I say a word of prayer? God, I thank you for this day. I thank you for this opportunity
god, I thank you for this day. I thank you for this opportunity to share who I am with the
world.
To share who I am with the world. Father, I pray that they see you
beyond me.
Father, I thank you for everyone
that's here, every gift and
father, I thank you for everyone that's here, every gift and talent.
That's here, every gift and talent. I ask that you bless them
tremendously in jesus' name.
Be with us in this moment and
let me feel your power and
be with us in this moment and let me feel your power and presence.
Let me feel your power and presence. Speak through me.
Presence. Speak through me. In jesus' name, thank god.
Amen.
I thank god for quiet erica,
amen. I thank god for quiet erica, 'cause quiet erica taught this
erica how to speak up, how to
say what I want at the right
time, right?
Say what I want at the right time, right? 'cause there's always a right
time to say things.
And to say it without
apologizing.
'cause when you speak your truth
in love, you don't have to
apologize when you finish.
In love, you don't have to apologize when you finish. I'm not saying sorry a hundred
times, 'cause I'm not sorry.
♪
-- captions by vitac -- www.Vitac.Com
my childhood was great. It was laughter and music and family, not a lot of money, and
it was laughter and music and family, not a lot of money, and I think because I grew up with
not a lot of money, I realized
that there were more important
things than that.
That there were more important things than that. I remember singing around my
parents' bed all the time.
I remember always having to be
the one that sang.
So, we went to a christian
school for a short while, and
so, we went to a christian school for a short while, and when everyone else had to read
speeches, I had to sing.
When everyone else had to read speeches, I had to sing. It just became a part of me, and
I loved how the audience
it just became a part of me, and I loved how the audience responded, I loved the pride in
my parents' faces, and I just
loved music.
My parents' faces, and I just loved music. And I still do to this day.
Loved music. And I still do to this day. My daddy,
and I still do to this day. My daddy, eddie aaron atkins jr. -- What a
my daddy, eddie aaron atkins jr. -- What a man.
Eddie aaron atkins jr. -- What a man. What a big personality,
sarcastic, educated, powerful,
what a big personality, sarcastic, educated, powerful, very smart.
Sarcastic, educated, powerful, very smart. But human.
Very smart. But human. He's flawed, but I know that he
but human. He's flawed, but I know that he loved the family.
So even when times got
difficult, I always loved my
so even when times got difficult, I always loved my daddy.
Difficult, I always loved my daddy. But, you know, no family is
perfect, if I can be honest.
Unfortunately, my dad had
favorites, and so he'd treat one
unfortunately, my dad had favorites, and so he'd treat one great and one not so great.
Favorites, and so he'd treat one great and one not so great. And that didn't make me feel
good growing up.
That wasn't, like, a badge of
honor.
It wasn't like, "ooh, daddy
treats me like a favorite."
it wasn't like, "ooh, daddy treats me like a favorite." I just -- I didn't like my
sisters being in pain.
And I didn't know how to process
that as a kid.
I didn't really understand it
until I got older.
The thing about my parents -- of
course, many people know that
the thing about my parents -- of course, many people know that they married each other three
times.
They married each other three times. They'd become really confusing
for a kid, but somewhere around
they'd become really confusing for a kid, but somewhere around my teenage years, I realized
that he wasn't married to me.
My teenage years, I realized that he wasn't married to me. He was my dad, and I just wanted
him to be my dad.
I'mma let him and my mama figure
out what they need to figure
out.
Out what they need to figure out. They never really did, but I
still had my dad in some ways.
Not all the time, because he'd
be gone, you know, when times
not all the time, because he'd be gone, you know, when times got tough, but I think the thing
that I learned most is how my
mom responded to it.
That I learned most is how my mom responded to it. My mom never came home bashing
my dad.
My mom just never did any of
that, and the times that he
my mom just never did any of that, and the times that he would come back, we would just
be a happy family again.
Would come back, we would just be a happy family again. We were just happy that he was
back, because I knew the power
we were just happy that he was back, because I knew the power of being an atkins girl.
Back, because I knew the power of being an atkins girl. I knew what our family meant to
our church, I knew how people
looked at our family, and even
with the broken times, there was
still a strength in our family
that I think still exists today.
Still a strength in our family that I think still exists today. My mama, thomasina atkins, man,
that's an amazing woman.
Man, she's strong.
That's an amazing woman. Man, she's strong. The things that she had to go
man, she's strong. The things that she had to go through, dealing with people
the things that she had to go through, dealing with people saying crazy stuff about her
'cause she's married to this man
that she loves, but the marriage
isn't perfect, and now you have
all these kids, these talented
kids -- she didn't share a lot
of her emotion growing up.
Kids -- she didn't share a lot of her emotion growing up. She just kept going.
Of her emotion growing up. She just kept going. I may have seen my mom cry a few
she just kept going. I may have seen my mom cry a few times, even though I know she
went through.
Times, even though I know she went through. I remember coming home from
maybe the third or fourth grade
and there was a big truck on the
front yard, and all she said
was, "get your stuff, baby, we
got to go."
you know, when you're
financially challenged, that's
how it happens, so you just grab
your stuff and go.
How it happens, so you just grab your stuff and go. And my sisters were all young,
so we're still playful and
and my sisters were all young, so we're still playful and laughing, and every now and
again, I seen my parents' face
and, like, get a glimpse of
their pain.
And, like, get a glimpse of their pain. I can't imagine what it feels
like to have all these kids, all
these girls, you're trying to
raise them, you're trying to
teach them to be ladies, you're
trying to teach them to respect
themselves and love god and all
this stuff, but you're trying to
figure out, "how I'mma feed all
these girls?
Figure out, "how I'mma feed all these girls? Where they gonna sleep?"
so, from there to now, she never
where they gonna sleep?" so, from there to now, she never lost her faith, she never
stopped loving jesus.
Lost her faith, she never stopped loving jesus. We never stopped going to
church.
Even when I ask her now, "mama,
how did you do it?
How did you raise all of us?"
she was like, "I depended on
how did you raise all of us?" she was like, "I depended on god, and that's all I could do."
she was like, "I didn't know
what to do.
She was like, "I didn't know what to do. All y'all had different
personalities, different gifts.
I didn't know what to do.
Personalities, different gifts. I didn't know what to do. I had to pray."
so, you know, I grew up
church of god in christ,
evangelistic church of god in
christ, to be exact, so I grew
up with blessed oil on my
forehead.
Up with blessed oil on my forehead. My mom prayed over us all the
time, like my mom played bible
my mom prayed over us all the time, like my mom played bible tapes in the car.
Time, like my mom played bible tapes in the car. You know, it was just jesus
24/7, so even if you wanted to
you know, it was just jesus 24/7, so even if you wanted to do something, you felt a little
guilt 'cause you felt like jesus
was gonna tell my mama, so I
can't do too much.
Was gonna tell my mama, so I can't do too much. So it kind of -- her prayers
kind of kept us and began to
so it kind of -- her prayers kind of kept us and began to guide us, and because she was so
beautiful and still so loved and
so kind, I was just enamored
with her.
