Erica Campbell Says Young Girls Should See Sexy Christian Images Amid Dress Backlash
Erica Campbell, one half of the gospel music duo Mary Mary, believes the Christian community may need to have a candid conversation about sexuality after she was recently criticized for posting a picture of herself in a form fitting white dress on Instagram.
While Campbell, 41, was not showing any skin in her white turtleneck dress, the hip hugging garment did accentuate the gospel singer's curves. After her Instagram photograph received some backlash, Campbell spoke about people recognizing their beauty in God.
"This is about confidence and realizing that God made you and that you are beautiful just the way you are," she told ESSENCE.com recently. "I think that young girls shouldn't only get sexy images from people who are not proclaiming Jesus. But I am. And I'm cute too."
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However, people like Apostle Stacey Woods of Impact Outreach Ministries, Inc. spoke out against Campbell's image on Facebook.
"THIS IS NOT OKAY. Yes, you are a beautiful, curvy woman…but NO MA'AM YOU ARE SINGING THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST," Woods wrote. "Saints…smh COME ON."
While others disagreed with Campbell's choice to showcase the picture, the gospel singer defended herself.
"I'm taking it in stride and I'm keeping it moving," Campbell told ESSENCE.com. "When we took the picture I felt beautiful, I felt confident, I felt sexy and I felt strong."
Campbell said she showed her husband and family the image which they appreciated. Her sister and fellow Mary Mary singer Tina Campbell defended the image.
"Our whole family loved it," Tina insisted to Essence. "You see grace, you see beauty, you see elegance and style. It's wholesome."
Still, Erica wanted it to be known that she did not mean to offend anybody.
"I thought I looked cute," she said. "But it obviously offended some people, which was never my intention."
