STREAM EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS

Living In The Spotlight Featuring Le'Andria Johnson

From church choir to "Sunday Best"!
  1. Get To Know: Le'Andria Johnson

    (Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for BET)

    Jason Kempin/Getty Images for BET

    (Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for BET)

    Le'Andria Johnson is an American gospel musician and singer-songwriter. She was the season three winner of the BET gospel singing competition show Sunday Best. Johnson was born in Palatka, Florida, to Bishop Gregory Johnson and First Lady and Pastor Sharon Johnson.

  2. Making It To the Spotlight

    (Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for The Stellar Awards)

    Rick Diamond/Getty Images for The Stellar Awards

    (Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for The Stellar Awards)

    Johnson was born into a musical family and began singing at age 2 in her father's church, HQ Ministries in Altamonte Springs, Florida. She went on to become the praise and worship leader within the church.

    Before auditioning for Sunday Best, Johnson was a performer, producer and singer-songwriter. She had three children at the time and was motivated to audition for the show by her children to give them a better life. The day before she left Orlando to try out in New Orleans, she lost her house to foreclosure.

    Her friends and family helped her get to the audition and Johnson carried what she could and auditioned in flip-flops, socks and the clothes she had on her back. She was almost eliminated because her appearance was not up to par, a sentiment expressed by two of the judges, the gospel group Mary Mary — especially Erica Campbell. However, after performing "This Is The Day The Lord Hath Made," she was unanimously voted through and given a standing ovation by Campbell.

  3. Debut Single

    Johnson's album The Awakening of Le'Andria Johnson was released on Aug. 23, 2011, under Music World Entertainment Gospel and Music World Music. The album debuted at number 1 on the U.S. Billboard Gospel Albums, number 3 on the U.S. Billboard Independent Albums, and number 24 on the Billboard 200. Listen to her debut single "Jesus" above.

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  5. Coolest Connection

    (Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Stellar Awards)

    Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Stellar Awards

    (Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Stellar Awards)

    Her mentor from the show, of course, is Kim Burrell. On the eighth episode of Sunday Best, in a conversation that made the air, Johnson told Burrell that at one point she chose death over life in a "mentor moment," sponsored by Nationwide Insurance.

  6. Best Collaboration

    (Photo: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for NARAS)

    Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for NARAS

    (Photo: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for NARAS)

    Le’Andria Johnson performed with award-winning gospel artist Kirk Franklin on a Grammy Salute to Music Legend Shirley Caesar on Oct. 13, 2017.

  7. Exclusive Info

    In an exclusive interview with Dorinda, Johnson explains her journey to her career and success through the grace of God. 

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