Christian singer explains early departure from Grammy Awards

Originally published in Christian News

Contemporary Christian music artist Natalie Grant has issued a response to critics who are blasting her for walking out of the Grammy Awards show last Sunday, or as she characterized it—she left early.

“We left the Grammy’s early,” Grant, who was nominated for two awards, posted on Facebook Sunday evening. “I’ve many thoughts about the show tonight, most of which are probably better left inside my head. But I’ll say this: I’ve never been more honored to sing about Jesus and for Jesus. And I’ve never been more sure of the path I’ve chosen.”

While the Dove award-winning singer did not cite her reasons for leaving, many are noting that several of the performances that night were concerning.

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The sexually-charged duet featuring Beyoncé and her husband Jay-Z was characterized by some as “raunchy,” a witch-themed performance by Katy Perry was dubbed as being “Satanic” in nature, and many expressed disgust at the mass same-sex (and heterosexual) “wedding” that was officiated by Queen Latifah on stage following a performance of the homosexual advocacy song “One Love,” sung by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis.

Following Grant’s status update, a number of those who learned about her early departure took to Grant’s Facebook page to lambaste her and her stand—many of whom assumed she left because of the same-sex “wedding” that was to be officiated.

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“It’s unfortunate that you follow a God who has conditional love,” one commenter wrote. “I follow a God who loves and embraces all kinds.”

“Jesus would be saddened and ashamed of homophobia,” another asserted.

Seeing that her post resulted in a firestorm of controversy, Grant wrote a lengthy follow-up status to further explain.

“I never said I left during any particular performance. I only said I left early,” she stated. “I never pointed out any one particular performance; I only said I had many thoughts about the entire show, which were best left inside my head and that is where they will stay. So those who say I condemned one performance but then condoned others clearly did not read the post.”

“I’ve judged no one. I hate no one. And I believe that every person has been created in the image of God,” Grant continued. “What I did say is this: I am honored to be a part of the Christian music community. I’ve had many people throughout my career ask why I never tried to go in to mainstream music, and last night was a beautiful reminder that I love singing about Jesus and for Jesus.”

Grammy award nominee Mandisa said that she sat out the awards show completely this year as she did not wish to subject herself to temptation.

“I have been struggling with being in the world, not of it lately. I have fallen prey to the alluring pull of flesh, pride, and selfish desires quite a bit recently,” she wrote on Facebook regarding her decision to skip the event. “I knew that submerging myself into an environment that celebrates those things was risky for me at this time.”

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Natalie Grant is known for her songs “Held,” “I Will Not Be Moved” and “Alive.”