The award-winning and chart-topping gospel artist Le'Andria Johnson was arrested in Greenville, South Carolina, for public intoxication after allegedly causing a disturbance at a local restaurant. The incident adds to the singer's documented history of struggles with alcohol.

Written By Rebecca Johnson // EEW Magazine Online

Update: Le’Andria Johnson has issued a statement following her arrest, expressing gratitude to “all my family, my friends, and my supporters—thank you so much for your continued prayers and love.” She acknowledged that her struggle with alcoholism “is a daily walk, and this has been a daily walk for me for some time now.” She also stated that she is “still growing.”

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Grammy Award-winning gospel singer Le’Andria Johnson, 41, was arrested on December 16, 2024, in Greenville, South Carolina, on charges of public intoxication.

According to public records from the Greenville Police Department’s Sgt. Diana Munoz, Le’Andria Johnson was arrested at about 2:42 p.m. and charged with public intoxication and having an open alcohol container on a public street. 

Greenville News reports, in a disruptive incident at an upscale dining establishment, local police responded to BrickTop's restaurant on North Main Street following multiple reports of a disturbance. Witnesses say a woman, identified as Johnson, was seen screaming at fellow diners before departing the premises on foot along West Washington Street.

Law enforcement officials later located Johnson on North Laurens Street, where she was observed shouting obscenities at a male companion. The situation escalated when officers approached and witnessed Johnson attempting to conceal a styrofoam cup after hastily passing it to her companion, according to the official incident report.

According to police reports, Johnson exhibited multiple signs of intoxication, including an odor of alcohol, unsteady balance, and impaired speech. Officers noted that the styrofoam cup in question contained what appeared to be an alcoholic beverage, described in the report as an amber-colored liquid with a strong alcoholic odor.

Johnson, renowned for her powerful vocals and candid transparency, has openly discussed her struggles with alcoholism in the past. In 2019, she revealed that her battle with alcohol had led to a DUI arrest and a subsequent 30-day jail sentence for probation violation. During a testimony at the New Met Philly Church in Philadelphia, she admitted, "I was in denial. You know how long it took me to first accept that I had a problem?"

Her journey to sobriety included participation in the reality TV series "Iyanla: Fix My Life," where she worked with life coach Iyanla Vanzant to address her personal challenges. In a 2019 interview, Johnson expressed gratitude for the support she received, stating, "I owe it to myself, I owe it to God, I owe it to my kids, my family."

Despite achieving a milestone of nine months of sobriety in 2019, Johnson has faced ongoing challenges.

In September 2023, she made headlines for using explicit language—behavior she attributed to alcohol abuse—shortly after being baptized for a second time, sparking renewed concerns about her well-being.

Le’Andria Johnson first gained national attention after winning the third season of BET’s "Sunday Best" in 2010, which propelled her into a successful gospel music career. Her openness about her personal battles has resonated with many, highlighting the complexities faced by individuals in the public eye.

This latest incident underscores the ongoing challenges of addiction and the importance of continued support and treatment for those affected.

As of now, there has been no official statement from Johnson or her representatives regarding the recent arrest. Fans and members of the gospel community continue to express concern and support for her as she navigates these personal struggles.

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