Let’s take a deeper dive into this story, rewinding to 2016 when Chrisette exchanged vows with her then-manager, Doug “Biggs” Ellison. In a candid blog post, she revealed her evolving perspective, admitting that the conventional path of marriage and family didn’t quite resonate with her. With a touch of humor, she shared, “I soon realized he envisioned a life of settling down in the same city, raising tiny opinionated creatures who would grow inside me. Turns out, that notion of soul-crushing domesticity is what they call ‘settling down.’ Yikes! That thought alone made me cringe.”
But despite her reservations, Chrisette and Doug pressed on. Fast forward to 2017, they faced a significant decision when offered a gig at Trump’s inaugural ball, negotiated by Doug. This sparked a conversation among Chrisette and her peers like Jonathan McReynolds, Tye Tribbett, and Travis Greene. She reached out, suggesting a revival of their past gospel awards performance, aiming to spread positivity. Though Jonathan and Ty declined, Travis and Chrisette decided to team up for the event.
Speculation buzzed about the hefty paycheck Chrisette received, with numbers ranging from $750,000 to $75,000, eventually confirmed by The Washington Post. However, her choice to perform for a figure with a controversial history, particularly concerning women and people of color dating back to the ’70s, triggered widespread backlash. Many found it dissonant that an artist known for celebrating black womanhood would align herself with such a polarizing figure.
Chrisette received advice from people to dig into some research about the controversial ads that called for the execution of five young black and Latino men, famously known as the Central Park Five. These men were later proven innocent. As she delved into her research, she likely came across some unsavory comments about women, such as “When you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything. Whatever you want. Grab ’em.” Despite being aware of these troubling issues, Chrisette remained resolute in her decision to perform at the inaugural ball. She expressed her deep-seated commitment to standing up for women and minorities who felt disrespected. However, her decision sparked widespread outrage among her fans and fellow entertainers. Questlove even took to Twitter to advise her against performing, and Spike Lee, in an Instagram post, rescinded his plan to use her song “Black Girl Magic” in his Netflix series. Chrisette later released a heartfelt response, titled “No Political Genius,” where she advocated for choosing love over division. Unfortunately, her efforts to bridge the gap seemed to fall on deaf ears. In an open letter titled “We Can’t Be Present If We’re Silent,” she positioned herself as a representative for her audience, though it remained unclear who exactly requested her involvement. As criticism mounted, Chrisette became apprehensive, especially after The B Street Band pulled out of the event and Jennifer Holliday canceled her appearance due to pressure. To shield herself from the growing backlash, Chrisette opted to switch off her phone, choosing not to let the outrage sway her own decision.
I remember telling my friends, “Come on, I’m not even famous enough to get canceled.” I didn’t say it outright, but I joked about it, saying, “Who cancels the piano player anyway?” Then, I decided to take things a step further by changing my phone number. It wasn’t just strangers and fellow artists who were upset with me. I confided in billboard.com that some of my family members were part of the Black Panthers, and they chose to cut ties with me. They even refused to support those who supported me.
On the day of the event, I had hoped to perform right after Trump’s speech, thinking it would give me a chance to meet him onstage. But just before it started, the organizer dropped a bombshell, saying, “You’ll perform first, and he’ll follow.” That meant I wouldn’t get to meet Trump at all. I was crushed. I told the organizer, “My family has disowned me. If you look me up, you’ll see I’m all over the news. I’m the black poster child for discord right now, and he’s not going to shake my hand.” Despite my disappointment, I tried to stay hopeful, thinking maybe I’d still get to meet him later during the event. But that never happened. So, was I just a token for Trump’s administration? It made me wonder.
After my performance, I quietly slipped away. But my story wasn’t over yet.
Things took a nosedive for her right after she got kicked out of the cookout. Suddenly, her whole career seemed to unravel at breakneck speed. “I’d never been in such a spotlight with so much negativity thrown my way,” she admitted, reflecting on the whirlwind. Her record label dropped her like a hot potato, her album distribution deal vanished into thin air, and her once-loyal fans seemed to vanish into the ether. Whispers spread about missed gigs and botched opportunities. The relentless criticism drove her into a dark place, grappling with deep depression.
She opened up to billboard.com, confessing to days spent in pajamas, waking up to a mix of Bacardi and prescription meds. The diagnosis of bipolar disorder only added to her struggles, pushing her to the brink of contemplating the unthinkable. Then came that fateful October in 2017 when she poured her heart out on Instagram, sharing her miscarriage ordeal with a raw, graphic photo that hit everyone hard. Except, it wasn’t hers. Internet sleuths quickly uncovered the truth—it belonged to someone else entirely, shared on a parenting forum.
She had to come clean, admitting on The Breakfast Club that she’d misrepresented the photo. “Lots of women post stuff online to understand their own bodies. I guess I got caught up in someone else’s story,” she confessed, trying to explain herself. But that only added fuel to the fire, with doubts now swirling around her miscarriage revelation. By January 2017, she was back on The Breakfast Club, facing tough questions once more.
During her recent interview, she opened up to the host about her latest project, “No Political Genius,” a TV show in the works where she plans to engage with politicians from all over. Despite her excitement, the show hasn’t premiered yet. Reflecting on her past performance for Trump, she now deeply regrets it. “One of the biggest lessons I learned from that whole ordeal is that while love and good intentions are important, you’ve got to be wise about where you channel them.” Sometimes, she mused, it’s better to keep certain parts of yourself reserved for the right moments. It was a tough lesson, but one she needed.
After going solo and releasing her sixth studio album, “Out of Control,” in 2018, her career took a hit. The album barely made a blip on the charts, and selling concert tickets became a challenge. A photo from The Washington Post captured one of her gigs in a 1,500-seat venue with only about 30 fans in attendance. Amidst her professional struggles, her personal life suffered too, leading to the end of her marriage in 2019 due to the strain caused by public backlash.
In 2021, TV host John Murray stirred the pot by suggesting Chrisette deserved a chance at redemption, pointing out the contrast in treatment between her and Kanye West, who faced minimal fallout despite his support for Trump. Chrisette couldn’t help but question the double standard and wondered if gender played a part, noting how she seemed to face harsher criticism compared to her male peers.
As for her music career, Chrisette hasn’t dropped a full-length album since 2018, but she’s still putting out singles and performing for her loyal fans. While some have forgiven her, others argue she should be permanently canceled. Despite the ups and downs, she’s staying focused on what she can control. In her blog, she reflects on the healing power of love amidst life’s challenges, emphasizing its role in providing strength and comfort.