During the first episode of BET’s gospel singing competition show, “Sunday Best,” contestant Dennis Christopher Bringham, he made sure to tell us all three of his names, sang in front of celebrity judges Yolanda Adams, Kierra Sheard, Kim Burrell and Donnie McClurkin.
His audition, to be honest, was a little rough. And it was clear that he probably wasn’t going to be selected for the next round. But as Kierra was critiquing his performance Kim and Donnie were on the other side of the table laughing.
And Dennis did not take kindly to that.
“Can I say something? Kim Burrell, I want to let y’all know this. I think it is very rude and disrespectful for y’all to be up here laughing like that. Because I used my rent money and everything. And for y’all to be sitting up here disrespectful like that and laughing. That is so wrong.”
Though Kim Burrell tried to explain that they weren’t laughing at him and he should have been listening to the person who was speaking to him, Dennis wasn’t having it.
“Kim Burrell I been stopped liking you since last year when you told me no and you wasn’t even listening.”
Then he went on to show love to Kierra and Yolanda, telling Adams that the only reason he came back was because she encouraged him last year. He concluded saying,
“People get nervous and stuff but I’m letting y’all know I’m Dennis Christopher Bringham and I’m going to be somebody. And this not gon’ stop me.”
Donnie then stepped in, trying to calm him down, asking that he not do things like this.
But Dennis was not done. He interrupted Donnie saying:
“Well y’all need to take care of that for real. I ain’t got to hear nothing else because y’all are so rude and disrespectful. Somebody understand what I’m saying. Y’all have a blessed day. I love you Kierra. Remember my face, you’ll see me again.”
Please watch the video to get the full effect.
It was messy but I would be lying if I said I did not crack up! Why? Because even though Dennis’ approach was a little turnt, it was also right. I mean, I believe Burrell and McClurkin when they say they weren’t laughing at him. They had probably been in that room for hours listening to horrible or mediocre singers; but it is absolutely disrespectful to laugh right after someone pressing toward their dream sang, in front of you.
And it was probably with that in mind that Burrell interrupted one of her concerts after the incident to let the audience know that Dennis came back and apologized and Burrell issued an apology of her own for not giving him her full attention. She told the congregation:
“I’m sweet. I’m a sweet lady and I love God. I don’t need to hurt people.” She continued, “It’s almost liked the church is waiting for us to turn on each other. Instead of posting that he apologized and I apologized back to him, they want to talk about this other stuff. I don’t want y’all to get it twisted.”
Well we’re glad they got everything straightened out and hopefully Dennis learned to employ a little more tact when he feels slighted and Burrell and McClurkin learned to keep the ki-ki-ing to a minimum when someone is fighting for their dreams.
Watch Burrell’s response in the video below.
