Source: Prince Williams/WireImage, Kevin Winter of Getty, and Mindy Small/Film / Getty
Who knew Kim Burrell had an issue with Fantasia?
Nobody, that’s who. While speaking in church recently, the 46-year-old singer decided to throw some unwarranted shade at the American Idol winner in an attempt to praise singer Le’Andria Johnson, who is currently in rehab for alcoholism. For the audio, you can watch here.
“Girl, you got this. You are anointed, you are a chosen of the Lord,” she said about the 36-year-old singer. “The hand of the Lord is upon your life and you’re such a warrior. I was watching her sing tonight and I was just shaking my head. If they’re going to make a movie about Aretha [Franklin], if they know a real singer they’ll call you. If they want to do Aretha any kind of justice. Now I like Fantasia, but she ain’t no Le’Andria.”
When Burrell said that, the audience chimed in to either agree with her (shame on ’em) or to grumble and moan at the statement.
“Why y’all don’t like to tell the truth?” she responded. “Ain’t no way in the world.”
Fantasia hasn’t said anything directed toward Burrell in response. Instead, she posted about a new music video she’s producing alongside photographer and director Derek Blanks. Knowing Fantasia’s character, the 34-year-old probably won’t say anything about the gospel singer’s comments.
Here’s why she shouldn’t. For one, Burrell was loud and wrong. While Fantasia did sing at Franklin’s funeral and was part of the tribute for her at the Grammys, she wasn’t and isn’t attached to the biopic in the works on the music legend. That role is being filled by Jennifer Hudson.
Secondly, Burrell’s decision to stand in church and criticize the talents of Fantasia to uplift Le’Andria says more about her than about anyone else that she brought up. And considering that she barely got out unscathed following her homophobic comments in 2017, you would think that by now she would watch her words a bit closer, whether in church or in the world. There is life and death in the power of the tongue, sis!
Thirdly and finally, Fantasia doesn’t need to respond because all of Twitter and Instagram has come to her defense in this matter. That’s probably why Burrell switched her Instagram account to private.
Check out what social media had to say about Burrell’s poor decision to come for Fantasia by hitting the flip:
