Mary Mary: Life is not perfect, but it’s worth it!

Mary Mary is an American contemporary gospel duo, consisting of sisters Erica Atkins-Campbell (born April 29, 1972) and Trecina “Tina” Atkins-Campbell (born May 1, 1974). Mary Mary broke onto the music scene with their popular song “Shackles (Praise You)“—which is considered one of the pioneering songs of urban contemporary gospel music. The group’s name, as stated in an interview is inspired by the two famous Mary’s from the Bible; Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, and Mary Magdalene.

Their debut album, Thankful (2000), was certified Platinum. In addition, the duo has released two Gold albums: Incredible (2002) and Mary Mary (2005), both of which have charted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums. They have also received four Grammys, among other awards. In 2011, they released their fifth studio album, Something Big. In March 2012, they premiered their own television series, Mary Mary, on WE tv. A second season premiered in December 2012 and concluded in February 2013. Their most recently released album is their first compilation album, Go Get It (2012), with the hit single of the same name. Then the third season premieres today, February 27. Both sisters are married to men that happen to have the same last name — Campbell. Isn’t it crazy that they have the same last names? lol In 2000, Tina married Teddy Campbell, who is the drummer for The Tonight Show Band. He has a daughter, Cierra, from a previous relationship. Together they have five children. Erica married their record producer Warryn Campbell (who created “Mary Mary”) on May 26, 2001. Their wedding was documented on the TLC show, A Wedding Story. Together, they have three children.

 

I still think it is interesting that they married two men who are not related, but have the same last name lol Anywho, moving right along. So, the show picks up in its 3rd season, and guess what, there is trouble in paradise. Yes, even “Christians” have issues.

So, apparently in between Tina being on tour, and showing out for Jesus, (while pregnant almost every year – it seems) her husband Teddy has found time to cheat on her with a “family friend.” On the scale of foul and foolish, I don’t even know where to rate this. Obviously “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno wasn’t keeping him busy enough. So you cheat, which is bad, but you do it with someone she/her family knows? Lord, have mercy. *sips tea*

Gospel singer Tina Campbell recently discussed her marriage with Teddy Campbell, whose infidelity caused her to become violent. Tina admitted to wanting a divorce in the past and attempting to stab her husband  after learning he’d cheated, which was divulged in the current issue of  Ebony Magazine. “Once I became aware [of the affair], I initially wanted to kill my husband,” Tina Campbell reveals. “I was considering adjusting the will, the living trust and all that kind of stuff. I did physically try to stab him. Several times … I never got to the point of physical harm, not really, but my words … My words hurt.” Campbell went on to say she considered divorce but decided to work things out.

I remember watching the second season, and Teddy didn’t want anymore kids. (This was before Tina had the last one.) His demeanor was really weird to me. Despite the fact that Tina kept getting pregnant every year (They have 5 kids under the age of 10),  I have never noticed a huge connection between the two of them. They have been married for 13 years I believe, but their relationship seemed so forced to me. Would I be wrong to say that I’m not surprised he cheated? If their marriage was a movie title, it would be, “He’s Just Not That Into You.” #dontkillme  Maybe I don’t see a lot of chemistry because they have been having problems. Who knows? Maybe it’s just me…

Can I just say that, I LOVE Warryn and Erica Campbell together? I love their relationship. NO RELATIONSHIP IS PERFECT, but I really like these two. I think that Warryn always has Erica’s best interest at heart. He’s smart, and he balances the secular and spiritual world very well. A lot of people may not know, but Warryn is a well respected producer, and Erica and Tina used to sing backup for other secular artists. (Brandy was one of their bridesmaids in their wedding.) Warryn and Erica do a great job of displaying balance between work and  prioritizing family time.

I remember when Mary Mary’s “The Sound” album (which I love) came out. When the video for “God in Me” was released, people were giving them hell. Why? They had “secular” (aka “worldly”) people/artists in the video. A lot of Christians WENT IN. One thing my dad always tells us is, “You have to have balance.” I feel like a lot of times, Christians try to act so “holier than thou” that if you are not talking about Jesus, you can’t talk to them. LOL Where is the realness? Regardless of what faith people are, Kanye West, Drake, Rihanna, etc need Jesus, love and compassion, too. Instead of shunning them, we should show them the love of Christ, right? Or nah? #kanyeshrug

That was jus the beginning. Mary Mary has also been criticized for their attire. For whatever reason, if you are a Christian female, you should be completely covered up. You shouldn’t show arms or legs, nothing but your eyes. (insert eye roll here) I’m not saying wearing a low-cut shirt exposing your breasts or short-shorts are ok, I’m totally disagreeing with that. However, I highly doubt I would go to tell because I have on a sleeveless shirt, and my skirt isn’t below my knees.

When this Ebony issue came out, people were complaining that they were showing too much skin. I guess they should be dressing like Mahailia Jackson, or Pastor Shirley Ceasar. I thought they looked GORGEOUS.

Why can’t Christians have style? Deitrick Haddon is always fashionable, and people try to go in on him for wearing Gucci, or other designers. Maybe he missed the memo that he can only be accessorized with a prayer cloth? Shout out to Deitrick. I love his music!

I love the photos of Erica. She was slammed by Christians about that white dress though. They thought it was “too sexy.” I thought she was bad.com I’m sorry. Sometimes I want to feel sexy, sometimes I want to wear a certain dress to make my husband give me “that look.” Am I going to be burned to the stake because I don’t have on a loose fitting outfit? I personally like the fact that they show people they are human. For whatever reason, when it comes to Christianity, people expect you to be perfect, except Jesus. Why is that? People expect you to look a certain way, or dress a certain way. They care more about the messenger, rather than the message. Moving on….

Mary Mary fired their manager Mitchell Solarek while taping the show! 

According to papers filed in a federal court in Tennessee and obtained by TMZ, Solarek says Max Art signed a deal with the group in 2011 that would have Mitchell Solarek serve as their manager. He says he reignited their musical career, obtaining over $3 million in various deals, one which includes their reality show Mary Mary on We TV. In turn, however, Solaek says he was pretty much shortchanged. He claims that Mary Mary stiffed him of more than $75,000 in commissions. He also says that he was publicly fired on the television. The lawsuit is asking that a judge rule he be paid in back commission as well as the loss of commission on future music, books, sponsorships and anything else you can think of.

So in the middle of Teddy and Tina’s marriage woes, they also fire their manager? This is interesting. Some people don’t like the fact that Mary Mary has a show, they feel like it doesn’t paint Christianity in a positive light. Me personally, I love it, and I love “Preachers of La.” Christians aren’t perfect! Maybe if more people started showing that we have real lives, rather than making it seem like we have it all together, than more people would come to Christ! I have supported this show, and I will continue to support the show. Tina decided to stay with Teddy, and ultimately, regardless of anything else, that shows Gods mercy through her to her husband.

Marriage is not easy. It is a work-in-progress everyday. I love my husband sooooo much. But there were days when I didn’t even like him! Ha! With the hardships of 2 miscarriages for us (13 weeks and 7 weeks), and everyday life, it has NOT and I do mean NOT been easy. But I would go through 5 times over to get where we are today, and have been for quite some time in our marriage. Going through those things really showed me that I truly did marry my best friend. My husband is my best friend. We have had some ROUGH days, but we made it, and I love him even more because of it. I know that Tina’s heart was completely broken, because mine definitely would have. Some people thought that she should have left him, even with them 5 children. Everyone is different.

But, could you stay with your husband/wife if they cheated with a family friend? Have you watched the show? What are your thoughts?