By: Amanda Anderson-Niles
Erica Campbell of successful gospel group Mary Mary found herself the target of backlash almost instantly after she innocently posted a photo of herself rocking a new dress to Instagram. Apparently some of her Christian brothers and sisters felt the dress was inappropriate for a Gospel singer to wear because it showed off her curves a little too much in their opinion.
Here’s the dress that caused the big fuss:
One fan in particular wrote:
THIS IS NOT OKAY. Yes, you are a beautiful, curvy woman…but NO MA’AM YOU ARE SINGING THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. Saints…smh COME ON.
Erica responded to the criticism and tells Essence Magazine:
“This is about confidence and realizing that God made you and that you are beautiful just the way you are. I think that young girls shouldn’t only get sexy images from people who are not proclaiming Jesus. But I am. And I’m cute too.”
Do you think Erica was out of line to rock this dress or were those offended being just a little too judgmental? Speak on it below.
I wonder if the Christian community understands that these kinds of actions turns off people from the religion? And there’s nothing wrong with the dress.
Much ado about nothing! She looks gorgeous and she’s covered up. I guess because she’s a Christian she should never try to be cute. Ugh!
The Christian and Muslim communities love to make women feel ashamed about their own bodies. Smh.
So because she has curves this dress which covers her whole body is inappropriate? WOW. I didn’t think people could get any dumber.
By the looks of the comment you would have thought Erica posted a photo of herself in a thong. I don’t get the issue here. She looks beautiful.
Smh. The dress is fine. I’m sure they wouldn’t have said a thing if Erica has a stick figure. So once again we’re telling women with curves to be ashamed of themselves. We have to do better.
So true!
It kind of brings up the whole Meagan Good issue too, but this dress isn’t bad at all. I don’t know why women are shunned about having confidence and showing off their bodies so much. If it’s done in a tasteful way, whats the problem? And this isn’t even bad! She’s covered up!
I don’t have a problem how she is dressed. But my problem is with these so called Christians, Erica included promoting the picture that is clowning older ladies wearing white. I understand trying to make a point but those are someones mothers and grandmothers. The cropped picture with Erica & older ladies is very disrespectful.
The person who had a problem is just a jealous prude. So often people like to try to put their insecurities on others. Erica looks fab.
I think this highlights the current issue the church is having. Older Christians believe things should be done a certain way and the younger generation is a little more liberal, so there’s a lot of clashing going on. I remember when Mary Mary first came out, so many Christians were bashing them because the church said their music wasn’t Gospel enough. It’s crazy.
I don’t see the big deal. Being Christian doesn’t mean you can’t like fashion or want to be sexy from time to time. We have to stop putting Christianity in a box. I think it’s caused people to be too judgmental.
Erica annoys me. She does way too much and she’s snotty about it. And Gabriella, I agree with you 200%.
Not that serious! Someone is hating! She looks great!
But why does a Gospel singer need to be sexy? You’re singing about God. It’s not even about you and your ego in the first place. Smh.
She’s still a human being though. I don’t think this is an album cover right? It’s just her taking pictures. What is the big deal?
She looks gorgeous.
I swear people get offended over every little thing. Smh.
I don’t see a problem honestly.
It’s really not that deep. The dress is nice and she’s covered up.
I do think she was trying to be a little sexy. Even though everything is covered, it’s a revealing material. BUT I see nothing wrong with being attractive as a Christian woman. Christians get all riled up over a little sex. We’re human beings, that attitude is why hidden sex problems exist in the Christian community.
She looks fine, it’s not that deep. Since when did a figure hugging dress mean you’re not following God’s will? It’s not that deep
She looks pretty.
I saw the dress and my first thought that she looks beautiful not that this is a gospel singer that has not business wearing a beautiful dress and shoes and enbracing being the gorgeous cury woman that she is. She is a womana gorgeous one at that and regardless of what kind of music she sings she has the right and the body to wear a dress that COVERS HER ENTIRE BODY UP!! What do people expect her to weat, a church robe 24/7??
This is so stupid and judgmental. Who cares if she wears this dress and sings about God. If these so called Christians read their Bibles more often they wouldn’t forget that David danced out of his clothes to praise God so this is really ignorant. God looks at the heart, not what you’re wearing or what you look like physically as we are all made wonderfully and fearfully in His image. Some people need to have a seat and shut the hell up.
I don’t know why people PAY ATTENTION TO THE CHRISTIANS THAT TALK THIS TALK……THEY ARE NOT REAL CHRISTIANS! It’s not THIER place to say anything it’s 2013 not before BC OR AC ITS THE NEW WORLD AND SHE LOOKS GOOD ALL THEM CURVES SHE BLESS. WITH DO YOUR THANG
They worry bout the wrong things yes I’m a Christian I enjoy looking nice I’m young and show skin but the type of woman I am I STILL LOOK CLASSY ITS HOW YOU CARRY YOURSELF IN THESE TYPES OF CLOTHING!
I don’t think that there is anything wrong with the way she look. She’s a beautiful woman and God made her and He doesn’t make any mistake. Don’t be so judgemental, who are you to judge. At least she’s not showing any skin. Do you Erica.
I don’t think there is anything wrong with Erica’s dress at all. I am a proud Christian and I think what she is wearing is tasteful. She is covered up from the neck down. Okay, so she is a woman with curves, does that mean she is suppose to dress like a woman 20 years older? I say the only one who can past judgement is our Lord and Savior. So on that note, rock that dress Erica you look beautiful!!!