Newsboys Break Silence on Report about Michael Tait Stating They’re ‘Horrified, Heartbroken, and Angry’
The four members of the Newsboys released a statement Thursday addressing allegations of sexual misconduct against former frontman Michael Tait, saying they are “horrified” and “heartbroken” at the report and were told by him in January he “had been living a double-life.”
Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee released the joint statement after an investigative report by The Roys Report cited three men who alleged Tait befriended them when they were in their 20s and made non-consensual sexual advances on them. Frankenstein and Phillips have been with the band since the early 1990s, while Davis has been with the band since that time, minus a five-year hiatus in the 2000s. Agee joined the band in 2023.
“Last night, our hearts were shattered when we read the news alleging drug abuse and inappropriate sexual actions by our former lead singer, Michael Tait. While Michael has not addressed these allegations, we are devastated even by the implications,” the statement said.
“First and foremost, our hearts are with the victims who have bravely shared their stories. If you are a victim, we urge you to come forward. We absolutely do not condone any form of sexual assault.
“The four of us are husbands and fathers. Between the four of us, we have fourteen children. Our wives and children have made many sacrifices while we have dedicated our lives to playing music together that glorifies God. We are horrified, heartbroken, and angry at this report, and in many ways, we feel as if we and our families have been deceived for the last fifteen years.
“When he left the band in January, Michael confessed to us and our management that he ‘had been living a double-life’ but we never imagined that it could be this bad,” the statement concluded.
Although Tait was the face of the band for younger fans, older fans grew up with a different frontman, Peter Furler, who left the band in 2009 after decades of shaping its identity. The original lead singer was John James, who fronted the band during its early rise in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s before departing in 1997.
Related Article: Former Newsboys Frontman Michael Tait Accused of Sexual Misconduct by Multiple Men
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Terry Wyatt/Stringer
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.
Originally published June 05, 2025.
