Le'Andria Johnson: 'You get Pregnant Out of Wedlock and the Whole World Turns Against You'
Monday, September 17, 2012 at 9:54AM 
By Keri Evans/EEW Magazine News Reporter
Grammy-winning gospel singer Le’Andria Johnson is seeing firsthand the truth of Proverbs 14:34: “Righteousness exalts a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” That reproach brought upon her by giving birth outside the confines of marriage continues to be felt. “You get pregnant out of wedlock and the whole world turns against you. That's how it felt,” she said in an interview.
During Johnson’s chat with Essence.com she said, “I've gone through so much with people who say they love me – people who say they're there for me,” but they abandoned the unwed mother who just welcomed a new son, Caelington Forrest Walker.
The gifted singer, signed to Matthew Knowles’ Music World Gospel label got transparent about how she used to struggle in two areas: addiction to alcohol and making poor relationship decisions. And yet, no one seemed to shun her to the same degree back then during her public battles, though she admits it got the gossip mills going.
“I was battling drinking and that was all people talked about in the gospel industry,” Johnson said. “Different things like having men problems or falling in love with the wrong guy… maybe that wasn't juicy enough for the gospel industry.”
But when the twice-divorce, single mother revealed to the public that a new baby was on the way, things changed. “The moment I got pregnant out of wedlock, that was the juicy part and that carried. It's still carrying on. To hear different ones say, ‘She needs to be sat down until she gets this together...’ I disagree…” she stated emphatically.
In fact, the singer had some very pointed words to share with “pastors and bishops that sit their members down for whatever type of behavior they have.” She said, “Listen, for one, I'm a member of your church, I pay tithing into your church. I sew seed into your ministry. If you're going to silence me, then I feel like you need be silenced as well. If not, you're letting me know you're perfect.”
Then, Johnson outright said, “I refuse [to sit down]. I'm not the first woman in this industry to be pregnant out of wedlock. I'm not hiding it or condoning,” she interjected before making it crystal clear that she was not the type to pander and cave in to others’ desires and ideologies—not even Christian leadership.
“But this is reality. I'm not going to stop because you think I should stop. I don't serve you, I serve God. I'm letting you know that God still blesses and he uses whoever He wants. When people get out of that pointing stage or that judging stage they'll be alright.”
Pastor Donnie McClurkin, who fathered his own son Matthew out-of-wedlock 12 years ago, tweeted a quick message Le’Andria Johnson: “Congratulations on your beautiful baby! I just found out I love you, Lee.”
The singer is set to release her new album "Le'Andria Johnson: The Experience" on September 18.
See the full interview with Essence here.
Reader Comments (68)
She needs to have more of a humble spirit.
When you are in the public spotlight people are going to talk and as a famous Christian leader, people have expectations. GOD has expectations, forget people.
It's hard to have sympathy for somebody that seem to be so feisty and not willing to listen to the advice of anyone. It would have made things a whole lot easier if she would have just repented and took a seat. All the attitude and popping off at leaders is not helping.
Tell 'em Lee! LOL
Donnie McClurkin SHOULD be supportive because he did the same thing. But there is a double standard for women because their "shame" is more visible in the form of a round belly for nine months. Men are spreading their seed around every day and nobody is saying anything. Its a dobule standard in the church and it disgust me. I had my son out of wedlock and I know exactly what she is saying. People at church treated me like I was lower than scum!
Nobody is saying be perfect. Just take a break when you mess up. That's it. Have a moment to think. Is that too much?
Nasty attitude...
I have a son Tres' who is two. I was in the church when I got pregnant. I had to sit down off the praise team and choir. I understood and I didn't have no problems with that. After I had him and repented I am back on the choir and praise team and I learned my lesson. It's not that hard. Sin=sit. That's what my first lady say.
WHERE IS HER PUBLICIST? SHE NEEDS TO BE QUIET ABOUT THIS UNTIL SHE LEARN WHAT AND HOW TO SAY THINGS. I UNDERSTAND HER FRUSTRATION BUT LASHING OUT AT BISHOPS AND PASTORS IS NOT THE WAY HONEY. DONT' DO THAT BABY GIL. YOU'RE ONLY GOING TO HURT YOURSELF IN THE END WITH THAT KIND OF ATTITUDE IN MY OPINION. THAT IS ABSOLUTELY NOT THE WAY TO GO. BE SWEET AND LOVING AND LET GOD HANDLE THE REST. WHEN YOU JUMP IN THAT WITH THAT BOLD ATTITUDE AND POPPING OFF IT IS A TURN OFF TO SOME PEOPLE AND WILL BEVIEWD AS DISRESPECTFUL AND LEAVE A BAD TASTE IN PEOPLE'S MOUTH. I'M JUST SAYING. YOU CAN TAKE IT FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH OR LEAVE IT.
