Kirk Franklin and Responding to Criticism
A strong brand doesn’t require perfection. It does involve doing the right thing more often than not. It also involves being accountable when you make a mistake. This is exactly what Kirk Franklin did recently. From a PR perspective, he handled recent criticism with soberness of mind, sincerity and authenticity. We could not have asked for a better response. Let me explain why.
A Controversial Year for Franklin
Gospel artist Kirk Franklin received heavy criticism in 2024 from his fanbase for actions deemed as disrespectful to Christianity. Franklin was a part of multiple viral incidents that he would eventually apologize for in a video early this year.
Franklin wore a tight fitting, sleeveless shirt and white jean shorts while performing in Jamaica. The outfit, which revealed Franklin’s figure, was seen as inappropriate for a gospel concert. This was followed by a viral video of Franklin performing with the vocal group The Clark Sisters. Franklin begins dancing with Jacky Clark Chisolm, gyrating his hips in a manner many saw as “twerking” while on stage. This also resulted in backlash from his fans.
The BET Awards and Franklin’s Response
The year of scandal came to a head at this year’s BET Awards, where Franklin received the Ultimate Icon Award. Host Kevin Hart addressed Franklin’s controversial year in a joke, saying, “Kirk, do me a favor. When you get your award tonight, don’t come up here front twerking… He be trying to blame it on the Lord. The Lord didn’t ask for that.”
While Hart’s words were said in a playful manner, Franklin himself expressed fatigue with the criticism he faced for these actions prior to the award show. In a moment where Franklin’s frustrations could boil over, he instead leaned into the criticism. He took the controversy head on in his award acceptance speech.
“I’m not a perfect Christian, I’m not a perfect husband, and we all know I’m not a perfect father. I’m not even a perfect artist because I can’t even sing. Which makes this award even more amazing because what I really do don’t make sense. And if you’re listening to this, that’s when you know it’s God – when it don’t make sense,” Franklin said.
Honesty in the Face of Adversity
Franklin’s speech is exactly what you’d ask for as a publicist. Franklin was honest, sincere, and understanding of the narrative surrounding him. He took accountability when the lights were bright. As a Christian artist, he used his situation to deliver a positive message about God. Most importantly, he showed his humility by thanking his family, friends, and fellow musicians.
Instead of trying to prove himself right, Franklin accepted that he isn’t a perfect person. This was a relatable message to viewers because no person of any lifestyle or creed is perfect. As stated on previous blogs, a big factor in properly communicating your message is understanding your audience and their needs. Whether he realized it or not, the grace and humility Franklin showed in his speech is exactly what his fanbase – both religious and secular – needed to hear from him.
If you’re ever in a controversy, Spotlight PR can help you deliver the right message. Contact us and schedule a consultation to see how we can help serve you.
Andre White is the Digital Media Specialist of Spotlight PR LLC. Check out our other writings on our blog, The Pitch.