On Monday, Sawyer Hemsley, co-founder of Crumbl, publicly came out as gay. This follows a surge of speculation about his sexuality on social media platforms.
Since launching the popular cookie franchise in 2017, Hemsley has faced online scrutiny from those who distort his identity and share misleading narratives. In response, he decided to speak out and share his truth in his own way.
“I’ve spent a lot of time coming to terms with my understanding of and acceptance of being gay,” he wrote alongside a heartfelt post featuring him with his dog. “It wasn’t easy for me to come to this realization, and it took me even longer to find the courage to say it out loud.”
This announcement came shortly after TikTok influencer Grant Gibbs sparked conversations about Hemsley’s personal life, particularly in a viral video where he stated, “that guy is very gay.”
Gibbs’ post has been viewed over 1.5 million times, fueling discussions and speculations regarding Hemsley’s sexuality across various social media channels.
“For most of my life, I’ve struggled with how to address questions and rumors,” Hemsley said. “It’s been quite overwhelming and at times frightening, but embracing this part of myself has also brought me peace, joy, and a sense of integrity that outweighs everything else.”
He acknowledges that revealing his truth is not a straightforward journey.
“I was raised with values I hold dear, and while I’ve worked to accept my identity, I remain thankful for my roots.”
Originally from southeastern Idaho, Hemsley served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Mexico during his time at university in Utah.
He hopes to promote “kindness, empathy, and love” through his openness about his sexuality.
“I’m genuinely grateful for those who have supported me and for the chance to share my story,” he expressed.
During his junior year, Hemsley and his cousin Jason McGowan came up with the idea for Crumbl Cookies.
They opened their first location in 2017, just a year before Hemsley earned his degree in communication studies, with minors in marketing and multimedia.
Interestingly, McGowan had no prior baking experience before they embarked on this sweet business venture.
According to Crumbl’s website, the company now boasts over 1,000 locations worldwide and sells a staggering one million cookies daily.
In addition to Crumbl, Hemsley has launched other businesses like Crust Club and Polar Gumiite Drive-In.
