Many country singers are deeply committed to their faith. They sing about it, talk about it, and live it. It's very much an integral part of their everyday selves. Singer Anne Wilson has written searchingly about her faith and how it informs her life in a book, Rebel: Following Jesus When the World Walks the Other Way. She told Fox News Digital that she feels her forthrightness about faith has come at a steep price for her career. Nevertheless, Wilson won't compromise one bit on her cherished principles and priorities.
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Per the outlet, she said, "I've missed a lot of opportunities for speaking about my faith. I think it's definitely come at a cost, but I'm the kind of person that I'm very bold in the things I believe in. When I stand for something, I'm going to stand for it knowing the cost."
Furthermore, Wilson noted frankly to the outlet, "I need to continue to be the light in any way I can."
Wilson Says She Was Warned That Speaking About Her Faith Was Dicey
The singer is 24 and hails from Lexington, Kentucky. She states to the outlet that she was cautioned by those close to her about the potential fallout from talking too openly and often about faith. "There were moments early on when even my manager and team would be like, 'Anne, do you know what you're doing by saying this?' Or, 'Do you know what could happen if you speak about this?' And I would always say, 'Yeah, I do, but I want to do it anyway.'"
She Will Not Waver
Anne Wilson is sincerely and robustly engaged with her faith. It emerges in what she sings and penetrates to the core of her being. She's not backing down one bit, no matter how weighty the cost. In fact, faith is inextricably linked to Wilson's music. It's truly her driving passion.
Wilson observed in her book, "There's definitely been moments when I'm looked at a certain way, shows I'm playing at a country festival where I'm literally preaching Jesus and the gospel, and people look at me like I'm crazy. ... But I know my calling, and it's to take Jesus to the world. I believe it with every fiber of my being that that's what I'm supposed to do."
The Singer Has Found Welcome Acceptance
Wilson says that she was determined to highlight her faith in her music from the get-go. She told the outlet, "I remember feeling, 'Are people going to accept this? Am I going to be authentically myself?' And, honestly, the response [has been] really special. I feel like both sides of Christian music and country music have accepted me for who I am."
Encouragement Came From a Beloved Superstar
At first, as Anne Wilson was breaking into the genre and giving concerts, she had some fears. Wilson recalled that the country music fans she saw "were barely clothed and deep into partying," so she wondered if they would be receptive to her message.
It was fellow country singer Lainey Wilson who exhorted Wilson to simply be who she was. (They are not related.) It was sound advice that she took to heart ever since. It has paved the path to her success.
