Chris Daughtry's Wife Comes Out as Bisexual In New Song with 'American Idol' Alum

When Chris Daughtry released his "Cage to Rattle" album last year, he revealed the track "As You Are" was one that was close to his heart. Now we know why.

The song was written by his wife, Deanna, and today the couple revealed the song's message is about her own struggle to embrace her bisexuality.

First penned as a personal poem, Deanna gave the words to her husband in 2015. "She basically said, 'If this inspires you, feel free to use it,'" Chris recalled to PEOPLE.

Though the song is her official coming out to the general public, Chris and a "handful" of people already knew Deanna had relationships with both men and women before meeting the "American Idol" alum. The two tied the knot in 2000, long before he appeared on the show and placed fourth in 2006.

"I didn't care," said Daughtry. "I didn't feel threatened. I wanted her to be happy with who she was and not hide that or be ashamed."

But embracing her sexuality didn't come easy to Deanna, who said she "built these walls up to protect myself, I was creating a prison, and I couldn't experience life and people couldn't fully experience me - and it's all based on fear."

"It's very important for people to know what the song is about and where it really came from," Chris says now. "Otherwise we're not being authentic with the song."

Added Deanna, "I understand the fear of 'what if someone finds out and they're going to reject me?' Those are fears that heterosexual people don't need to worry about, and I've walked it."