Kim Burrell has sparked controversy on X over a viral video of her hushing a churchgoer for interrupting her solo performance.
The gospel singer has since hopped on to social media to address the widely shared clip.
Kim Burrell Silences Woman For Interrupting Her Solo Performance
In the video, filmed at a recent church service, Burrell can be heard singing the hymn, ‘Thank You, Lord.’
During her performance, however, she suddenly takes notice of another woman singing along to the song.
Burrell interjected by telling the congregant – who was wearing a face mask – to pipe down. “Let that mask work for you. I’m singing alone,” she said.
The unidentified worshiper carried on singing, prompting Burrell to become increasingly annoyed as she reiterated her words.
It wasn’t long before the clip began to surface online, sparking quite a response from opinionated social media users.
Many were against how Burrell spoke to the woman, calling her actions “rude.”
Kim Burrell Responds To Backlash
On Wednesday (January 24), the 51-year-old decided to address the backlash by explaining that the solo was part of her ministry.
“I’m in the middle of ministry, and you know how you close out a sermon?” she said.
“And I’m singing ‘thank you, lord,’ I’m thinking I’m singing a solo, and you always got that one that has to join in, and I heard her, y’all.”
“Sometimes when I operate publicly, everybody doesn’t understand the dispensation of what I’m operating in, they just see me as Kim the singer that’s not being ‘the singer,’ who is not always the singer. I’m the preacher, I’m the person with the gift of prophetic.”
Burrell also made sure to clear up what she meant when she made a comment about the woman’s face mask.
“COVID is starting to rise again, just like I told her, let that mask work for you!” she added.
Social Media Reacts
The user @JonseyJones1 stated that while they were amused by Burrell’s behavior during the service, they questioned whether the ‘Thank You Jesus’ singer knew she was rude.
😩😭🤣😂 Kim! KIM BURRELL! WHY?! You are just honestly and naturally rude. I'm coming to hear you sing because you are comedy! Do you even know you are rude?! 😳😳😬😵😩😭🤣😂 Kim got that act up and show out spirit. https://t.co/XS9eJADTEo
— Jonsey Jones (@JonseyJones1) January 24, 2024
“Kim! KIM BURRELL! WHY?! You are just honestly and naturally rude. I’m coming to hear you sing because you are comedy! Do you even know you are rude?! Kim got that act up and show out spirit.”
Another user by the name @___bjw___ appeared to share similar sentiments, claiming the only time she’s trending is for being rude to others.
Kim Burrell always in the media trending, and it’s never for nothing good. How you gone stop someone’s praise? 😵💫 I thought the whole purpose of praise and worship or devotion was to engage the congregation? She had a mean spirit ever since she got called out on Sunday Best.🤦🏽♀️ pic.twitter.com/nqA97kzVM3
— Bianca Wilson (@___bjw___) January 24, 2024
“Kim Burrell always in the media trending, and it’s never for nothing good. How you gone stop someone’s praise?” they wrote. “I thought the whole purpose of praise and worship or devotion was to engage the congregation? She had a mean spirit ever since she got called out on Sunday Best.”
Another Twitter page, which proclaims to be a “Kim Burrell stan page,” shared an additional clip of what happened shortly after she silenced the member of the congregation.
They wrote, “So yall make sure tell the whole story…she invited that lady up to sing AFTER the moment.”
In the accompanying video, filmed moments after the incident, Burrell invited the woman onto the stage and explained why she initially asked her to be quiet.
She then proceeded by asking the woman to join her for a performance of a different song as they sang and danced together while fellow parishioners cheered along.
Look I told y’all before…this is a Kim Burrell Stan page and no slander will be tolerated lol. So yall make sure tell the whole story…she invited that lady up to sing AFTER the moment pic.twitter.com/VwHdxEjAPn
— Symplee Chris (@symplee_chris) January 25, 2024
