NEEDTOBREATHE Frontman Denies Brother’s Childhood Abuse Allegations

Bear Rinehart, lead vocalist of the band NEEDTOBREATHE, has publicly responded to allegations made by his younger brother and former bandmate, Bo Rinehart, who accused Bear of sexually, physically, and emotionally abusing him during their childhood. Both brothers revealed they were sexually abused by a teenage counselor at a Christian camp, a trauma they did not receive support for until adulthood. Bear expressed deep hurt over the allegations, denying being an abuser and emphasizing his love for Bo, while stating the need to protect his own family and correct what he described as a misrepresentation of the truth. He acknowledged a counseling session five years ago where he took responsibility for causing pain during their adolescence but denied abusive behavior. Bo has been open about his abuse history since leaving the band in 2020 and shared his story as part of his belief in God's grace and plans for healing. Bear hopes for eventual reconciliation and has stressed the importance of addressing their shared trauma with respect and privacy.