How (Not) to Respond to Celebrities Opening Up About Their Faith

by Alaina Goode

October 7, 2024
6 minute read

“And of course, I’d like to thank God for this award.” -Almost every celebrity ever.

Celebrity culture is wild these days. Between all the conspiracy theories, fake news, and constant drama, it’s a lot to take in. These public figures are put on a pedestal, and we either judge everything they do or idolize them completely.

Let’s be real—everyone knows someone who is a die-hard fan of an artist, or maybe that’s you. Shoutout to the “Swifties” for showing us what undying loyalty looks like. For 12-year-old me, that obsession was Justin Bieber. (Yep, I was a full-on “Belieber.”)

Justin Bieber has gone through many different eras, but the moment rumors surfaced about him leading worship and joining Kari Jobe, Chandler Moore, and other beloved worship artists was unforgettable. The joy that I felt that day was palpable—seeing a childhood favorite genuinely praising God felt surreal. Telling friends at church and school led to a mix of reactions, including:

“Yeah, that’s all fake. He’s probably just using God for more fame.”

“Well, if he’s a Christian, he’s definitely lukewarm.”

“You can’t believe a word celebrities say.”

“We need to keep praying, so he ACTUALLY gives his life to the Lord.”

These comments, some from teenagers and some from trusted adults, stuck with me. I couldn’t help but be disappointed. What if it is fake? Is Justin really just using faith to gain more fans?

My thoughts started to spiral and I became angry. How can we know that anyone is really saved? Who’s to say that Justin, and several others received salvation?

Jesus says that we can know the faith of others by the fruit they bear:

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. | John 15:5 

The “fruit” we bear, as referenced in Galatians, includes love, joy, peace, and the other fruits of the Spirit. Here’s where things get tricky: we often hold celebrities to the same standard, trying to judge what kind of fruit they produce. But with the media twisting stories to fit certain narratives, it becomes easy to make quick judgments or assumptions about them.

Only God truly knows a person’s heart, and with that in mind here are three celebrities that have shared powerful testimonies and transformations about finding Jesus.

Russell Brand

This year, Russell posted a TikTok claiming that he had been a Christian for three months and opened up about “not hearing from God for a long time.” Ever since that TikTok, he has been on fire for telling his testimony and sharing Jesus with others.

 

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“I am in the business of service. Serve Jesus Christ. And it’s such a powerful idea that I’m held alive by it.” | Russell Brand

Russell Brand is being consistently judged because he’s too godly for the world and too worldly for Christians. Just because it’s in the public eye we scrutinize these humans. And the sad part is, that he just came to Jesus. He’s learning. 

If Jesus gave up on us the first time we messed up, no one would be saved.

Dennis Quad

Dennis Quad has been opening up about his personal journey, which includes experiences with church hurt and his recovery from addiction. Though he grew up in the church, he became a skeptic and explored other religions. Recently, however, he returned to the Bible, rediscovering his faith.

 

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“I went back, and I read the Bible again, cover to cover, and what really struck being that this time were the red words of Jesus and who He really was. That was the beginning of my personal relationship with Jesus Christ. And that’s really what it’s all about. From there, it’s grown, and it does fill up that hole inside me. I was there all along; my mother taught me that, but we have to learn things for ourselves. It led me right back to where I started.” | Dennis Quad

Kat Von D

Kat Von D, a famous tattoo artist recently shared a video of her baptism. Kat has been very open about asking Christians to pray for her husband who attends church with her, but is not a believer. She grew up with missionary parents but only recently has found her faith in Jesus.

@katvond✟♬ original sound – Kat Von D

“I started re-evaluating, kind of going down the list of what I’m doing with my life. And it got to the part of my spirituality, and that’s where I started really rethinking a lot of things.” | Kat Von D

I’m going to be honest. When I watch videos like this, I feel a bit…on edge. I’m so scared that these people are going to say the wrong thing or make a mistake. I can’t help but have that cynical voice in the back of my head. Judging these people, wondering if these celebrities mean what they say, or if they have given their life to Jesus.

Who am I to say that God is not big enough to save someone from mainstream celebrity culture? 

“No one on Earth has a perfect relationship. So why do you think your relationship with God is supposed to be perfect? We’re imperfect human beings trying to have a relationship with a perfect God. Stop letting religion rob you of your authentic relationship.” | Anonymous

Here are a few helpful things I’ve learned along the way when talking about the faces who live on our screens.

Extend a hand before you throw a stone.

“They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, ‘All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!’Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust. When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, ‘Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”No, Lord,’ she said. And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I. Go and sin no more.’” | John 8: 7-11

We live in a world of convenience. It’s easy to watch a 30-second TikTok or even listen to a single conversation and believe we have a full understanding. Pause and think a second before you speak, act, or post.

Be Mindful.

“Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” | Proverbs 1:7 

We all fall short. We all make mistakes. It’s okay to disagree, to have thoughts, to have emotions- that’s called being human. God created us with all of those things. It’s just what you do with those thoughts and feelings that matters. As tempting as it is to judge celebrities, it can also become just as easy to idolize them. Listen to what others are saying, and make sure that what you’re saying honors the Lord.

Talk to God about it.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise” | Philippians 4:6-8

He’s really the only one who has all the answers. He knows the exact heart posture of every celebrity and every person in your life.

Life is messy. Even for the people who stand on a stage in front of millions of people. If we’re gonna be like Jesus, we’ve got to love like Jesus. And He died for them, too.

Justin Bieber & Kari Jobe Share the Stage to Proclaim Freedom in Jesus
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