Gospel Gone Too Far? Dietrich Haddon Calls Out Kirk Franklin & BET Awards for “Mocking God” Amid Glorilla Controversy

When the 2025 BET Awards aired, fans expected the usual star-studded lineup, flashy performances, and red carpet buzz. What they didn’t expect was a firestorm of controversy that would ignite a spiritual battle within the gospel community. The catalyst? A fiery rebuke by gospel artist and pastor Dietrich Haddon, who publicly slammed Kirk Franklin, the BET production team, and even fellow gospel artists for what he called a blatant mockery of the sacred under the guise of entertainment.

Now, just days after the show, social media is ablaze, spiritual leaders are choosing sides, and the question many are asking is chilling: Has the gospel been sold out for showbiz?

Dietrich Haddon’s Viral Rebuke: “That Wasn’t God, That Was Ritual”

In a now-viral Instagram Live stream, Dietrich Haddon didn’t mince words. “What I saw on that stage wasn’t God,” he said. “That was ritual. That was mockery. That was mixing the holy with the profane.”

His passionate denunciation was directed at none other than Kirk Franklin—long considered a pioneer of modern gospel music. Haddon specifically took issue with Franklin’s elaborate performance, which featured a gospel choir surrounded by dark, smoky visuals, dancers in black robes, unsettling hand gestures, and an ominous red eye projected on the screen—an image many connected to the “all-seeing eye” or Illuminati symbolism.

To many viewers, it looked like a bold, creative reimagining of gospel for a younger generation. But to Haddon and thousands who echoed his concerns, it felt like a spiritual compromise—one that blurred the lines between praise and performance.

And Haddon didn’t stop there.

“Y’all scared to lose your check,” he said, taking aim at silent gospel artists. “But you already lost your anointing if you can’t stand for God when it counts.”

The gospel community was shaken. Some called him brave for speaking truth to power. Others dismissed it as jealous grandstanding. Either way, Haddon had ignited a conversation the gospel world could no longer ignore.

Glorilla’s Mockery of Her Gospel Win Sparks Spiritual Outrage

As if Haddon’s critique wasn’t enough, rapper Glorilla unintentionally poured gasoline on the fire with her own bizarre backstage antics. After receiving an award in a new BET category that honored artists bridging secular and inspirational music, Glorilla was caught on camera seemingly mocking the Holy Spirit.

In a viral video clip, she giggled while pretending to speak in tongues, made exaggerated facial gestures, twisted her eyes, and proclaimed, “I’m the Holy Ghost now, baby!” before throwing up hand signs that many online claimed resembled occult symbolism.

Was it satire? Was she playing? Some fans brushed it off as Glorilla just being quirky. But for others, especially within the Christian community, it was a slap in the face.

One gospel influencer asked bluntly, “Did BET just let someone mock the anointing on national TV and call it entertainment?”

To make matters worse, BET made no official statement. Neither did Kirk Franklin, who was present at the event. That collective silence only deepened the wound for many believers who felt gospel culture had not just been ignored—but openly mocked.

Kirk Franklin’s Performance Under a Spiritual Microscope

Kirk Franklin has long been hailed as the bridge between the church and the culture. Since the 1990s, he’s redefined what gospel sounds—and looks—like. But this BET Awards performance may be the most divisive of his career.

Online spiritual sleuths dissected the show frame by frame. The stage lighting—mostly red and purple—was paired with black-robed dancers who encircled Franklin as he knelt at the center. At one point, a large red eye appeared on the screen, prompting viewers to compare the scene to a ritual ceremony.

Franklin’s wardrobe—a black and crimson jacket with metallic patterns—also sparked concern. Some said it resembled Masonic imagery or esoteric symbolism, though others dismissed the claims as conspiracy-fueled paranoia.

But perhaps the most damning critique came not from the visuals, but from the atmosphere. “I didn’t feel the Spirit of God,” one YouTube commenter said. “I felt entertained. And that’s the problem.”

Was it worship? Or was it spectacle?

Gospel Community in Chaos: Praise or Performance?

The aftermath of the BET Awards has divided the gospel world in ways not seen in recent memory. Prominent figures are choosing sides—some vocally, others with subtle shade.

Pastor Jamal Bryant defended Franklin, calling his performance “culturally disruptive and theologically inspired.” In contrast, gospel singer Kim Burrell dropped a cryptic line on her livestream: “You don’t need smoke and mirrors to carry the anointing. Either you have it or you don’t.”

Meanwhile, Chandler Moore of Maverick City Music, known for diplomatic answers, shocked many by stating, “Even fathers need correction sometimes—and we have to protect what’s sacred.”

Even CeCe Winans joined the fray, posting on Instagram: “Purity still matters. Holiness isn’t outdated.” No names were mentioned, but the gospel world knew exactly who the message was for.

And then came the twist: BET quietly deleted Glorilla’s controversial backstage clip from all their social platforms—without explanation. The move only intensified suspicion that something inappropriate had happened and the network was trying to cover its tracks.

A Decades-Long Build-Up: Is This Kirk’s Breaking Point?

To understand why this moment feels so pivotal, we must look back at Kirk Franklin’s career. Ever since his 1993 debut with Kirk Franklin and The Family, he’s been at the center of gospel’s modernization. From Stomp to Revolution, Kirk has pushed boundaries, mixing R&B, hip hop, and praise in a way few others could.

But he’s also been a lightning rod for controversy—his 2005 confession to a porn addiction, his 2021 profanity-laced phone call with his son, and his 2023 music video that looked more like a nightclub than a church service. Each time, the debate reignited: Is Kirk compromising, or just being real?

And now, at the 2025 BET Awards, all of that tension has exploded into a full-blown crisis. Dietrich Haddon’s public callout, Glorilla’s mocking antics, and the widespread discomfort among believers have made one thing clear: this wasn’t just about one night. This was about years of blurred lines, spiritual confusion, and the fight over who gets to define gospel in the modern age.

The Final Mic Drop

In his final Instagram Live, viewed by nearly 90,000 people, Haddon revealed that he tried to reach Kirk Franklin privately—via DMs and texts—but was ignored. “That silence says everything,” he told viewers. “Y’all think I’m trying to start drama. I’m trying to save souls.”

With that, he ended the stream on a haunting note: “This ain’t about BET. This ain’t about Glorilla. This is about spiritual leadership and where the church is headed. Somebody had to speak up.”

And with those words, a line in the sand was drawn.

The Bigger Question: Can Gospel Evolve Without Losing Its Soul?

The BET Awards didn’t just spark a controversy. They exposed a spiritual identity crisis within the gospel industry. One that pits creativity against conviction, innovation against reverence, and culture against consecration.

Kirk Franklin is still a legend. Dietrich Haddon may have just become a prophet crying in the wilderness. And gospel music? It’s at a crossroads.

So now, we ask you—has gospel lost its soul, or is this just the growing pain of a new generation trying to find its voice?

Sound off in the comments. The conversation is just beginning.

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