Jesus is one of the most profitable figures in the entertainment industry. What better way to rejuvenate a once massive career than by having your new manager, publicist and fan base all named "Jesus"? The Lord Almighty is that ace in the hole when record sales are low, tours aren't as packed and the fickle public has moved on to the next best thing. It is always problematic when celebrities reject the life that made them but still willfully profit by mixing their entertainment career with Christ. If you truly feel you have found Christ and your previous life was sinful, why continue to capitalize from it in reality shows, tell-all books, or films?
The most recent addition to the "celebrities who found Jesus camp" is Cheryl Wray, otherwise known as Salt from the legendary hip-hop group Salt-N-Pepa. In the duo's VH-1 reality show the former "Push It" diva declares, "I let God into my life and everything has changed!" Salt has become an adamant Christian who is hell-bent on converting an "ungodly" Pepa to Christ.
Now, Salt stresses how the songs were too sexual and demanded lyric changes in the ode to good men "Whatta Man" on their recently aired VH-1 reality TV show, "The Salt-N-Pepa Show." Next to the Fresh Prince, Will Smith, Salt-N-Pepa is probably the most non-threatening hip-hop group in history. Songs like "Express Yourself," "Shake Your Thang" and the public service announcement "Let's Talk About Sex" were far from risqué. Finding God or any form of spirituality is a blessing. However, is it impossible in Salt's world to be artistic, edgy and still have Christ in your life?
If Salt is a reformed Christian who finds her previous work "irresponsible" as she said in an October 2007 interview with Entertainment Weekly, then why ever go back to Salt-N-Pepa? Why not leave that life fully behind, remove yourself from the limelight and not profit off the secular image?
This phenomenon is nothing new; it dates back to the days of disco icon Donna Summer. The "Hot Stuff" songstress was the Beyonce of the '70s, winning two Grammys and garnering four number one hits in a five-year period. However, with the demise of disco in the '80s, Donna's career struggled. Donna then had a revelation that her previous image was sinful and refused to perform several songs such as the classic "Love To Love You Baby," a song that is often credited as the advent of disco. According to Time Magazine the song featured 23 orgasmic groans.
Donna's career has continued, still profiting off her secular image, but she was embroiled in a heap of controversy when she allegedly said that AIDS was God's retribution against gays, who are her most solid fan base. The gay community began to ban the former "Lady of the Night," refusing to play her songs on the radio or support her concerts. Donna eventually held a teary press conference saying, "I never said anything that was written about me in that article." She continues to reap the benefits of her "sinful" image, still performing songs such as "Last Dance," "MacArthur's Park" and even "Bad Girls," her biggest hit, which tells a story of prostitution. Tasha Smith of 'Why Did I Get Married?' fame will star in a movie about Summer's life. Again, if this "sinful" life is what made you famous, then why continue to profit from it?
One of the most famous cases of finding Christ is former bad girl, Vanity – ex-girlfriend of rock icon Prince. Before Rihanna, Beyonce and Janet Jackson there was Vanity in the early '80s. Vanity emoted in lingerie while singing the scandalous club classic "Nasty Girl" declaring, "I want seven inches or more!" After walking off the set of Prince's movie 'Purple Rain,' Vanity attempted a solo career on Motown Records. The "Nasty Girl" never matched her fame of the early '80s. By the early '90s, Vanity was addicted to cocaine, had no recording contract, and was considered a pop culture has-been. By 1995, Vanity found Jesus and rejected all remains of the entertainment industry.
Without skipping a beat, Vanity, who now goes by Denise Matthews, is now releasing a book on her scandalous life called 'The Blackbox.' In a May 2007 interview Vanity said, "I did the fornication, I had all the lust, and I chose the way of 'sex sells.' I wanted to be famous and rich." Do you think Beyonce will be converting when sex stops selling for her?
Have these artists found Jesus or just another way to compensate for the career they once had?
Clay Cane is an independent freelance writer. This essay is an editorial opinion piece and does not necessarily reflect the views of Black Voices or its parent companies.
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By: Gwen In Charlotte on 2/24/2008 12:01PM
Well HELL, I'm glad for our Black Sisters, and all the exciting
entertainment they did. It's extremely hard for "any" minorities to
gain and hold on to anything! ..While Whites do whatever they want
and rake in loads of money, fame, and popularity. When their (Whites)
secular publicized careers fizzle, they too move on to whatever else
can sustain, revive, or relieve, them! ..And, in most cases, it isn't
Religion, because, they weren't Religious, in the first place!
