LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 19: Gospel Duo Erica Campbell and Tina Campbell of Mary Mary attend A Legacy Of A Champion Concert at West Angeles Church of God And Christ on February 19, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for A Legacy of a Champion concert honoring Bishop Kenneth C.Ulmer ) 
By ESSENCE Editors ·Updated April 22, 2026 < /> Getting your Trinity Audio player ready… Why can’t Erica Campbell be excited that she’s set to celebrate 25 years of marriage?
If you’ve been paying attention, the singer and First Lady has been spreading the word that she’s renewing her vows with husband Warryn Campbell as they approach the big 2-5. Her great news has been accompanied by public outreach to help her find the right designer to get the perfect gown for the ceremony. For the record, she shared this news before it became public that in the midst of her joy, her sister Tina, was experiencing the end of her marriage.
I get it. The optics have some thinking this is terrible timing. We’re all fully aware that her sister and Mary Mary partner is dealing with a pending divorce.We know that after their own 25 years of marriage, Tina’s husband, Glendon “Teddy” Campbell (no relation to Warryn!), recently filed paperwork to end their marriage. We know that some of the trials and tribulations faced during their union played out on reality television for the world to see, which can make this ending all the more controversial and public. And it can be assumed that this is a difficult time for Tina. But is that Erica’s fault?
To be able to reach the milestone of 25 years of marriage is huge. To be able to overcome hurdles and meet that number with delight, not exhaustion, is something to indeed celebrate. And Erica hasn’t feigned that the road to this point was spotless. She faced similar marital struggles as Tina. She opened up a few years ago, and did so on their former We TV series as well, that she’d experienced infidelity in her marriage. But they’re still together, and they’re still standing. So why not honor the milestone? Even Tina would agree that there’s nothing “tacky,” as some have expressed, about the timing.
“25 years on em
. Gone be bomb
LET’S GO DUB AND E
,” Tina wrote on a video of Erica updating fans about the submitted designers. “And also, Tina is gone help you pick yo dresz
. Yall let my sister be great, mkay
. I love her and my brother and this is a celebration
.”
A post shared by Erica Campbell (@imericacampbell)
Joy moving amongst pain can certainly feel odd. This I know well. When I was a senior in high school, the week of my prom, I lost my brother unexpectedly. Despite the immense grief that we were all feeling in my home, my sister asked me if I was still going to the event.
“Prom? No!” I replied. The idea of attending sounded preposterous. But my mother approached me to ask the same thing a day later. I had already bought a dress, jewelry, and I had a date (who I told a friend at school to inform that I wouldn’t be going anymore). I was technically ready. But it just didn’t feel right.
That’s when my mother reminded me that my brother, who showed up and showed out at both his junior and senior prom, would have wanted me to go. In fact, one of the last conversations I had with him was a reminder for him to come see me off that next Friday for the festivities. He said he would. Despite feeling weird, I went anyway. And to this day, I’m glad I did. It was the respite that I needed as I navigated the tragedy.
I say all that to note that, while it’s understandably a bit awkward to watch Erica plan and smile with glee about entering this next chapter while her sister closes her own, Teddy was the one who decided the timing of this. That has nothing to do with Erica and Warryn. I say, carry on.
“It’s a celebration of love, it’s a celebration of remaining and staying and fighting for all that love is,” Erica said earlier this month. “It’s a testament to the fact that you will live out those vows, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, all of that, sickness and in health, you will live all of that out. And if you stick it out, you will get to forever. Well, not quite forever, but 25 years feels really close.”
This is a major moment, and that’s clear from the depth with which Erica speaks of how far they’ve come. It’s an accomplishment. It’s been a journey, and that journey continues. So instead of trying to shame her for being happy during a hard time for her younger sister, we should be glad to see that Black love, in all its complexities and imperfections, despite the ups and downs, is still thriving.
TOPICS: Erica Campbell Tina CampbellThe post Erica Campbell Can Celebrate Love While Sister Tina Navigates Divorce appeared first on Essence.