Australian gay country music singer Michael Waugh married his partner, TJ, over the weekend in a beautiful ceremony.
“Reader, I married him.” Michael and TJ announced on social media after tying the knot.
The pair shared that they were engaged in April.
Celebrant Zena shared on social media that Waugh sang a version of Tina Turner’s ‘Simply the Best’ to TJ during his vows.
“Whenever Michael is having a moment, TJ tells him to look in the mirror and sing ‘simply the best’ till he can take in this unquestionable truth,” it read.
“So, during their vows, Michael sang The Best to TJ.”
“We then shared that he’d recorded his version and it had been released on Spotify for their wedding day.
“So darn sweet, right?!
“Oh mate, it’s the tip of the iceberg of the symbolism and surprises their ceremony held.
“Utter joy in every way, moment upon moment I tell ya.”
It’s a beautiful version of the song by the award-winning singer, and what a special surprise on their wedding day.
‘You can’t be what you can’t see’
Waugh revealed his relationship with TJ in 2022 at the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
Unable to attend in person due to COVID, Waugh publicly came out with TJ by his side via video link.
He did this while accepting his award for Heritage Song of the Year via video.
“I wanted to walk the red carpet with my boyfriend TJ,” Waugh wrote on socials after completing isolation.
“I experienced a great deal of homophobia as a young person (not from my family – but from others) and I was carefully taught to hate parts of myself.”
“Tonight was an opportunity for me to walk in the spotlight, holding hands with a man that I love.”
Waugh wrote that “it is a testament to the inclusivity, support and care of the Country Music Association of Australia that I felt empowered to do that.”
“It is because of the support of this community that I feel that I can be visible.”
“It might have been easier for me to do this earlier had I seen more people like me doing something like this.
“They say you can’t be what you can’t see.
“So, I hope that someone sees our amazing suits (thanks to Reigner Clothing), and knows that it’s safe to be authentically yourself walking down a red carpet.
“Even if circumstances mean that the red carpet is a brown rug in Bundaberg.
“Thanks, Tamworth, for creating such a safe space to experience love.”
Source: Instagram‘I am so thankful for growing up in the country’
Waugh’s country music career broke out in the mid-2010s, becoming a fast favourite in the industry and with fans.
Before coming out publicly at the Golden Guitars, TJ had updated his relationship status on Facebook.
The unexpectedly public post was greeted with a wave of love and support.
“By the time I looked at it, there were 200 people who had responded, and there were all these people from Country music and fans who’d already gone ‘This is amazing’ ‘So proud’…” he said.
He had previously alluded to his personal experiences being gay in songs Paul, The Asphalt and the Oval and Mary Lou.
In Mary Lou, he sings of being shamed as a four-year-old boy dancing to Humphrey B. Bear and ABBA records.
“I think that a lot of those records are about making peace with growing up gay in a small country town,” Waugh shared.
“I experienced a lot of homophobia – and I think I internalised a lot of fear and self-hate. At the same time, I am so thankful for growing up in the country.”
Since coming out, Waugh has continued to share the struggles he faced while growing up as a closeted queer person.
In an industry like country music, which is filled with stereotypes, it’s a powerful and authentic thing.
On finding love with TJ and sharing how they first met, Waugh’s face lights up.
“It was one of those moments of deep chemistry and deep kind of connection intellectually and emotionally. Just kind of a fireworks moment when we first met,” he said, smiling.
“I found that special person who I love, and it was like, well, I don’t want to hide him away.”
Congratulations, Michael and TJ.
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I am “TAP!! TAP!! TAPPING!!” my feet at this joyous news. I have become a country music fan via two very distinctly diverse, out contemporary, gay musicians. 1 is definitely Mr. Orville Peck! The other is our home grown Michael Waugh. It was through a publication like QNews or DNA. That drew my attention, 2-3 years ago already. I have been a fan ever since. I love the day to day, diary like account of life experience, expressed in Michael’s songs. “The Asphalt & The Oval” is probably my most replayed. But deserves CD & LP pressing. I also was a fan of Humphrey B. Bear & *ABBA when I was 5 years old. The most identifiable lyric in ANY song I have ever had in my library! I shall left you guess which *4, I never went into ANY closet over. However I still have affinity for “the Funny Ol’ Fellow, (called / named) Humphrey. Anyway I Raise my glass to the newlyweds! Michael & TJ! I look forward to future music from Michael, can dispel the assumption, there can never be positive, exuberant, upbeat happy songs, cannot be written in the Country genre. The new version of TINA’s “The Best” is another Top Shelf recording. “Typical Male” or an ironic rendition of “Show Some Respect”, would have been, my hopeful selections. If I were in either their shoes , or suit tails. But that’s just speaking as a super .
Super fan.