Posted January 15, 2008 - Washington State native Crystal Aikin is the very first winner of BET’s “Sunday Best” competition, but we figure it won’t be her last accolade. Aikin was the people’s choice in a show watched by more than a million gospel music fans, so it seems she has a long and successful career ahead of her. Appearing with the other finalists on BET’s “Celebration of Gospel,” airing on Sunday, Jan. 22 at 8 p.m., Aikin showed that her win was no fluke. She was impressive, showcasing her powerful voice on the same stage with gospel legends like Yolanda Adams and Pastor Shirley Caesar. One day, you can expect for Aikin to join the ranks among gospel icons. We caught up with her recently to find out what she’s been up to since her win.
BET.com: You’re from Tacoma, Wash. Have we been missing something or is that an undiscovered hotbed of gospel music?
Crystal Aikin: We’re definitely not in the Bible Belt, but we have different singers and different styles. I think what makes us unique is that we don’t have the Kim Burrells and the J. Mosses and the Commissioned history and all that phenomenal talent. We have those CD’s coming to us. I think Washington has a different sound because we’re not raised around all that. I think a lot of people sound like Kim [Burrell]. She’s phenomenal so they emulate that. We don’t have that, so you have to find what you’re good at and be good at it.
BET.com: What is it like going from anonymity to being recognized by hundreds of thousands of people?
Crystal Aikin: Because I was born and raised there, I’m not a foreigner to my hometown. People have seen me grow up singing, so I know they’re very proud of me. So I have a little fan base. But when the finalists and I went to Washington, D.C., wow, we got out of the car and people were screaming our names. We were like – “What?” They knew us; they recognized us; they remembered us. I work in a hospital, and patients and family members of patients even knew us, and they weren’t just African American. I’m impressed that a different race of people is actually watching the show and recognizes the faces they’ve seen on TV.
BET.com: What has your personal adjustment been like?
Crystal Aikin: I appreciate the recognition. To God be the glory. When people see my face, it’s not just for the performance. They recognize the anointing. They’re like, “There’s something on you girl! God is resting on you, girl!” I hear more of the recognition of God than I see people who recognize my face. I love talking to people; it’s no different than how it was when I was [singing in] my church. It’s just on a larger scale. I appreciate that people have been blessed by the show and blessed by the ministry that God has given me.
BET.com: This is your first “Celebration of Gospel.” How does it feel to be here after the whirlwind following your victory onthe show?
Crystal Aiken: This is amazing because I was just watching the 2007 “Celebration,” and I was like “Omigod, we’re going to be on the ‘Celebration of Gospel 2008!’ Omigod!” I’m elated. This is more than a dream come true. I would have never dreamt that I would be on television, let alone on the “Celebration of Gospel,” with nationally known recording artists, who have been doing this more than five or six years. There’s some longevity in most of the artists we have up on stage. I am honored and blessed. God is doing something for me, and in me, to be able to be here. It’s not about me.
BET.com: Who are you singing with?
Crystal Aikin: I’m singing with the top five finalists from “Sunday Best” and with Fred Hammond, and then I get to sit in the audience and watch the show. That’s what I’m looking forward to.