went further, suggesting that while he doesn’t think people should be outed, he didn’t feel particularly bad about his mistake because Hemsley was “literally a co-founder of many companies, and I think he can survive.” This argument that wealth somehow makes personal violations more acceptable didn’t resonate well with viewers. Gibbs also asserted that Hemsley was “out to the people who need to know” but was hiding his sexuality “in a money way,” calling this approach “nasty.” These comments revealed frustration and judgment that extended beyond casual observation.

Sawyer Hemsley’s Forced Coming Out Statement

The pressure from viral speculation ultimately led Sawyer Hemsley to make a decision he might not have been ready for. He posted a lengthy statement on his Instagram addressing the situation. His words were carefully chosen and deeply personal. “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,” Hemsley said. 

Hemsley explained his journey: “The truth is, over the past few years I’ve come to understand and accept that I am gay. It’s taken me a long time to really process this part of myself and even longer to feel comfortable enough to say out loud.” The entrepreneur also spoke about his Mormon background: “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.”

Notably, Hemsley never directly mentioned Grant Gibbs or the TikTok videos in his statement, choosing instead to focus on his own story. Grant Gibbs knew he needed to respond. In what was hopefully his final word on the matter, Gibbs posted an apology video on TikTok on August 26. The clip showed a more subdued version of the typically energetic creator.  Us Weekly posted his video saying, “This was not my intention to ever out somebody in this way, but girl, I am so happy for you,” Gibbs said, addressing Hemsley directly.

Gibbs confessed that his original video was “nasty” and admitted wrongdoing: “I’m sorry. I admit what I did was wrong. Like, at the end of the day, it was wrong.” However, he continued to maintain that he was joining “a conversation already being had” online and claimed he was only referencing public information. In addition, while he apologized, he believed Hemsley would “be fine” because “you got money, you got beautiful homes, beautiful clothes.” 

Final Thoughts

For Sawyer Hemsley, this controversy likely accelerated a personal timeline he wasn’t ready to share publicly. The fact that he felt compelled to make his statement “in his own words” rather than let “others define” him speaks to the pressure he must have been feeling. The reaction to this drama was mixed, with many criticizing Grant Gibbs for his handling of the situation.  For someone like Hemsley, who comes from a religious background and runs major business ventures, being forced out of the closet could impact everything from family relationships to business partnerships.