So kind, I was just enamored with her. There was a time when I wanted
her to speak up, I wanted her to
there was a time when I wanted her to speak up, I wanted her to say more, but I realized that
her -- her quiet demeanor was a
strength.
Her -- her quiet demeanor was a strength. So, I remember when I realized
we were poor.
I probably should've known from
moving over 15 times or buying
clothes at the secondhand store.
Moving over 15 times or buying clothes at the secondhand store. But I remember, like, "dang, we
don't really got nothing."
but I remember, like, "dang, we don't really got nothing." and tina said, "we're not poor.
Don't really got nothing." and tina said, "we're not poor. We just don't have some things."
and I think what you call
we just don't have some things." and I think what you call yourself is very, very
important.
Yourself is very, very important. Not that you are lying to
yourself, but I think to look at
not that you are lying to yourself, but I think to look at it and say, "we're not poor, we
just don't have some things" --
we had a place to live.
Just don't have some things" -- we had a place to live. It wasn't beautiful or fabulous,
you know.
We had each other.
You know. We had each other. We had food.
I don't remember going days
we had food. I don't remember going days without eating.
Might've ate beans and spaghetti
a little bit more than I wanted
might've ate beans and spaghetti a little bit more than I wanted to, but I had something.
A little bit more than I wanted to, but I had something. My siblings -- eight siblings.
To, but I had something. My siblings -- eight siblings. Nine, but my brother andre went
my siblings -- eight siblings. Nine, but my brother andre went to be with the lord when I was
nine, but my brother andre went to be with the lord when I was like 5 years old.
To be with the lord when I was like 5 years old. What was it like?
Like 5 years old. What was it like? Loud but fun.
My mom had a big heart and so
loud but fun. My mom had a big heart and so did my dad, so every now and
my mom had a big heart and so did my dad, so every now and then, you'd have some extra
people living with you.
Then, you'd have some extra people living with you. Even when we were in a
two-bedroom apartment in
even when we were in a two-bedroom apartment in inglewood, it would still be
extra people at the house.
Inglewood, it would still be extra people at the house. And so my parents were just
always extending that love.
Each of my siblings have
different personalities, but
each of my siblings have different personalities, but what was always there was god.
Different personalities, but what was always there was god. I love my family.
What was always there was god. I love my family. Being able to work with my
family has been a blessing.
Not easy at all.
Family has been a blessing. Not easy at all. There have been times where it's
not easy at all. There have been times where it's like, "I love you, but I don't
there have been times where it's like, "I love you, but I don't want to talk to you.
Like, "I love you, but I don't want to talk to you. I love you, but I ain't coming
over," you know.
But it don't last too long, and
usually, it's tina that'll call
but it don't last too long, and usually, it's tina that'll call me and be like, "dang, you still
mad?
Me and be like, "dang, you still mad? Come on, ain't you coming over
to the house?"
come on, ain't you coming over to the house?" I'll be like, "ah, alright," you
know, and you just learn to let
it go, but that's because my
parents didn't let us do that
hate thing.
Parents didn't let us do that hate thing. That didn't rock in my house.
Hate thing. That didn't rock in my house. You had to hug it out, you know,
that didn't rock in my house. You had to hug it out, you know, which caused me and my sisters
you had to hug it out, you know, which caused me and my sisters to not like hugging each other
for a lot of years.
To not like hugging each other for a lot of years. That was part of your
punishment.
"say sorry, now hug your
sister."
"I don't want to hug her."
but you learned to forgive.
We ended up laughing usually
after the hug, so you learned to
we ended up laughing usually after the hug, so you learned to let it go.
After the hug, so you learned to let it go. I'm so grateful for that lesson.
Let it go. I'm so grateful for that lesson. That lesson has served me well
in my life, learning to let
that lesson has served me well in my life, learning to let things go, 'cause what am I
holding onto it for?
>> campbell: While I loved singing growing up, I was forced in the choir at about 11 years
old, and so we lived next door
to the church.
Old, and so we lived next door to the church. A bunch of my friends lived next
door to the church.
And so on saturdays was choir
rehearsal, and we would all be
and so on saturdays was choir rehearsal, and we would all be outside playing while our mamas
and daddies were in choir
rehearsal.
And daddies were in choir rehearsal. Well, one Saturday, my mama told
me, "you're gonna be in the
well, one Saturday, my mama told me, "you're gonna be in the choir."
I was like, "but my friends
sonya and lynette are outside.
I want to play," you know?
Sonya and lynette are outside. I want to play," you know? And so I had to be in the choir,
and I was sitting next to
and so I had to be in the choir, and I was sitting next to another one of my best friends,
her mom, in the choir, and she
said, "this is gonna pay off one
day, baby."
she said, "I know you don't want
to be in here."
she said, "you got something
special.
She said, "you got something special. Just keep singing.
Special. Just keep singing. Listen to your mama.
It'll be alright."
listen to your mama. It'll be alright." and while I missed playing
it'll be alright." and while I missed playing outside with my friends, I
appreciate having to be in
rehearsal.
Appreciate having to be in rehearsal. I appreciate having to sing my
first solo, which was a song
called, "I'm in love with the
savior," that my mom wrote for
me, and I sang it all the time.
>> campbell: After high school and after I started singing again around 17, my choir was
big time.
Again around 17, my choir was big time. We won the
mcdonald's gospel fest in 1990.
We recorded an album.
Mcdonald's gospel fest in 1990. We recorded an album. You couldn't tell me nothin'.
I was a professional.
I'd gone to college and I was
studying voice and hair, 'cause,
you know, you got to pay for the
dream.
You know, you got to pay for the dream. You got to, you know, support
the dream, and I got the
you got to, you know, support the dream, and I got the opportunity to sing in a stage
play.
Opportunity to sing in a stage play. My friend isaac carree was in
the play, and when the director
my friend isaac carree was in the play, and when the director was there, when they were at the
wilshire ebell theatre in
inglewood, he asked me if I
wanted to go, and I was like,
"yeah," so he was like, "sing
right here," so I just sang
right there in the middle of the
wilshire ebell theatre at the
end of their show, and he asked
me if I wanted to go.
End of their show, and he asked me if I wanted to go. And 'cause I was still a little
scary, tina was in the back, I
and 'cause I was still a little scary, tina was in the back, I was like, "my sister sing, too.
Scary, tina was in the back, I was like, "my sister sing, too. You want to take her, too?"
so, me and tina hit the road,
you want to take her, too?" so, me and tina hit the road, and it was wonderful and
terrifying at the same time,
'cause I'm used to my church
family, I'm used to my church
world, I'm used to these people.
Family, I'm used to my church world, I'm used to these people. I know I sing around l.A.
World, I'm used to these people. I know I sing around l.A. You know, that's my thing, but
singing on the road with people
you know, that's my thing, but singing on the road with people I know is a little bit
different.
And I remember a girl who was at
my church who would also sing
and I remember a girl who was at my church who would also sing for mike matthews.
