2019 proved to be the year of outspoken Hollywood stars as numerous celebrities, some of them, unexpectedly, unashamedly talked publicly about their belief in Jesus Christ. Artists such as Kanye West and Justin Bieber kicked their public profession of faith into high gear in 2019, while others shared messages they received from God, or their wish to use their talents in service to Christ. Here’s a list of some of the celebrities who’ve boldly confessed their faith, talking about salvation, communicating with God and His transformative power:
Kanye West -Following many years of projecting a god complex through his alter ego Yeezus, Kanye West started to rap a different tune in 2019 with his church gatherings called SunCelebrities proclaim Jesus in 2019day Service events. The gatherings happened every weekend this year. West said he became a born-again Christian during this process and has now devoted his life to “working for God.” His first real gospel album, Jesus Is King, made history on the Billboard Charts, ranking No. 1 on five charts as well as dominating the Top 10 slots on both the Hot Christian Songs and Hot Gospel Songs charts. Then, in November, West appeared at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church, where he and his Sunday Service Choir performed. Also in November, West brought his gospel choir to a local jail where they performed for inmates and held a Sunday Service in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where 1,000 people accepted Christ. In his latest move, on Christmas Day, West released his second Gospel album, Jesus is Born.
Justin Bieber- Pop superstar Justin Bieber has been extremely vocal about his Christian conversion this year ahead of and also following his religious marriage ceremony to his wife, Hailey Baldwin. Bieber shared exciting news with fans on Christmas Eve. In a video he shared on social media, Bieber teased a new song, “Yummy,” that will be released on January 3rd as part of a full studio album. He also revealed upcoming tour dates and a docuseries. On the video, Justin said, “As humans, we are imperfect. My past, my mistakes, all the things that I’ve been through, I believe that I’m right where I’m supposed to be and God has me right where he wants me. I feel like this is different than the previous albums just because of where I’m at in my life. I’m excited to perform it and to tour it. We all have different stories. I’m just excited to share mine.
Dolly Parton- Country icon Dolly Parton has always professed to be a Christian but this year with the release of her new Netflix anthology series she told The Christian Post that her faith will inform every project she produces for the rest of her life. “I just try to use the talent that God gave me,” Parton told CP. “So when I write songs, and with anything I do, I always pray about it and hope I do the right thing. I ask for forgiveness if I didn’t do the right thing. I really love the fact that I’ve had a chance to do these songs and see them come to life and to just be able to stand here and do it. So I thank God for all of it.”
Selena Gomez -Popstar Selena Gomez has been very vocal about her Christian faith for some time now and at the tail end of 2019 she told the world that God has been speaking to her. Gomez delivered her first single in four years recently and after its release, the singer says Jesus spoke to her. “He said to me ‘Selena hold on, I hurt when you hurt. I cry when you cry but I will NEVER, EVER leave your side. Work with me, walk with me and watch how I do it,’” Gomez described. “In my worst moments, like awful, most painful moments -I never stopped falling to my knees wanting and needing only His love.”
Lauren Daigle – In October, popular Christian music singer Lauren Daigle broke records with her song “You Say.” The fifth track on her Look Up Child album, “You Say” graced the number one spot on Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs list for 62 weeks setting a new record for the longest time a song has stayed in the number one spot on that list. Her sophomore album, Look Up Child, as a whole also broke records in 2019, holding the number one spot on Billboards Top Christian Albums chart for 39 weeks. 2019 was a big year for Daigle as she took home two Grammy Award wins, three Billboard Music Awards, six GMA Dove Awards, an American Music Award and two K-Love Awards. Daigle also announced her first-ever arena tour which is set to begin on January 18.
Duane “Dog” Chapman- Lastly, “Dog the Bounty Hunter” star Duane “Dog” Chapman, a former bail bondsman who has made a name for himself on reality TV by being stern and crass, also has unashamedly been talking about how his Christian faith is helping him after the loss of his wife, Beth Chapman, earlier in the year. He revealed in his first interview following her death that his Christianity has been an anchor for him. Chapman also shared the Bible verse he wants read to him before he dies. That Bible verse says: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”