Pharrell and Janelle Monáe Rally Against 'Hidden Figures' Singer Kim Burrell over Homophobic Remarks

BY Sarah MurphyPublished Jan 3, 2017

Pharrell helmed the soundtrack to Hidden Figures and is slated to perform a track from the film on Ellen this week — but he won't be joined by featured vocalist Kim Burrell, as initially intended.
 
Burrell joins Pharrell on OST closer "I See a Victory," but following homophobic comments made by the gospel singer, Burrell has been removed from the upcoming performance.
 
Janelle Monáe, who stars in the movie, announced that Burrell's appearance had been axed via TMZBurrell allegedly delivered a church sermon last week, in which she describes homosexuality as "perverted." In a subsequent Facebook live video, Burrell referred to homosexuality a "sin" that goes "against the nature of God."
 
Pharrell has since issued a public statement distancing himself from Burrell, stating, "I condemn hate speech of any kind."
 
The message goes on to say, "There is no room in this world for any kind of prejudice. My greatest hope is for inclusion and love for all humanity in 2017 and beyond."
 
 

A photo posted by Pharrell Williams (@pharrell) on


 
The Instagram message was reposted by Monáe, who added a message of her own declaring: "I unequivocally repudiate ANY AND ALL hateful comments against the LGBTQ community."

She went on to say, "We cannot sit Idly by nor will we speak silently when we are confronted with such violence against members of our community," before concluding: "My hope is that we become more understanding, less judgmental, more tolerate, and more patient with one another. Including me."
 
 

I shouldn't even have to post this as you guys should already know where I stand but If you do not pls know I unequivocally repudiate ANY AND ALL hateful comments against the LGBTQ community. Actually I'm tired of that label. We all belong to the same community, a shared community called humanity. And today and tomorrow and the next day I will continue to stand with other like minded people who condemn any and all statements and actions that would seek to deny the basic humanity of our fellow brothers and sisters. We cannot sit Idly by nor will we speak silently when we are confronted with such violence against members of our community. I am personally beyond exhausted by the ignorance and bigotry living in some people. At times I want to punch and I want to slap a lot of people when I read and hear the shit that comes out their mouthes !!! I will rejoice when folks stop thinking they ARE GOD, Jesus' assistant, picking and choosing what "sins" are acceptable in the Bible, and using the Bible as a whip! WE can't afford anymore tearing down of our shared humanity. My advice: If your religion is causing you to spew out words of hate, judge, or look down on others because of who one loves then you need to change it. And fast. If the religion don't make you are more loving or better person, ditch it. But what do I know. My hope is that we ALL go into this new year considering for one moment that we don't have all the answers. My hope is that we become more understanding, less judgmental, more tolerate, and more patient with one another. Including me. HAPPY NEW YEAR. 🙏🏿❤

A photo posted by Janelle Monáe (@janellemonae) on


 
Below, watch the TMZ clip in which Monáe claims that Burrell will not appear on Ellen. She also confirms that herself and Pharrell are still scheduled to make appearances.
 

 
The Ellen website still lists Burrell as a performer for the episode slated to air on January 5; representatives for the show have yet to issue a formal response to the controversy.

UPDATE (1/3, 2 p.m. EST): Ellen DeGeneres has confirmed via Twitter that Burrell will not be appearing on her show.




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