My church who would also sing for mike matthews. She said, "let me tell you
something.
There's road life and there's
church life.
That's two different lives.
Church life. That's two different lives. Don't forget who you are."
that's two different lives. Don't forget who you are." she said, "and don't have a road
don't forget who you are." she said, "and don't have a road marriage."
what is a road marriage, you
say?
What is a road marriage, you say? It is the person that you hang
with and deal with while you on
it is the person that you hang with and deal with while you on the road.
With and deal with while you on the road. Now, you may be talking to
somebody else, you may be dating
now, you may be talking to somebody else, you may be dating somebody else.
Somebody else, you may be dating somebody else. And so when you grow up in
church, you know, even though I
and so when you grow up in church, you know, even though I love the church, you feel a
little smothered.
Love the church, you feel a little smothered. You feel like you're missing out
on something.
You feel like you want to do
other things, so I had my times
you feel like you want to do other things, so I had my times like, "I can't wait till I'm
grown.
Like, "I can't wait till I'm grown. I ain't never going to church
again.
I ain't" -- you know, I'm trying
to be grown, and I'm talking to
this dude on the road, and, you
know, clearly he's got way more
experience in all this stuff
than I do.
Experience in all this stuff than I do. So, you know, you make some
wrong choices, you know, and if
so, you know, you make some wrong choices, you know, and if you're a church girl, you feel
guilty immediately.
You're a church girl, you feel guilty immediately. "oh, lord, forgive me, jesus!
Guilty immediately. "oh, lord, forgive me, jesus! I shouldn't have slept with
him," you know, all that kind of
stuff.
Him," you know, all that kind of stuff. So, the season is over, right,
and we start rehearsing for a
so, the season is over, right, and we start rehearsing for a new show.
And we start rehearsing for a new show. And so he comes to l.A.
New show. And so he comes to l.A. He's like, "oh, hey, you know,
and so he comes to l.A. He's like, "oh, hey, you know, help me rent a car," and I'm
he's like, "oh, hey, you know, help me rent a car," and I'm like, "oh, okay, cool," which is
dumb.
Like, "oh, okay, cool," which is dumb. "alright, well, maybe we can
split this hotel."
"okay, cool."
now, I'm not staying with him or
nothing, but, you know, I was
like, "alright."
so, he comes, my mom cooks for
him and everything.
So, he comes, my mom cooks for him and everything. We get to rehearsal.
Him and everything. We get to rehearsal. He comes to rehearsal
we get to rehearsal. He comes to rehearsal hand-in-hand with another girl,
he comes to rehearsal hand-in-hand with another girl, who he introduces as his
fiancée.
Who he introduces as his fiancée. Oooh-whoo!
Fiancée. Oooh-whoo! So, I, uh -- I'm a g, you know?
I mean, I'm not one of them
so, I, uh -- I'm a g, you know? I mean, I'm not one of them girls that go crazy, so I walked
straight up to her and said,
"hi, how are you?
Straight up to her and said, "hi, how are you? Nice to meet you?"
he's sweatin' bullets 'cause he
nice to meet you?" he's sweatin' bullets 'cause he don't know what I'm gonna say.
He's sweatin' bullets 'cause he don't know what I'm gonna say. I didn't -- you know, I didn't
trip, I didn't blow up his spot
or nothing like that.
Trip, I didn't blow up his spot or nothing like that. I said, "nice to meet you," and
I was like, "alright, see you in
rehearsal."
so, of course, later he calls
and, "I didn't mean to introduce
her like that, blah, blah,
blah."
I was like, "don't do none of
that.
You got me."
he was like, "why you acting
you got me." he was like, "why you acting like a dude?"
I was like, "is what you want to
do cry?
We're either together or we're
not.
Clearly, we're not.
Not. Clearly, we're not. Okay, I got the message.
You show me how to play the
okay, I got the message. You show me how to play the game, I'll play by the rules."
you show me how to play the game, I'll play by the rules." so, that was our -- that was the
end right there.
So, that was our -- that was the end right there. [ laughs ]
and I remember him calling me
later like, "oh, I was thinking
about you."
I was like, "you were not.
About you." I was like, "you were not. You just feel guilty and you
knew you had to see me on the
you just feel guilty and you knew you had to see me on the road, so you wanted to call
before to make sure things are
okay.
Before to make sure things are okay. Listen, I ain't mad at you.
Okay. Listen, I ain't mad at you. You got me.
You just will never, ever get me
you got me. You just will never, ever get me again."
you just will never, ever get me again." I'm grateful for that experience
because being in that
environment was super, super
competitive, so they would tell
you on a regular basis if you
did not sing good, you were
going home.
Did not sing good, you were going home. And so they would playfully be
like, "southwest, they sending
and so they would playfully be like, "southwest, they sending her home."
my first time up in sneaky, I
was a understudy, I was a
background singer, I sold
programs, and me and tina did
the wardrobe.
Programs, and me and tina did the wardrobe. So, we had to get to the city.
The wardrobe. So, we had to get to the city. We would have to make sure
so, we had to get to the city. We would have to make sure everybody's clothes were in
we would have to make sure everybody's clothes were in their dressing room, make sure
everything was clean, then we
could get dressed, and then we
had to go out front and sell
programs, but then we had to be
back at the start of the show to
make sure that we sang the
opening song.
Make sure that we sang the opening song. It was crazy hard work, and my
first time going up as an
it was crazy hard work, and my first time going up as an understudy, oh, it was terrible!
First time going up as an understudy, oh, it was terrible! Here's how I know it's terrible,
'cause if you sing good, the
here's how I know it's terrible, 'cause if you sing good, the wings are full when you singing.
When you killing it on stage and
you doing great, you look to the
when you killing it on stage and you doing great, you look to the side and you see everybody, and
they're cheering you on.
Side and you see everybody, and they're cheering you on. Well, I looked to the side, I
ain't see nobody in the wings.
I was like, "oh, god, tina, I'm
going home, I'm going home."
and so I just patiently waited
for, you know, that notice.
And so I just patiently waited for, you know, that notice. I never got it.
For, you know, that notice. I never got it. Luckily, we never got sent home
that way, but, ooh, that play
luckily, we never got sent home that way, but, ooh, that play life, if you not ready for it --
road life period, if you're not
ready for it, it will swallow
you whole.
Ready for it, it will swallow you whole. It will swallow you up.
You whole. It will swallow you up. Meeting warryn campbell, the
it will swallow you up. Meeting warryn campbell, the play was in l.A. At the
meeting warryn campbell, the play was in l.A. At the wilshire ebell.
Play was in l.A. At the wilshire ebell. He had come with his dad.
Wilshire ebell. He had come with his dad. As he tells it, he came, like,
he had come with his dad. As he tells it, he came, like, two nights before with an
as he tells it, he came, like, two nights before with an ex-girlfriend, and he said he
saw me come out on stage and he
said he was blown away.
Saw me come out on stage and he said he was blown away. So, he came back with his dad on
that Friday.
And so he was friends with
eric dawkins, and so eric
and so he was friends with eric dawkins, and so eric introduced us at the end of the
show.
