Kirk Franklin: Why I stopped talking to my mother 22 years ago

Kirk Franklin, the ace US gospel singer, has revealed why he cut ties with his mother.

During an episode of ‘The Funky Friday Podcast’, Franklin said their relationship became irreparably damaged when he was 32.

The 54-year-old said he was the primary caregiver for his sister after her release from prison and was struggling to help her overcome drug addiction.

He said he could not handle it all alone so he called for a family meeting, which was unexpectedly attended by his mother’s new husband.

“I was 32 years old and my sister got out of prison and I was the only one trying to help her,” he said.

“She was still struggling with drugs and we needed an intervention. So, we had a family meeting but my biological mother showed up with her new husband.”

Franklin said an argument ensued, during which his mother’s new partner “disrespected me”.

He added his mother “sided with her husband”, and that prompted him to end their relationship.

“The intervention was going okay, and I said this is not about us, this is about my sister. After I said that, my mother’s new husband yelled, ‘What you need to do, is call your mama sometimes.’ I said, ‘Sir, I don’t know who you are but she’s the mother, I’m the child.’

“The argument got heated and my mother did something that crushed my heart. She took that man’s hand and walked out with him. And I promised myself that as a little boy I could not protect myself but as a grown man I would never be put in a position where you would treat me like that again.”

Franklin is best known for leading urban contemporary gospel. He has received several accolades for his talent.