Gospel Star Deitrick Haddon: It Was “Discouraging & Disappointing” to See GloRilla Win Best Gospel Song at the 2025 BET Awards

‘Watch Me Praise Him’ hitmaker Deitrick Haddon didn’t exactly enjoy watching GloRilla defeat Maverick City Music, Tamlea Mann, Yolanda Adams, and other Gospel staples for the year’s Dr. Bobby Jones Gospel/Inspirational trophy at Monday’s BET Awards (June 9).

Not mincing words, Haddon took to social media the day after the event to sound off on what he suggests was a poor representation of the genre during the network’s annual awards ceremony.

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As reported here, Glo – who entered the night’s ceremony with a whopping 6 nods – left with only one: the Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award.

Bestowed the honor for her ‘Glorious‘ song ‘Rain Down on Me‘ (which features Kirk Franklin and Maverick City Music), the tune made Billboard history at the height of its popularity – a feat that was mirrored at Monday night’s ceremony as GloRilla became the first female rapper to ever capture the category.

“This is my first BET Award even though I’ve been here three years and nominated six times, it’s a blessing to get the Gospel award first because I owe it all to God,” she remarked as she accepted the award.

And though all smiles during her acceptance speech, some Gospel enthusiasts rendered the opposite reaction to her victory – a stance wholly supported by Haddon.

“It’s already a small genre, so it’s hard for us to watch the Dr. Bobby Jones Gospel Award being given to somebody that’s not in our space,” he shared on social media (as seen in the video above). “No disrespect to the artist, but that’s not the space she’s in. So, it makes it discouraging, disappointing, and it takes the wind out of all of it.”

Elsewhere in his condemning speech, Deitrick threw perceived shade at BET for honoring the work of Kirk Franklin more than any other artist in the award show’s history.

“We’re tired of seeing the same people being celebrated year after year like there is nobody else in Gospel music. Like no one else is working,” he relayed. “You cannot just give it to one person as if they’re the one that’s keeping [the genre] going.”

Ouch!

At the time of this report, Franklin, GloRilla, nor BET has responded to Haddon’s commentary.

[photo source: Getty Images]