Introduced us at the end of the show. And I remember he had this kind
of overcoat on, and we were
and I remember he had this kind of overcoat on, and we were standing in front of the
theater, and we met and
exchanged numbers, and he
invited me over to his house, so
I brought tina with me 'cause,
you know, in true church
fashion, you don't go over to no
boy's house by yourself.
Fashion, you don't go over to no boy's house by yourself. And so we go over there, and I'm
watching him make music, and I'm
and so we go over there, and I'm watching him make music, and I'm like, "oh, he's really, really
cute.
Like, "oh, he's really, really cute. He's really, really fine."
I watched him do his thing, and
he's really, really fine." I watched him do his thing, and I never really told him how
serious I was about being a
recording artist, because I
never wanted him to think that
that's why I was interested.
Never wanted him to think that that's why I was interested. I didn't even know that he had,
you know, been producing and
working with death row and snoop
and, you know, tupac and all
that stuff.
And, you know, tupac and all that stuff. I just knew that he was a cute
chocolate musician, and so we
talked like every, every single
day, and just got closer and
closer.
Day, and just got closer and closer. And, you know, it's funny
because when you're raised to
and, you know, it's funny because when you're raised to believe that secular music is a
sin and you can't play it or
listen to it or nothing, I was
like, "dang, I know he don't
play gospel, but there's
something kind of beautiful
about this guy."
eventually, it blossomed into
20 years of marriage and three
kids and church and, you know,
success in the music business,
and I love us together, I love
him as an individual.
And I love us together, I love him as an individual. I love that he allows me to be
me.
The journey of love was a
troublesome one, you know.
He's three years younger than
me, and so, you know, I had been
he's three years younger than me, and so, you know, I had been in serious relationships.
Me, and so, you know, I had been in serious relationships. He had not, so we kind of viewed
things differently, so that
he had not, so we kind of viewed things differently, so that allows a lot of mountains and
hills and valleys, but that's
what love is, and you don't get
to 20 years without hills and
valleys, and so...
To 20 years without hills and valleys, and so... So yeah, I love that guy.
Valleys, and so... So yeah, I love that guy. So, how did I start singing
so yeah, I love that guy. So, how did I start singing background?
Well, I met warryn in '96 while
singing for the play.
He came to the play with his
dad, and we met, exchanged
he came to the play with his dad, and we met, exchanged numbers, and started hanging
out, period, and he was working
for brandy.
Out, period, and he was working for brandy. He was playing for brandy, and I
think she had lost a singer, and
he was playing for brandy, and I think she had lost a singer, and so he was like, "my girl sings."
and so she had a date in alaska
and in hawaii.
And so she had a date in alaska and in hawaii. So I was able to go and sing
background for her, and she was
so I was able to go and sing background for her, and she was like 16.
Background for her, and she was like 16. It was like first, second
record, so it was early brandy.
But it was really -- it was
like, "wow," but let me tell you
but it was really -- it was like, "wow," but let me tell you how my church friends acted.
Like, "wow," but let me tell you how my church friends acted. [ laughs ]
so, when you're raised in
church, you know, secular music
is a sin.
Church, you know, secular music is a sin. You can't listen to it, you
can't sing it, none of that.
Only at weddings.
Can't sing it, none of that. Only at weddings. It's allowed at weddings.
So weird.
So, when I told my friends that
so weird. So, when I told my friends that I was singing with brandy, they
so, when I told my friends that I was singing with brandy, they was like, "you're singing r&b?!"
I was like, "yo, it's brandy.
Was like, "you're singing r&b?!" I was like, "yo, it's brandy. Like, it's fine.
I want to be down."
like, it's fine. I want to be down." they was like, "oh, god, you
goin' on the road.
They was like, "oh, god, you goin' on the road. Somebody gonna try to spike your
drink and somebody gonna take
somebody gonna try to spike your drink and somebody gonna take advantage of you."
I was like, "yo, I'm not going
to die on the road."
but it was a great experience.
To die on the road." but it was a great experience. I ended up singing for her, and
then for ray j, and since I was
singing background and tina
started doing background stuff,
and then we both sang for
eric benét and traveled, so I
had really, really great
experiences.
Had really, really great experiences. I learned a different side of
the business, 'cause when you
just see church, you just know
church, and I now know that the
reason god allowed that to be a
part of my path so I can learn
the other side of the business,
because my brand of gospel would
not just be for church people,
which was so cool to have that
opportunity to sing to people
who were not necessarily
"churched," right?
Who were not necessarily "churched," right? My uncle, who was my pastor at
the time, he -- I asked him.
I went to him, I was like, "how
you feel about this?"
he said, "you know what, I feel
like you're supposed to do
this."
he said, "when you're finished,
just come back to church, just
get back in the choir," and so
that's what I did.
Get back in the choir," and so that's what I did. I came back and got back in the
choir.
Not many of the church members
were happy about me getting back
not many of the church members were happy about me getting back in the choir.
Were happy about me getting back in the choir. They had lots to say.
In the choir. They had lots to say. They rolled they eyes and all
they had lots to say. They rolled they eyes and all that kind of stuff, but, you
they rolled they eyes and all that kind of stuff, but, you know, my uncle told me I was
cool, so I was cool.
Know, my uncle told me I was cool, so I was cool. I got right back in the choir
until it was time for my next
adventure in singing.
Until it was time for my next adventure in singing. So, me and tina didn't grow up
singing together.
We weren't a duo.
Singing together. We weren't a duo. At that time at home, we were
we weren't a duo. At that time at home, we were making up songs.
We didn't even know enough to
call ourselves songwriters.
We would make up songs, and we
had a demo of actually
we would make up songs, and we had a demo of actually "what a friend," which made it
to the first record, the
"thankful" record, and we played
it for warryn, and he liked it
and he was like, "y'all should
be a group."
and we were like, "hmm, okay,"
right?
And we were like, "hmm, okay," right? And so we start recording songs,
and we start writing.
We get a publishing deal first
at sony, and our first song was
we get a publishing deal first at sony, and our first song was on a music soundtrack, and I
believe it was
"dance, dance, dance."
we also did a song on
"stuart little," and then we did
a song called "let go, let god"
for the "prince of egypt"
soundtrack.
For the "prince of egypt" soundtrack. And we wrote, originally,
"shackles" for the
and we wrote, originally, "shackles" for the "prince of egypt" soundtrack,
but when we wrote the song, we
knew it was special immediately.
But when we wrote the song, we knew it was special immediately. And so warryn started playing it
for people, and people was like,
and so warryn started playing it for people, and people was like, "yo, who is this?"
and we decided to give another
song to the "prince of egypt"
soundtrack.
Song to the "prince of egypt" soundtrack. They got "let go, let god," and
we held onto "shackles," and
they got "let go, let god," and we held onto "shackles," and when he first started allowing
people to hear the song, it was
a bit of a little baby "bidding
war" on mary mary at that time.
