Kirk Franklin has issued an apology eight months after facing criticism for his attire while performing at a Christian concert in Jamaica. Franklin joined other gospel performers at the Fun in the Son Concert on April 20, which is sponsored by Best Dressed Chicken, whose head company, Jamaica Broilers Group, promotes Christian values. Franklin appeared on stage in a tank top and shorts, flexing his muscles and gyrating to some of the choreography. Clips of Franklin’s performance received mixed reviews, with some noting that Franklin was in great shape and others saying his performance was too centered on his physique. “I think that was the aim. I walked out during his first song! This jus[t] didn’t sit well with me how he was behaving on that stage. I thought i was at an Usher concert!” wrote one concertgoer. Jamaica Broilers Group President and CEO Christopher Levy, a Christian, said in a statement that the company “expected more” of Franklin. “When we engage an artist, it is with a degree of trust that the artist will be aware and sensitive to their audience. We expected more from Mr. Franklin,” he said.

Franklin released a video on social media which finally addressed the criticism he’d received.  “I am aware now that my choice of attire, which as a team we thought was going to be fine being outside in the weather, was going to be something that would not come across as disrespectful,” said Franklin. “I’ve spent most of my career dancing and moving around and jumping on stage that I didn’t know that I would ever do anything that would ever offend anyone in any community, but it did. And because it did, I sincerely apologize.” He shared that he wanted to be able to learn from his mistakes and hear criticisms from others. “It doesn’t matter what my goal and intent is, if I’m louder than the message of Jesus, then I failed,” he said. Franklin also addressed other controversial performances, including a time he began twerking on a female singer, and a viral video of him dancing with Marvin Sapp. Franklin described himself as “silly” and having fun. “I am who I am, whatever I am,” he said.

Responses to the apology were as mixed as responses to Franklin’s performance. “I love Kirk Franklin, but why is he apologizing for wearing shorts and a tank in Jamaica? That’s crazy!” asked one user. Others called Franklin a false prophet, referring to other controversies, including a leaked phone call where he cursed out his estranged son. “I feel like he’s apologizing for ‘acting a fool’ in public, but would still do the same off stage,” wrote one user. “That’s not integrity tho. Integrity is doing the right thing when no one is watching.