Empress Gifty Fires Back at Critics Over Viral Church Dance Video, Issues Strong Warning

• Empress Gifty faced social media backlash after a video of her dancing during a church service at the UPSA Auditorium went viral
• Critics questioned her behaviour in the presence of a pastor, prompting the gospel musician to respond in a TikTok video on August 21, 2026
• The gospel singer issued a stern warning to those she described as paid attackers, referencing her humble past to defend her actions

Gospel musician Empress Gifty has hit back at social media critics who questioned her conduct after footage of her dancing enthusiastically during a church service spread widely online.

The video, filmed at a service held at the UPSA Auditorium, showed the gospel singer in high spirits as she danced before the congregation. Once the clip circulated, a section of social media users took issue with her manner of dancing, particularly given that a pastor was present at the time.

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Empress Gifty defends her church behaviour

Refusing to let the criticism go unanswered, Empress Gifty addressed the matter in a TikTok video sighted on August 21, 2026. She was visibly irritated, making it clear she has little patience for what she considers baseless attacks on her worship style.

Drawing on her difficult past to put things in perspective, she challenged anyone who had something to say about her conduct in church.

"When I was selling cassava at Site 1 and Site 2, where were you? Now that God has blessed me, you are here trying to tell me how to behave in church. This should be your first and last time telling me how I should behave in church. Aren't you even ashamed of yourselves?"

She went on to make the distinction between sacred and secular spaces clear, pushing back firmly against any suggestion that her dancing was inappropriate.

"I was in the house of God, not at a nightclub or a funeral ground. May God forgive you people, but be careful so that His wrath does not come upon you. Be mindful of how you speak about me, or the spirit around me may turn against you, especially on Sundays."

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Empress Gifty recalls sleeping in churches

Beyond defending the viral moment, Empress Gifty used the opportunity to shed light on a period of genuine hardship in her life. She disclosed that she once had no fixed home and had to sleep in churches to get by, which she says has given her a deep appreciation for what it means to be in God's presence.

That personal history, she argued, makes her worship all the more sincere, and she dismissed those behind the criticism as people who have no appreciation for where she has come from.

She also directed a pointed warning at those she believes are being paid to attack her online, cautioning that such individuals would face consequences.

Source: YEN.com.gh