A bit of a little baby "bidding war" on mary mary at that time. So we put our little coins
together, we flew to new york,
so we put our little coins together, we flew to new york, and you know new york is
expensive, so all we could
afford was one hotel room, so we
was all in the hotel room
praying, and we went to meet
with bad boy, and it was just an
interesting vibe, but it wasn't
a perfect fit.
Interesting vibe, but it wasn't a perfect fit. And then we went to columbia,
and that was the right fit, and
and then we went to columbia, and that was the right fit, and I remember us talking to
donnie ienner at the time.
Jesus.
Donnie ienner at the time. Jesus. So, they throw out a number and
jesus. So, they throw out a number and tina says, "if that's what we
so, they throw out a number and tina says, "if that's what we getting, what you getting?"
and I was like, "oh, god, oh,
god, they're not gonna sign us,
they're not gonna sign us."
he chuckled and he said, "oh,
you guys are smart."
♪ >> campbell: Well, lord, the gospel community.
If I could just be honest, they
didn't like us at first.
They just didn't.
Didn't like us at first. They just didn't. The way we came in the industry
they just didn't. The way we came in the industry was different, our budgets were
the way we came in the industry was different, our budgets were different, what we asked for was
different.
Different, what we asked for was different. I remember we got invited to
this city, and we were asking
for flights and we were asking
for car service, and the
promoters are like, "car
service?
Promoters are like, "car service? I'm just gonna pick you up
myself."
and he mentioned some other
gospel artists.
And he mentioned some other gospel artists. "well, I picked them up in my
car."
I was like, "that's great, but
we require car service," which
is not even a big stretch.
We require car service," which is not even a big stretch. But messages and things like
that will get out and get
but messages and things like that will get out and get around, and, you know, they
would just [laughs] act funny.
Around, and, you know, they would just [laughs] act funny. I remember being at the
stellar awards, and "shackles"
had come out, but we didn't
really get nominated for
anything, even though we had had
so much crossover success.
Anything, even though we had had so much crossover success. So, gospel radio didn't play us
first.
Mainstream radio did.
First. Mainstream radio did. Urban radio played us first, and
mainstream radio did. Urban radio played us first, and after urban radio played us,
urban radio played us first, and after urban radio played us, then gospel came in and started
playing it.
Then gospel came in and started playing it. But they weren't on board, and I
know that's how it goes
but they weren't on board, and I know that's how it goes sometimes when you come out with
something that's different, you
know, that doesn't sound like
the norm, doesn't sound like
everybody else.
The norm, doesn't sound like everybody else. You're gonna face some
adversity.
You're gonna face people going,
"what is this?
What are they talking about?"
so, you know, we just kept
what are they talking about?" so, you know, we just kept going, and the first time we
went to the stellars, we went --
it was a showcase and we were
singing "shackles."
and so we walk in and we're
getting ready to sing, we're on
the side of the stage and we're
terrified.
The side of the stage and we're terrified. And bobby jones and
vickie winans are up there.
And bobby jones introduced us.
Vickie winans are up there. And bobby jones introduced us. So when we first go up, nobody's
and bobby jones introduced us. So when we first go up, nobody's paying attention.
I mean, nobody.
Paying attention. I mean, nobody. It's a banquet, so you know what
it is like singing at a banquet.
You hear, "click, click, click,
click, click."
you hear, "click, click, click, click, click." everybody's drinking and talking
and moving.
Everybody's drinking and talking and moving. So we just start our song, you
know.
By the time we get to the
bridge, everybody's on their
by the time we get to the bridge, everybody's on their feet.
Bridge, everybody's on their feet. And I see vickie winans go, "who
are these girls?"
and I see vickie winans go, "who are these girls?" and it was such a good feeling
because when you sing for people
that you loved, when you sing
for people that you listen to,
that you want validation, that
you need validation from, you
want them to like it.
You need validation from, you want them to like it. And so, you know, even though
the beginning, they didn't --
and so, you know, even though the beginning, they didn't -- you know, they wasn't feeling
us, you know, you eventually
start seeing faces do this like,
"oh, wait a minute, they
singing-singing," you know?
And you see people start
standing up and you seeing them
and you see people start standing up and you seeing them clap, and so by the time we were
finished, of course, everybody
was on their feet, and, you
know, everybody that was there
that was press and media wanted
to interview us, and we were
like, "oh, my god!"
working with my sister tina --
amazing, fun, crazy.
Working with my sister tina -- amazing, fun, crazy. Got on my nerves.
Amazing, fun, crazy. Got on my nerves. Love her.
You know, arguments before we go
love her. You know, arguments before we go out on stage, and by the time we
you know, arguments before we go out on stage, and by the time we get to singing
"can't give up now," we're
hugging and crying.
[ laughs ]
so, so many things.
The beauty of our personalities,
I think, is what makes
the beauty of our personalities, I think, is what makes mary mary unique, that she's
much more feisty than I am, that
she's aggressive, that she
pushes a little bit more, which
taught me to push, which taught
me to be a little bit more open,
and I think the fact I am a
little calmer has, you know,
rubbed off on her some.
Little calmer has, you know, rubbed off on her some. And so you learn to be the yin
and the yang, you learn to
and so you learn to be the yin and the yang, you learn to support each other.
And the yang, you learn to support each other. The song "shackles," of course,
as many of you know, went on to
the song "shackles," of course, as many of you know, went on to be top five in the world, which
was crazy -- crazy, crazy.
Be top five in the world, which was crazy -- crazy, crazy. Like, we were in london doing
concerts with u2.
We did something called the
comeback of jesus in an arena
we did something called the comeback of jesus in an arena with 80,000 people banging on
the floor going, "mary mary!"
I was backstage boo-hoo crying
'cause I was like, "you let my
dream come true."
and so I'm so grateful that I
was able to do all of that with
my sisters, even though we
fought a lot.
My sisters, even though we fought a lot. We disagreed a lot.
Fought a lot. We disagreed a lot. With the love being the
we disagreed a lot. With the love being the foundation, you know that at the
with the love being the foundation, you know that at the core, you love one another, even
if you get mad.
Core, you love one another, even if you get mad. Some of the people that worked
for us would be a little
some of the people that worked for us would be a little overwhelming, like, "do y'all
want separate cars?
Overwhelming, like, "do y'all want separate cars? Y'all want different rooms?"
I was like, "no, I'mma be in the
y'all want different rooms?" I was like, "no, I'mma be in the car with my sister.
What is we talking about here?"
you know, 'cause everybody
what is we talking about here?" you know, 'cause everybody doesn't -- sister banter can be
really interesting.
Doesn't -- sister banter can be really interesting. It looks very argumentative.
Really interesting. It looks very argumentative. It looks very volatile.
All that, but we would get right
it looks very volatile. All that, but we would get right over it, get on stage, and do
all that, but we would get right over it, get on stage, and do what we had to do.
Over it, get on stage, and do what we had to do. We never let that come in
between us, and I think that's
we never let that come in between us, and I think that's from what my mom taught us.
Between us, and I think that's from what my mom taught us. You hug your sister and you
forgive your sister and you keep
you hug your sister and you forgive your sister and you keep going, you know?