Hmmm... this is a mess.
@ Venita
Well in that case, if "sin = sit" then everyone in your church including the pastor and first lady should be sitting. I get so frightened when I see man's law being intertwined with His Law.
and btw, I'm a 26 y/o virgin. Ask the "first lady" of your church if she could say the same thing when she got married. Doubt it. I'm so sick of religious zealots. If we're still dividing the world into sinners and non-sinners, then we've completely missed the point of Jesus Christ.
I am siding with the Christian leaders on this one. She should have had a seat for a season. Sorry Leandria
Who wait a minute @Godsproperty! I shared MY experience as a woman who made that mistake. I sat down and I feel like I should have and I agreed with my first lady. I don't appreciate you coming at the first lady of my church like that. Don't do that. That's not cool at all. Just because you are a virgin doesn't give you the right or the place to put everybody else on trial. Self-righteousness is very ugly! That is all I will be saying on this issue. The nerve of some people!!
I can respect that, but it's not self-righteousnous at all. I consider myself just as much a sinner. I just think it's wrong to call out SOME sin and not all. If they're going to make you sit for sinning, then all people in the church should be sitting.
Fighting man is not going to solve the problem. Just get it together with God and leave the rest alone.
sweety you can't live that no more.
I mean we all fail but she needs more church family, if you are surrounded by LOVING believers its harder to fall. WHO"S this DUDE??
DOESNT he know she's a minister of the gospel I FAULT HIM. I mean he's messing with her ministry. OBVIOUSLY he doesnt care about the impact it has..hmpf.
#heneedstogo somewhere, i mean can he legally marry her what;s his problem #thesemen
but a baby is always a blessing
Some people argue with the truth, but I know she knows better than what she is saying! GOD'S WORD is truth, not man's. People should take time to actually READ and COMPREHEND the Word before speaking; this includes Le'Andria and the people on this site, board (responders). We, as the church, should not sit around letting people think sin is ok. Yes, everyone has sinned in some way; however, that is not a reason to let sin slip on by, because you know what, GOD will judge whomever sat around watching sin but did not step in to do something to correct it. Should fellow Christians have shunned her? No. They should have went to her with the truth of God's Word and prayed with and for her. If she would have refused to listen or accept prayer, then that would have been on her.
As for those always talking about "everyone sins...blah, blah, blah." Again, yes. I, for one, have sinned!!! Yes, yes, I have. I fornicated, had a baby out of wedlock, talked back to a parent, etc. However, I am not that person today. I have repented and accepted God's forgiveness. So yes, I, as as sinner saved by grace, can say that she needs to step back and evaluate herself. Step back and pray for strength. It is not good to be out here shaming the Lord's name! If we are going to be workers of the Kingdom, we need to really WORK. Work at keeping this old flesh of ours under control!
*My two cents...*
I applaud LeAndria for taking a stand, to those who are sitting in judgment and TOTALLY persecuting her...that's what it is! It's interesting how we get so self-righteous. If God were to pull off the covers of our mess, both in our pasts and now.....OMG! I'm sure her boyfriend went on about his life (possibly in ministry also) and no one told him to "sit down somewhere", what a double-standard. She sounds more grown up than many who commented. She realizes that you cannot live your life to please man, but God. If we sin against God, then he should chastise, not "man". Please people...As for her talking about Bishops and Pastors...if they are beating her down, then they deserve it too. Two wrongs don't make a right. If they are judging and gossiping about her, then are they any better...the BIBLE says no. They are probably dipping and hiding! We should be careful about talking about people, especially if we have children of our own....you can teach them the right way, but you never really know how they will turn out!
People are mean aren't they......and they judge for example your boyfriend that you should have married before you got pregnant looks like a young hustler but he is God's son and you are His daughter and your children are His children and God loves you all.And who are we to judge. I'd like to sow this in love and pray you will receive in love,you need professional help to walk with you on the road to healing and wholeness because right now you are spreading the Gospel and living a very secular lifestyle.It's good to have someone that can help you like Iyanla Vanzant so set you on the right path.At some point you will have to larn how to sumit to God and the spiritual authority that God has placed you under so long as it is the right authority and direction. As you journey towards healing be reminded that when you are healed ...Go and sin no mor.God desireth a covenaant relationship.You're old enough to understand that. God gave the gift no one can take that away however He desireth not a perfect vessel but whole and healed vessel to minister to others. Love You.....K