The only other big difference (gap) is that BLACKS have ALWAYS KNOWN,
LOVED, AND TRUSTED IN "GOD" for their "real" help. From what I've
always been told, and have read, God has told "all of us" to come to
HIM just as we are! Some of us just never found the need, courage,
nor the talents, to venture out (from our Church-Oriented lives to
pursue a popular-glitzy-sexy-risque, or eye-catchy career.
Therefore, for those who did, and their limelight eventually faded
and shut off, "they should" run on back to what they always knew! It
doesn't matter what brought, or FORCED, them back, THEY'RE BACK!
..And, ain't no way, in hell, should ANY OF THEM, refuse to continue
collecting their hard-earned monies from their past performances.
..And, ain't no way, in hell, should any of them refuse another try
at it, if they can get a spot!
Their doing their thang, that earns them a rich life and keep them
famous and marketable; in this White-Oriented, Capitalistic Society;
without causing harm to others, IS NOT UNGODLY! Everybody isn't
shouting around in the Churches, every time the doors open,
pretending to be holy, feeding the Ministers/Leaders, and waiting for
some Pie-In-The-Sky! Don't nobody know what's up there in that sky
(Otis Redding), because, ain't nobody been way up there in that sky!
..Except, a few Astronauts; and all of them didn't even come back!
..to tell us anything! ..And, the few, who did come back, didn't tell
nobody nothing, because, they still don't know- yet, they've been up
there!
That's why that Holy Bible; that these people gave to us to read-and
kept us in our lil' Churches, so we wouldn't read nothing else; TOLD
US ABOUT THE PRODIGAL SON! "He" went back home, and his daddy
welcomed him and took care of him! If he didn't venture out, he
wouldn't had learned NUN'EN! ..But, he also remembered the days and
the teachings of his youth, and he went right back to'em! He had a
choice: to stay his rump out there and die, or to make his way back
home to where he'd find his first love. Why die, when help is nigh?
Then, if that Prodigal son/daughter decides to go back out there and
try it again, he/she knows that h/s has to stay home for a while,
work the land (like his other siblings were doing), learn patience, a
lil' more sense, respect, humility, how to save, and give thanks to
his family. ..Then, he/she can return to the world and perform again-
But this time, with maturity, constant visits to home & family,
sharing his/her wealth with family, and always praising GOD for life,
health, and strength!
It's the same with one's Godly beliefs and honoring the Creator. GOD
nor Jesus never took away "anybody's" FREE CHOICE! Their doing
whatever it takes to make a good living, without hurting anyone else,
while they also give constant praises to GOD, take care of themselves
and their families, pay Tithes and offerings to help the Church, and
help somebody else, is nothing for them to be ashamed of, nor to keep
explaining!
I want my Black people to get all that they can get TOO! ..And stop
feeling guilty about it! ..Because, ain't nobody else feeling one
lick of guilt in all that they've always STOLEN, TORTURED, and
MURDERED, out of us. ..AND, LET'S STOP BEING SO JEALOUS OF EACH
OTHER, AND ALLOWING OTHERS TO DIVIDE AND CONQUER US! -LET'S PUSH AND
SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER. A HOUSE DIVIDED CAN'T STAND! Do what you wanna
do, my sisters, just put GOD first!
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By: xavier on 12/10/2007 4:52AM
I don't know about salt or donna summer but hopefully the purpose of vanity's book is to reach and help other celebrities headed down the road she's already traveled or even to prevent some woman, who is wanting fame and fortune at any cost, from making her same past mistakes. (but then again, she can't sing like donna or rap like salt either...) :-)
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By: Just my opinion on 12/09/2007 6:52AM
It is very possible that these celebrities use the church to compensate their lifestyle. There are also alot of people who are not celebrities that use the church to compensate their lifestyle. I could never understand how so many people of the church (ministers/pastors) feel their entitled to expensive jewlery, to live in big houses and have a Benz, BMW, or a cadillac. But other people who dedicate thier life to God on a deeper level, like monks and nuns never buy such frivolous things. It's sad to see how a huge part of the congregation is poor, while the people who work in the church are so rich. I never read any part of the religous text that says the people in the church are suppose to live a life of luxury. The people of God and faith who they talk about in their sermons are not living a life of luxury. Some of the biggest crooks are in the church and the government.