♪
>> campbell: So, working with my husband as a solo artist was interesting.
Husband as a solo artist was interesting. One of the first things he said
to me was, "I don't know what
one of the first things he said to me was, "I don't know what you sound like as a solo
artist."
I was like, "what do you mean?
Artist." I was like, "what do you mean? You've been my producer all
through this mary mary, so what
you've been my producer all through this mary mary, so what you mean?"
he was like, "I know, but I'm
used to your voice with somebody
else.
Used to your voice with somebody else. I don't know what you sound
like.
I don't know what you -- I have
no idea what your music will
sound like."
so of course, I was offended,
'cause I felt insulted.
So of course, I was offended, 'cause I felt insulted. I felt like he was saying, "you
can't do this by yourself."
it didn't -- in my ears, it
didn't sound like, "I don't know
what you sound like."
it sounded like, "you can't do
this by yourself."
I was able to tell him later,
but our process of working
together was pretty, pretty
interesting because starting the
solo career was on the -- we
were doing the reality show.
Solo career was on the -- we were doing the reality show. I just lost my dad.
Were doing the reality show. I just lost my dad. Our former manager was suing us.
It was just -- it was so much
our former manager was suing us. It was just -- it was so much going on, so it was a
it was just -- it was so much going on, so it was a challenging time to create music
by myself knowing the world
loved mary mary.
By myself knowing the world loved mary mary. A lot of people were kind of not
on board 'cause it's like,
a lot of people were kind of not on board 'cause it's like, "you're from mary mary.
On board 'cause it's like, "you're from mary mary. Why are you singing this
churchy-churchy-sounding song?"
why are you singing this churchy-churchy-sounding song?" but it was -- it was true to
where I was.
But it was -- it was true to where I was. It was true to what I needed at
the time, and warryn was really,
it was true to what I needed at the time, and warryn was really, really, really hard in the
studio, as he always is,
probably because the stakes were
higher because, you know, it was
something that it wasn't what
people were asking for.
Something that it wasn't what people were asking for. It was just I was giving it to
him.
So about three weeks before the
record was due to come out, I
so about three weeks before the record was due to come out, I lost all of my team.
Record was due to come out, I lost all of my team. They all quit.
Lost all of my team. They all quit. Conflict within the team, didn't
they all quit. Conflict within the team, didn't believe in the song, didn't
conflict within the team, didn't believe in the song, didn't believe in how things were
working, and they literally
bounced -- deuces.
Working, and they literally bounced -- deuces. I was devastated, and I was
like, "lord, why would you have
me do this if I'm not supposed
to be doing this, if it's not
gonna work?"
I knew the label believed in me.
Gonna work?" I knew the label believed in me. They were super supportive, but
the team that I had hired, that
they were super supportive, but the team that I had hired, that I thought would fight for me did
not.
But we kept going, and the
people that I acquired right
but we kept going, and the people that I acquired right after that were people that were
supposed to be on that team.
After that were people that were supposed to be on that team. So, being a solo artist, you
want to get invited to the
so, being a solo artist, you want to get invited to the stellar awards.
Want to get invited to the stellar awards. You want to sing on the
stellar awards, and so it was a
you want to sing on the stellar awards, and so it was a brand-new song, and so my team
calls and they're trying to
pitch me for the show.
Calls and they're trying to pitch me for the show. And the stellar awards comes
back with, "we'll give her a
and the stellar awards comes back with, "we'll give her a minute and 34 seconds."
I was a little taken aback
because I'm like, "y'all know
me.
Because I'm like, "y'all know me. I've hosted two or three times.
Me. I've hosted two or three times. I've won several."
so, I felt like I could get a
solo spot.
So, I felt like I could get a solo spot. Nope.
Solo spot. Nope. A minute and 34 seconds.
I had a lighting person.
I hired laurieann gibson, the
choreographer.
Custom outfit made.
Choreographer. Custom outfit made. I went all out, and on top of
custom outfit made. I went all out, and on top of that, because they knew
mary mary and they had that
experience, I had to come in and
be a top-notch artist, and when
I say top-notch artist, I don't
mean bad attitude, I don't mean
late, I don't mean demanding.
Mean bad attitude, I don't mean late, I don't mean demanding. I mean be there on time, and I
was.
I mean speak to people, and I
did.
I mean say thank you to the
producers, be kind.
And you know how rehearsals go
at awards shows.
It's a bunch of "hurry up and
wait.
Get there at this time, but
you're probably not gonna sing
get there at this time, but you're probably not gonna sing for another two hours."
and I sat there and I was polite
and they said, "do you want to
go," and I was like, "no, I'll
stay, I'm fine," because I had
to help them understand who I am
as a solo artist.
To help them understand who I am as a solo artist. I'mma give it everything that I
have, and I did, and the
performance wasn't even just
about me.
Performance wasn't even just about me. I wanted to make sure that even
the women that I sang with, that
we were all on stage, that we
all looked good.
We were all on stage, that we all looked good. The lighting wasn't just for me,
it was for them, too, because I
the lighting wasn't just for me, it was for them, too, because I put everything I had into that
minute and 34 seconds.
Put everything I had into that minute and 34 seconds. Well, fast forward past that
performance.
The next year, I was nominated
for eight and won all eight, and
the next year, I was nominated for eight and won all eight, and then the year after that, I
hosted the awards with
anthony brown.
Hosted the awards with anthony brown. When you're doing something new
that people don't know, you have
when you're doing something new that people don't know, you have to push.
That people don't know, you have to push. I could've been in my feelings
and left and been like, "no, I'm
never gonna sing again."
why? I love singing.
Never gonna sing again." why? I love singing. I love who I sing for.
Why? I love singing. I love who I sing for. I'm singing for god.
While I appreciate their
approval and I appreciate their
while I appreciate their approval and I appreciate their applause, my validation comes
from god.
Applause, my validation comes from god. He gave me this gift.
From god. He gave me this gift. That's who I keep pushing for.
That's why I kept going, and I'm
that's who I keep pushing for. That's why I kept going, and I'm so grateful, so grateful that I
that's why I kept going, and I'm so grateful, so grateful that I did, and I believe I eventually
won some people over.
Did, and I believe I eventually won some people over. You know, hard work and
diligence and making sure that
you know, hard work and diligence and making sure that it's excellent can never be
ignored.
It's excellent can never be ignored. The white dress.
Ignored. The white dress. I remember I had just had zaya,
the white dress. I remember I had just had zaya, so I'd lost a little weight.
I was feeling a little good
about myself, and so j. Bolden,
the stylist for that particular
shoot, put me in this white
two-piece.
Shoot, put me in this white two-piece. The image came out amazing, so I
immediately sent it to my
the image came out amazing, so I immediately sent it to my husband, to my family, and they
were like, "oh, my god, this is
awesome, this is amazing."
and when you get that support
from your family, you go, "we're
good."
so, the picture comes out.
Good." so, the picture comes out. It was supposed to be the album
cover, but it ended up being the
it was supposed to be the album cover, but it ended up being the press release, which went
everywhere really fast.
