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Ellen Kicks Hidden Figures Singer Kim Burrell Off Her Show After Homophobic Rant Leaks

Ellen Kicks Hidden Figures Singer Kim Burrell Off Her Show After Homophobic Rant Leaks

Kim Burrell
Charles Sykes/Invision/AP

The gospel singer was slated to perform with Pharrell “I See Victory” from the groundbreaking film’s soundtrack.

The cast of Hidden Figures, the recently released film about the African-American mathematicians who made the U.S. the leader in the space race, is embroiled in controversy after a singer from the soundtrack delivered a homophobic rant to her church.

Gospel singer Kim Burrell, who performs "I See Victory" with Pharrell Williams for the movie, was shown in a leaked video clip preaching against homosexuality. She called same-sex attraction "a perversion" and "an embarrassment to the church." She also added: "Some trust in fame; I trust in the Lord."

The clip set off immediate backlash from the film's fans and cast. Janelle Monae, who stars in the film, shared a post in support of the LGBT community from Williams and added her own condemnation of Burrell's comments.

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 Monae (@janellemonae) on

Burrell was scheduled to appear with Williams and Monae on The Ellen DeGeneres Show Thursday to talk about the film. Fans of DeGeneres, who is openly gay, were calling on the host to boot Burrell from the show's lineup. By midday Tuesday, DeGeneres tweeted that Burrell will not be appearing on the show.

As for Burrell, she has recorded several videos in response. In one particular, she emphasizes she was talking about sin, not people. "I never said LGBT. I said S-I-N," she said. "For every person that is dealing with the homosexual spirit that has it, I love you because God loves you. But God hates the sin."

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