Israel Houghton Defends New Girlfriend’s Honour on Facebook

Leading gospel artist, Israel Houghton, has taken to Facebook again – this time to defend the honour of his confirmed new girlfriend, Adrienne Bailon. Following the circulation of pictures of the couple on holiday in Mexico this March, many of Israel’s fans posted comments suggesting that Adrienne may have been the cause of Israel’s divorce from his wife of 20 years, Meleasa Houghton (which Israel also announced on Facebook).

Israel has slammed such rumours in an open and honest statement:

“In the midst of all that’s going on in the world… suffering, terrorism, deciding a future for our country, and making the world safer, it is sad that I am even having to address this matter… I understand that gossip and salacious untrue speculative stories are far more interesting and entertaining than the truth and facts. But it’s incredibly unfair to allow someone to carry the burden, blame and shame of something they had nothing to do with…

“I met Adrienne Bailon a bit over two years ago; we worked together and became friends… Our circles connected and we remained good friends. From a friendship, as two single adults, we have very recently begun to explore a dating relationship.

“As I previously wrote in a statement I released a while back, my marriage had been over for quite some time before going public with my divorce announcement. Where I shared – or, as some have pointed out, ‘over-shared’ – my failure in my marriage… from over five years prior, it seems to be simple math that I had not even yet met Adrienne during the time my marriage was falling apart.

“It deeply saddens me that an innocent party would be dragged into this situation that I have taken personal responsibility for. Adrienne is a woman of integrity and character… Most of all, she is a true friend, and she should not be blamed for my past indiscretions. I assure you – I am willing to own my wrongs and I have in the past. God knows and sees all things. I appreciate your prayers, and I join you in praying for the issues of life that truly matter today all over the world.”