Press release, which went everywhere really fast. Well, somebody on facebook did
not like the white dress, child.
So they did this whole thing
about what I was trying to do
so they did this whole thing about what I was trying to do and how it was so sexy, and I'm
like, "you ain't ever seen
nobody in a fitted dress
before?"
like, come on.
Before?" like, come on. It was just -- it was so absurd,
and to this day, I still don't
it was just -- it was so absurd, and to this day, I still don't understand what all the fuss was
over.
Understand what all the fuss was over. Yes, I have curves.
Over. Yes, I have curves. I'm a grown woman.
I'm a grown, married woman, and
sexy is not a sin.
And I was so hurt by being
misunderstood because that's one
and I was so hurt by being misunderstood because that's one thing that I really, really
don't like.
Thing that I really, really don't like. I don't like being
misunderstood, and even though
I'm not one to explain myself
and feel like I have to prove
myself, it was just really
hurtful because they came for
everything.
Hurtful because they came for everything. They came for my faith, they
came for my intentions, just
they came for my faith, they came for my intentions, just everything.
Came for my intentions, just everything. I just think that the big gap
between christianity and
sexuality has been quite
dangerous for the church, in my
opinion.
Dangerous for the church, in my opinion. I think because we don't talk
about it, because we don't
address it, people have to get
their information from somewhere
else, and if we did address it,
sex and sexuality and how we
look and not just hold the women
responsible for how they look.
Look and not just hold the women responsible for how they look. Do I believe that we should be
modest?
Absolutely.
Modest? Absolutely. I don't think that you should
absolutely. I don't think that you should show everything, but I think it
was more of a blessing than a
curse, and you have to be tough
enough to deal with that kind of
stuff.
Enough to deal with that kind of stuff. One thing I love about my mama,
thomasina atkins, she always
one thing I love about my mama, thomasina atkins, she always told me, "you can live anything
down.
Told me, "you can live anything down. Just keep going, just keep
living.
Just keep being who you are,
just keep doing great music.
Plus, another scandal's coming
out next week.
They'll be over yours.
Out next week. They'll be over yours. It's fine."
>> campbell: Being a mother is one of the best jobs I could ever have in life.
One of the best jobs I could ever have in life. I remember finding out I was
pregnant with krista.
Even though that wasn't an
intentional pregnancy, I was
even though that wasn't an intentional pregnancy, I was super excited about carrying a
baby, and I talked to her in my
stomach and I sang songs to her
and I just -- man, I went
overboard with krista and the
beautiful girl that she is
today.
Beautiful girl that she is today. I prayed for her to be brown and
I wanted her to have the cheeks
that she has and I wanted her to
have the personality that she
has.
Have the personality that she has. God gave me just what I asked
for.
And then wozy came and then zaya
came.
I was patient with wozy.
Came. I was patient with wozy. Like, I rushed the girls out.
So, I got tired of being
like, I rushed the girls out. So, I got tired of being pregnant, so at 37.5 weeks, the
so, I got tired of being pregnant, so at 37.5 weeks, the doctors said the baby was
complete, and so I just -- I
just helped them a little bit
and had the babies early.
Just helped them a little bit and had the babies early. But when I got pregnant with
wozy, I just let him take his
but when I got pregnant with wozy, I just let him take his sweet time.
Wozy, I just let him take his sweet time. I didn't work as much.
Sweet time. I didn't work as much. I was chillin', and it's
reflected in his personality.
And then with zaya, I was in
full work mode.
I was -- we recorded "go get it"
when I was pregnant with zaya,
doing the reality show.
When I was pregnant with zaya, doing the reality show. And I remember rushing her out
because I wanted to go to the
and I remember rushing her out because I wanted to go to the grammys because we were
nominated either for "god in me"
or "go get it."
I can't remember which song.
Or "go get it." I can't remember which song. And me and tina fussed so much
we never even made it there and
and me and tina fussed so much we never even made it there and didn't win that year.
We never even made it there and didn't win that year. [ laughs ]
so I did all of that for
nothing.
So I did all of that for nothing. But I learned my lesson.
Nothing. But I learned my lesson. My kids are my priority.
Now, I do know that in being in
my kids are my priority. Now, I do know that in being in the business, you're going to
now, I do know that in being in the business, you're going to miss some things, but I'm
dedicated to being at all the
special moments in my children's
life, dedicated to raising them
with love, raising them with
god, raising them to believe in
themselves, to know that there's
greatness on the inside of them.
Themselves, to know that there's greatness on the inside of them. Those life lessons are crucial,
and you have to tell them
those life lessons are crucial, and you have to tell them continuously.
And you have to tell them continuously. They don't always listen, not
immediately.
So she may make some left turns
that I don't want her to.
She may choose some things that
I don't want her to, but if I
she may choose some things that I don't want her to, but if I put the right thing in her,
she'll be okay.
Put the right thing in her, she'll be okay. And I believe all my kids will
be okay.
So, while I was making this record in 2013, my father had cancer, and when you're a
faith-filled family, you believe
god is gonna heal.
Faith-filled family, you believe god is gonna heal. Like, you never even consider
that he might not be healed.
And so my family was praying,
praying, praying, and we went to
and so my family was praying, praying, praying, and we went to tina's house and had this
celebratory prayer service, and
we danced and sung, and we just
believed that he was gonna be
healed.
Believed that he was gonna be healed. Well, he got his healing another
way, and went on to be with the
well, he got his healing another way, and went on to be with the lord.
Way, and went on to be with the lord. And if you -- if you trust in
love god, you have to accept it,
and if you -- if you trust in love god, you have to accept it, even though it doesn't feel
good.
Even though it doesn't feel good. Even though we didn't -- you
know, I was married and grown
even though we didn't -- you know, I was married and grown and on my own, just not having
my dad on the planet was just --
it was just kind of
life-shaking.
It was just kind of life-shaking. And then having to create music
and knowing that I had to kind
and then having to create music and knowing that I had to kind of push extra hard -- we were
also doing the reality show, so
there was all of that.
Also doing the reality show, so there was all of that. It was just -- it was a lot,
man, a lot for my heart to take.
And we were talking about the
service, and...
[ sighs ]
...And we were talking about
singing for my dad.
[ voice breaking ] and I
couldn't do it.
I couldn't do it.
Couldn't do it. I couldn't do it. I wanted to sing at the
celebration and I wanted to sing
at his service, but I just -- I
just wanted to sit on the front
row and just cry and just be
there in the service.
Row and just cry and just be there in the service. And my sisters sang, they got
up.
I just -- I couldn't do it.
Up. I just -- I couldn't do it. Sorry, daddy.
I should've sang for the service
sorry, daddy. I should've sang for the service and I didn't.
So, you just keep going.
And I didn't. So, you just keep going. I think he would be proud now,
so, you just keep going. I think he would be proud now, though.
I think he'd say, "it's okay,
plum."
that's what he'd call me.
Plum." that's what he'd call me. "it's okay."
>> campbell: How do I feel about the current state of gospel music?
