In what could be a shocking reflection of the weakness of Celebrity Christianity, top US Gospel musician deeply loved in Zimbabwe, Israel Houghton has been caught with a sometime “half nude” girlfriend of his, weeks after divorcing his wife of 20 years.
The Christian community was met with shock yesterday, when Mr Houghton who sang “You Are Alpha And Omega,” a song “I learnt in Zimbabwe,” was found ‘indulging himself’ with a celebrity whose Christian credentials are doubted, Adrienne Bailon. The two went public with their new romance during a sun-filled holiday in Tulum, Mexico this week.
The woman is pictured dressed “half nude” as some conservative Zimbabweans described last night.
The 32-year-old is dating the Grammy-winning singer, who announced he had divorced wife, Meleasa last month.
The 44-year-old stated that he and Meleasa had been separated for a long time before officially ending their marriage, and revealed that his infidelity five years ago was to blame for the split.
According to TMZ, Adrienne began dating Israel after his divorce was made official earlier this year, and the duo were spotted kissing during their romantic Mexican getaway.
The pair were friends before they became romantically involved, and the Cheetah Girl appeared in the 2013 movie I’m In Love with A Church Girl, which Israel produced.
Israel shared a Facebook post on Tuesday after news of his relationship with Adrienne broke, stating: ‘I met Adrienne Bailon a bit over 2 years ago, we worked together & became friends.
‘Our circles connected & we remained good friends. From a friendship, as two single adults we have very recently begun to explore a dating relationship.’
He also made it clear that there was no overlap between his marriage and his new relationship, and that Adrienne should not have to ‘carry the burden, blame & shame’ of his past affair.
Israel wrote: ‘My marriage had been over for quite some time before going public with my divorce announcement. It seems to be simple math that I had not even met Adrienne during the time my marriage was falling apart.’
He added: ‘Adrienne is a woman of integrity & character… Most of all she is a true friend, and she should not be blamed for my past indiscretions.’
The frontman of Gospel group Israel & New Breed congratulated Adrienne on her engagement to Roc Nation executive Lenny Santiago last year.
‘Huge congratulations to our friends @adrienne_bailon & @kodaklens on their engagement – we are so happy for you guys, May God Bless all of your days…’ he shared on Instagram at the time.
However the couple – who had been together for six years – announced that they had called off the wedding in September.
Israel meanwhile shared on Facebook in February that he and Meleasa had divorced, explaining: ‘Several years ago I failed and sinned in my marriage.
‘Though this is new to many, it is not new to us as we have been working through this for over 5 years. Although we tried, the challenges in our relationship have proven too much to overcome.’
Israel insisted in the now-deleted post that they will ‘remain friendly and kind to each other’ for the sake of their three children: Mariah, Israel Jr. and Milan Lillie.
‘Although I am sincerely sorry, and forgiven, I soberly realize that I will live with the consequences of my failings for the rest of my life,’ he added.
Before she started dating ex-fiance Lenny, Adrienne was famously in a relationship with Rob Kardashian.
The pair split in 2009 after two years together, with the Keeping Up With The Kardashians star admitting that he had cheated on Adrienne.
The Real star told Latina magazine in 2014: ‘It’s common knowledge that he cheated on me. It always bothered me that people were like, “Pero, why couldn’t you forgive him?”
‘Why are women always the ones who have to forgive? If you cheated on a man, he would be like, “You’re disgusting, and I want nothing to do with you.” But women, we’re supposed to be like, “He messed up. He made a mistake.”’ – DailyMail/Additional Reporting