Kirk Franklin and his wife Tammy Collins sat down with Tamron Hall for an exclusive interview to discuss, for the first time, the leaked phone call with his eldest son Kerrion Franklin.
On the March 17th episode of “Tamron Hall,” the 51-year-old opened up about the heated conversation he had with his son that went viral.
Audio from the call was shared on social media by Kerrion and made headlines earlier this week. Franklin did release a video apology on Saturday that garnered mixed reactions and led to further speculation about the “toxic” relationship between father and son.
In their interview, Franklin opened up about the long-standing challenges he’s faced in his relationship with his eldest son.
“We started him in therapy and counseling and we’ve had him in and out of counseling and therapy for over 20 years, and as Kerrion became a grown man, when he became a grown man, his disrespect became more aggressive…So you know this is them that we’ve been trying to rally for years to try to help and like I said now that he’s about to be 33 as a grown man the relationship at times can become very agitated and very frustrated…but I’m not going to stop trying to help, you know, he’s my son. He’s my son, he’s my firstborn, and I never want him to feel what I felt not having a father,” Franklin revealed.
Of the public allegations of parental abuse, Franklin explained, “I love my son and I have tried very privately to keep all of the areas that we’ve been working with him in counseling as a private matter. We’ve been having challenges with my oldest son for years. And again, as he’s gotten older, his disrespect has become more aggressive. But I’m confident that his mother, myself, Tammy, my family, there’s never been anything physical that concerns me, or even makes me uncomfortable.”
Franklin maintained that he is a loving father and said that while he does respect his son, he does have boundaries.
“I respect Kerrion. I’m not Kerrion’s equal though. I’m not his equal, I’m his dad. And when you talk to me, especially about things that you say that you want from me, I can’t hear you when you are extremely aggressive when we’re communicating, and that’s why a lot of times, Kerrion and I haven’t talked sometimes for a year or two.”
The 16-time Grammy winner said he also understands the disappointment his fans may be feeling, but he wants to remind everyone that he’s human.
“People have every right to be disappointed to hear me use that language, I’m disappointed in myself for using that language. And at the same time, I’m human. I’m a father, and I’m a father that has a son, and I have a history, I have a history of a toxic, challenging, turbulent relationship with a grown man now that I’m still trying to fight for. And in that fight, it can become so difficult that my humanity, unfortunately, that day, won. And I’m going to keep trying, while still continuing to admit that I am an imperfect man fighting to serve a perfect God.”
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