Yolanda Adams recently opened up about her journey with beauty standards and fashion in a conversation with PEOPLE, revealing some of the critiques she’s faced regarding her style throughout her career.
At 63, the Grammy-winning artist reflects on her upbringing and how it shaped her self-expression, both musically and stylistically.
Raised in a faith-based household, Adams says she was always encouraged to be herself.
“Because of the way I was raised in this very free-thinking family where everybody had their own voice and everybody had their own talents, I didn’t feel any need to be anybody other than Yolanda,” she says.
This mentality extended beyond her music and influenced her personal style, even in the traditionally conservative world of gospel and Christian music.
Female gospel artists are often encouraged to dress modestly, but Adams’ style evolved with the trends of the ’90s and early 2000s.
As fashion shifted from loose-fitting clothes to more tailored designs, Adams embraced the changes. Standing tall at 6 feet, she embraced her figure and her individuality.
“Because I do not have the typical gospel singer body, I think that it was easy for me to just pick out what I wanted and then just wear what I wanted,” she explains, adding that her upbringing didn’t impose strict rules on fashion or music. “I didn’t grow up in a household where we had stipulations on what we could wear, what we couldn’t wear, what we could listen to, what we couldn’t listen to in my family.”
Her 2001 album Believe is a great example of her unapologetic approach to fashion.
The cover features Adams in an eye-catching electric blue crocheted dress, designed by GiGi Hunter, which perfectly highlighted her striking figure. While fans loved the album, some in the faith community were shocked by the daring album cover.
Still, Adams noticed that over time, even her critics warmed up to her bold choices.
“These are the same people who are now fans. And they’ll say, ‘I’ve been with her since day one.’ No, you didn’t. Cut it out. Because I remember!” she says, recalling the initial backlash with a sense of humor.
Adams’ style has continued to turn heads, earning her the affectionate nickname “Thee Gospel Stallion” from her fans, a playful nod to rapper Megan Thee Stallion. Her peers in the gospel community have also shown their support.
Erica Campbell, of the gospel duo Mary Mary, came to Adams’ defense after some criticized her for wearing a cleavage-baring gown at the 2016 Stellar Awards.
Campbell tweeted, “Did the saints really have a problem with Yolanda Adams dress at the Stellars,” adding that people should focus more on their inner selves than outward appearances.
Interestingly, Adams had previously supported Campbell when she faced similar backlash for wearing a form-fitting white gown a few years earlier.
The mutual support between these gospel icons underscores the ongoing conversation about balancing faith and self-expression.
Even comedian Steve Harvey got involved in the discussion about Adams’ physical beauty.
At the 2005 Celebration of Gospel, Harvey famously joked, “Yolanda sho’ is sexy,” a comment that sparked controversy in the faith community.
Adams, however, didn’t take offense and chalked it up to Harvey’s playful personality.
“For him to say that, I knew he was joking. I knew he was kidding,” Adams says, laughing as she remembers the reaction from fans. “Then, of course, you had the ones that [said], ‘well, I don’t know about her dressing with her shoulders out and stuff.’ Ma’am, it’s the Shrine Auditorium. It is not 3rd Baptist Church on the other side of Ecclesiastes Road.”
In the end, Adams’ message is one of acceptance and open-mindedness. She encourages everyone to live freely without placing unnecessary judgments on others.
“I thank God for the way I was raised because I don’t have those restraints and I don’t put those restraints on anybody else. When I see you, I see this loving spirit. And that’s the way I want to live my life,” she says.
