American gospel singer Kirk Franklin has addressed controversial moments from the past year.
The 55-year-old reflected on his viral moments of 2025 in a video shared online, discussing his dance moves, attire choices, and how his fusion of hip-hop and gospel stirred debate.
Regarding his dance with Bishop Marvin Sapp, which sparked controversy, the “All Things” singer took full responsibility. “Let’s discuss the dancing,” he said. “There was no bigger move that had everybody talking than this move right here with Bishop Marvin Sapp. Now before y’all get mad at Bishop Marvin, I want y’all to know that that was my fault.” He added, “I pushed him to do it, and he easily obliged.”
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Franklin emphasized that gospel music can be as entertaining as any other concert.
Responding to criticism of his attire and dance moves in Jamaica, he acknowledged the backlash. “I am aware now that my choice of attire, which as a team we thought was appropriate, did not come across as respectful. Since I’ve spent most of my career dancing and jumping on stage, I never intended to offend anyone in any community. I sincerely apologize.”
“I never want to reach a point where I can’t learn and improve,” he shared, emphasizing his commitment to humility and ensuring that nothing overshadows the message of Jesus.
Another issue he addressed was his performances with Will Smith and GloRilla, which some questioned as being inconsistent with gospel values.
“There were a lot of questions and controversy about the Will Smith performance this year [2024] at the BET Awards,” Franklin said, referring to his live performance of “You Can Make It” with the “Gettin’ Jiggy wit It” rapper.
“I think that when we collaborate with individuals outside the gospel ecosystem, it’s difficult to judge their hearts and motives from a distance. We have to be close,” he explained.
“When we’re invited into their world, it’s crucial that we uphold our message without compromise,” the revered gospel singer said. “We need to engage with people so they can experience the message we’re trying to share.”
“Whenever I’m invited, as I have been throughout my career, I do my best. I may fail at times, but my goal is to ensure the church doesn’t just exist within walls—it exists in the world,” he concluded.
Franklin gave a special mention to his wife, Tammy, and ended with gratitude: “Thank you all for being with me. Thank you for your prayers, your critiques, and your conversations.”
Watch the video below.
