Le’Andria Johnson had a lot to say about the church and Christians this past week. She took to Facebook Live to vent her truest thoughts on the “business” side of things, calling out robbery, hypocrisy and surprisingly, Marvin Winans.
“You know what I’m tired of though? … I’m tired of being Le’Andria Johnson that y’all know of … And Ima tell you like this: I could be on a Kirk Franklin level. I could be on a Mary Mary level. Yolanda Adams, Marvin Sapp, Fred Hammond. All the gospel greats … All the R&B. Beyoncé, Brandy. … If I played the game, I could really be on that level. I could, but I’m not ’bout playin’ no games, though.”
She also addressed Essence Festival in a statement that may have gotten her kicked off the gospel tribute for Dottie Peoples.
“Essence Festival is a couple of days away and if y’all feel like y’all don’t want me on it, y’all don’t want me on it,” she said.
Though Essence has yet to comment, she was definitely cut from the lineup for the show.
WARNING: Video Contains Explicit Language
In the explicit video, Johnson made it clear that she doesn’t feel she fits the mold of gospel artists and the church, calling it “the only place where you can get robbed and no one calls the police,” and also called out Marvin Winans for treating her like a “peasant.” While the delivery was a bit vulgar, she says she was simply displeased with the politics of her industry and masked intentions in the faith community, and later went back to social media to apologize.
“I offended many people with my previous video post. That is undeniable, and I accept full responsibility for what I communicated out of frustration,” she said. “After serious personal reflection, I recognized that through my being offended, I have caused offense. The fire that consumed so much emotion, time and energy, has illuminated a light that can no longer be hid; one of personal transparency and self reflection. Even a burned bridge illuminates light.”