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By: Durell on 12/09/2007 7:40AM
This is a good topic and a great question to ask about all people who may have been accused of such; however the only ones who can answer this question is ourselves. The Bible says that "Who can judge the thoughts and motives of the heart of man, but God? (slightly paraphrase)" Only HE knows man's true motives for coming to Christ. I do know that many times God works in ways to bring humans to the lowest place possible so that they would come to know that without Him they can do nothing. I've seen it in my own life. God is not necessarily against "secular" performing artists in any field. He is however against those who's pursue a career for selfish reasons and motives. Truth be told there needs to be some light (Christians) in a dark world of sin, not just in the entertainment industry but everywhere. Who's to say that God wasn't using these artist's pitfall to raise them back up again to be successful, for God always wants his children to be blessed. It is, though, up to these artists not to use God as a "sugar daddy" just to regain success but to love Him and serve Him in their gifts and to give God the glory that He is due.
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By: renfroe caver jr on 12/09/2007 8:32AM
my opinion on these women is that i have either seen them in concert or listen to them on the radio. i am a firm believer that you can't judge people for the decisions that people make, because you have to look in the mirror yourself. we have to grow up and find out that god set a purpose for us to do work in a way that people will sometimes question. these women are fine and they just want to share their experiences.
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By: Randy Brolo on 12/09/2007 8:52AM
When one accepts Jesus Christ has their personal Saviour and invites Jesus into their heart,that person will exprience a supernatural encounter with God, the Father of all flesh. As a result of this heart to heart encounter when one reads the Bible,the Word of God which is read by faith,this person will become a new creation in Christ. Old things you use to do such as living a life of Sin (sin the transgression of the Word of God) one will not desire to do those old things because of conviction not condemnation. Therefore the lifestyle will become Christlike, a Christian born of the Spirit of God.
In the world but not living wordly. Rather Loving people and not practicing the sin that some people practice with a daily lifestyle of sin. There is sin sitting in the Church's. All have sin and come short the Glory of God. It is the leader's of the Church's that are to be people of integrity as they live a Christtlike life to teach the people how to live Godly in this present world. Therefore discern those that live the Christian life. For they are the vessels that God are using to build,edify,comfort and bring hope to those that receive their testimony. Helping them to know God personaly thru receiving Jesus Christ as a saviour and best friend.
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By: valheard on 12/09/2007 8:42AM
The reality of it is.... they didn't find God he was already there.. The majority of blacks are raised in the church. That foundation was laid by our parents and how we chose to live our lives as we grow up is up to us. But as the song writer says" We fall down but we get up and a saint is just a sinner who got up." God is already instilled in us... we sometimes loose site, whether it be for money or fame. God is always there waiting on our return. Everyone wants to make a issue of stars finding Christ. They didn't find him they just re-newed their belief. In stead of putting them down because they are leading more people to Christ.. ask yourself when is the last time you said to someone....God loves you,no matter what you have done.. no sin is greater than another.. and you can always go to him. Whether you are a drunk, a gay, or theif he died for everyone... People love to put down other people.. that is a sin... but remember God's love is inclussive... He loves everyone even you.
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By: Randy Brolo on 12/09/2007 8:54AM
I agree with "Just my Opinion". Ones relationship with Jesus is personal not religion. If one is pimping God truly He knows. He knows the thoughts as well as the heart of mankind. When one knows Truth one will know those that living the Truth. Christ in them living a lifestyle that lines up with the Bible.
We all have to answer to God for the choices we have done in life.
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By: sophia caver on 12/09/2007 8:56AM
renfro caver jr. i agree 100% who kows how God's going to work out a situation, did'nt He "say all things work together for the good of them that love Him and are called for His purpose" wellthat being said .lets all be grateful for their change and give God Glory. Holla back at me cousin
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By: Duane on 12/09/2007 9:03AM
Well it is human nature that when life starts to take a turn for the worst that we will look for some sort of salvation (it happens to all of us). Just look at people who face years in prison, start to find God and there is nothing wrong with that (if you are willing to turn your life around and share your experiences). Sometimes we have to hit rock bottom to make that change because it's very rare that you see someone at the height of their career or when their life is almost flawless, change and dedicate their life to God. So as far as the three women above it is possible that they have found God, but there are some who use God and the church as crutch.
Like the ones who call themselves Bishop's and Pastor's, driving around in BMW's, living in million dollar homes while more than half their congregation will have a hard time paying for their light bill this month, paying for rent, daycare, etc. My take on this is why do they have to mix God and the church into what I call "Motivational Speaking". Nothing wrong with the messages they give to the people that attend but why call yourself a Pastor or Bishop. These people are using God to fill their bank account. I thought the point of religion is to teach us that material things should not bring us joy but living right (whether your in a BMW or a 1995 Corolla)with what ever you have.
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