The current state of gospel music? It's interesting.
Music? It's interesting. There's some good, there's some
it's interesting. There's some good, there's some bad.
There's some people who you can
tell their heart is in the right
there's some people who you can tell their heart is in the right place, but they're also very
professional.
Place, but they're also very professional. I think it's a lot of people
doing great, but I think some
people have kind of come in the
industry with their fist up.
People have kind of come in the industry with their fist up. "man, they ain't gonna support
me.
Man, you know," and that's just
the wrong attitude, 'cause just
man, you know," and that's just the wrong attitude, 'cause just like I was told when I started
my solo career, we don't really
know you.
My solo career, we don't really know you. You may absolutely be great, but
you got to prove yourself.
It is what it is.
You got to prove yourself. It is what it is. This ain't your church.
Yes, they love you at your
this ain't your church. Yes, they love you at your church.
The industry may not.
Church. The industry may not. You can't be in your feelings.
You got to work hard, but you
you can't be in your feelings. You got to work hard, but you also have to be professional and
you got to work hard, but you also have to be professional and you also have to remember that
your reputation will precede
you, so it's a lot to learn.
Your reputation will precede you, so it's a lot to learn. You know, this is a different
day and age, and so I'm always
you know, this is a different day and age, and so I'm always for the change, but I just want
to make sure that the heart is
right.
To make sure that the heart is right. Whether you are singing for a
church audience or a non-church
whether you are singing for a church audience or a non-church audience, I want you to make
sure that your heart is in the
right place, because that's what
matters the most, 'cause we can
tell when you're faking.
Matters the most, 'cause we can tell when you're faking. We really can.
Tell when you're faking. We really can. We love you, though.
♪ >> campbell: So, how do you recover from bad business
relationships?
Recover from bad business relationships? Uh...You got to be mature enough
to allow people to be human.
So, the different managers that
I've had over time and having to
so, the different managers that I've had over time and having to let those managers go was never
easy, never comfortable, and
because I know this gospel
industry is small, I just don't
believe in racking up enemies.
Industry is small, I just don't believe in racking up enemies. I just don't.
Believe in racking up enemies. I just don't. So, you know, you let somebody
go, and you never know where
so, you know, you let somebody go, and you never know where it's gonna come back.
Go, and you never know where it's gonna come back. You never know if they are
talking bad about you, which
you never know if they are talking bad about you, which they probably were.
Talking bad about you, which they probably were. You know, whatever.
They probably were. You know, whatever. But because this bubble is
you know, whatever. But because this bubble is small, you're gonna see them
but because this bubble is small, you're gonna see them again.
Small, you're gonna see them again. And you're literally on stage
singing "in the morning it'll be
and you're literally on stage singing "in the morning it'll be alright.
Singing "in the morning it'll be alright. I can't give up now."
you're literally telling people
to be loving and to be forgiving
and you can overcome anything.
To be loving and to be forgiving and you can overcome anything. There's no way you can be on
stage singing and telling people
there's no way you can be on stage singing and telling people you can overcome anything, and
then I'm holding this grudge
because you sued me.
Then I'm holding this grudge because you sued me. Plus, I know I'mma see you all
the time.
So I went out of my way to make
sure that we could reconcile.
>> hey, congratulations on the
new show.
How's it going?
New show. How's it going? >> campbell: So, I went into
how's it going? >> campbell: So, I went into reality tv knowing that it was a
big commercial.
Reality tv knowing that it was a big commercial. A commercial for who you are and
a commercial for what you do.
It allowed us to kind of still
be, you know, present even
it allowed us to kind of still be, you know, present even though we weren't putting out
music, and it was also very hard
on my family because every show
needs a villain.
On my family because every show needs a villain. And even though you take
meetings with people and they
and even though you take meetings with people and they tell you things like, "black
people like drama, this is what
they want," I'm like, "not this
black woman."
I know a whole lot of black
women that don't want this.
But that's what I heard from the
executives, and so even though
but that's what I heard from the executives, and so even though we made our attempts being an
executive producer, being able
to do some of the cuts and watch
some of the things, there was a
lot that didn't make it and
there was a lot that did that
just some of it was good and
some of it was not.
Just some of it was good and some of it was not. And I just didn't want to keep
subjecting my family to that.
Fast forward to doing
"we're the campbells," with my
fast forward to doing "we're the campbells," with my family, we were very, very
protective of our children, and
I believe some good messages
were able to come out, but it
didn't last.
Were able to come out, but it didn't last. I guess there wasn't enough
drama.
And I always told them from day
one, "I'mma be a gospel artist
and I always told them from day one, "I'mma be a gospel artist after this show is over.
One, "I'mma be a gospel artist after this show is over. You can't just put anything out
there."
you can't just put anything out there." so we chose to not do the show
anymore.
So we chose to not do the show anymore. California worship center.
Anymore. California worship center. A little backstory -- when me
california worship center. A little backstory -- when me and warryn got together, he's a
a little backstory -- when me and warryn got together, he's a producer, I'm a singer.
And warryn got together, he's a producer, I'm a singer. We have this great life, we
travel and sing.
Of course we're members of a
church, we go to church, but we
of course we're members of a church, we go to church, but we don't, you know, have to be
there every single Sunday.
Don't, you know, have to be there every single Sunday. So, I was used to that as my
life.
So he starts hanging out with
preachers, hanging out with
so he starts hanging out with preachers, hanging out with bishops.
Preachers, hanging out with bishops. Then he wants to go to seminary,
and I'm like, "lord, we talked
then he wants to go to seminary, and I'm like, "lord, we talked about this, and I told you I
don't want a pastor, and I don't
want to be a first lady."
so, he starts the bible study,
and I'm like, "alright, we can
start a bible study," and the
first bible study, we have about
70 people.
First bible study, we have about 70 people. So, warryn eventually comes to
me and tells me that he wants to
so, warryn eventually comes to me and tells me that he wants to start a church.
Me and tells me that he wants to start a church. And so my first answer is, "god
told you that, not me."
and so my first answer is, "god told you that, not me." but I realized that my "no" kind
of held him hostage, because
when you're married, the two
become one.
When you're married, the two become one. He couldn't do this without my
support.
And our church grew really fast.
Support. And our church grew really fast. We were in this school and had,
and our church grew really fast. We were in this school and had, like, 700 people.
I mean, all kind of celebrities
coming, probably because it's
california.
Coming, probably because it's california. And after his message, I went up
to give him a hug, and I
and after his message, I went up to give him a hug, and I whispered in his ear and I said,
"baby, I'm with you, and I'm
with you 100%.
This is not just your church,
it's our church."
fast forward to being six years
in, seven years in, I love my
church, and it's fine.
Somehow it's all worked out.
God has given me the grace to do
it, and that's kind of been a
theme for me.
All that I do, if god opens the
door, I'll walk through it.
He'll give me the grace to do
it.
I don't know the doors that
he'll open.
I don't know the doors that
he'll close, but whatever it is,
he'll give me the grace to
handle it.
He'll give me everything that I
need to be everything that I
need.