Melissa Etheridge's Son Came Out Straight to Her

Melissa Etheridge recently shared a poignant and unexpected memory of her late son, Beckett. During an appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, the singer recounted how Beckett, at just 11 years old, approached her to announce that he believed he was straight. Etheridge humorously recalled her initial surprise and reassurance to her son.

Beckett, who tragically died in May 2025 at the age of 21 due to complications from opioid addiction, is remembered by Etheridge as someone who 'came [into the world] who they are anyway.' The two-time Grammy winner, who herself is a lesbian, emphasized the beauty in watching children discover their identities.

Etheridge has been open about the devastation of losing Beckett. In a statement released in May 2025, she expressed her heartbreak and joined the many families affected by the opioid crisis. She later discussed the immense struggle of parenting a child battling addiction and the difficult realization that she could not save him.

In honor of Beckett, Etheridge has dedicated efforts to combating addiction. She released the song "Call You" on her 2026 album, Rise, as a tribute. Furthermore, she established The Etheridge Foundation to fund research for new addiction treatments and provide support to affected families.