Who Is Chad Johnson? New Details On Michelle Williams' Fiancé
He's a minister.
Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com Are you guys watching Chad Loves Michelle on OWN? Michelle Williams, formerly of Destiny's Child is engaged to a minister named Chad Johnson. The two are filming the period leading up to their wedding and all the stressful things that come with that for the reality series including marriage counseling and Michelle's battle with depression. On the second episode, which aired on November 10th, the couple had a fight and Williams brought up the subject of race (Johnson is white). Johnson got frustrated and hit back at her asking if she took her meds that day. OH NO HE DIDN'T! Who is Michelle Williams' fiancé? Who is Chad Johnson?
1. The issue
The second episode of the OWN series focused on the topic of the couple's interracial relationship. They began dating in the summer of 2017 and in that time have had a lot of fights including over Williams' depression. Johnson brought up her mental health in the most recent episode after they argued about race. She told their marriage counselor, "Well, Chad, because you are not black you would not understand why I communicate the way I do. Maybe because you didn’t grow up around a lot of black people. And this is not to justify it, but yesterday when we had the disagreement, he said, ‘Did you take your meds today?’” Johnson offered a half apology, saying that race shouldn't be a factor in every argument they have.
2. How did they meet?
Chad and Michelle met in March 2017 at a spiritual retreat. At the time, the singer was in a "horrible, dark place." She said, "I just needed to go somewhere where I could get a message of hope and restoration, rejuvenation, get connected to God."
3. He's a minister
Johnson was born in Colorado and grew up there and in New Mexico. He moved to Phoenix for college and got his bachelor's degree in Christian Ministries from Arizona Christian University. He's worked as a chaplain for pro sports teams including the Los Angeles Dodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Arizona Cardinals, directing players in daily devotionals with their families. The 40-year-old also runs the nonprofit Elevate International, which serves urban youth and their families in spiritual retreats like the one he met Michelle at.
3. He wants to be a dad
Chad currently lives in Phoenix but plans to move to Los Angeles to be with Michelle once they are married. In an interview with People, he said his biggest desire is to get married and have kids. “I was getting ready to turn 40, she’s in her late 30s. Neither of us have been married, had children, and I think you just get to a place sometimes where you’re just so career-driven, so focused on what you’re doing at the moment, that it’s kind of a comfort zone. Both of us were in very similar places on a personal level.”
4. He's gotten the blessing of Beyonce and her mom
Chad met Kelly Rowland in July and Beyonce and Jay-Z at the Made in America festival in September. Tina Knowles-Lawson, Bey's mom, gave Michelle and Chad her blessing in an Instagram post, saying: This is my newest favorite couple. They are evenly Yoked. A fine young man. A gorgeous young lady inside and out.
5. They are proud of being interracial
Johnson told People, “I’m white, she’s black. What a special time for our relationship to be on display in that respect with the tension in the world and in our country.”
6. They are waiting to have sex
Williams and Johnson opened up about their relationship on Essences's Yes, Girl! podcast about Johnson's decision to wait until they got married to have sex. “When we started dating, he said sex is not an option, and it was such a breath of fresh air because it was like, Oh, so you’re not one of those men who feel like okay, we have to have sex. I don’t have to have sex with you to keep you. You know, and so, that was pressure off of me, like, thank God.” Johnson commented that his decision to hold off on sex was about his desire to please God and Williams.“Of course, [the decision] is faith-based first. But second off, I wanted her to feel like the wedding day was gonna mean something extra special. And, then I also felt like it was an expression of my love for her — that I can wait and you don’t have to do anything extra to win my love. I can be 100-percent attentive and available still.”
7. Michelle's health and his dangerous behavior
A few months after she met Johnson, in early 2018, Williams checked herself into a mental health facility to seek treatment for her depression. She has ended her engagement to Johnson more than once because she did not feel worthy of his love. Using her mental health issues — which are so very recent (and ongoing as depression is) — is a giant red flag and the internet isn't having any of that. Chad said in his apology that he said it out of anger not because of race. But let's be honest, you should never say something like that to someone you like, let alone love — I don't care if you're black, white, brown, yellow, or freaking purple. Twitter especially erupted in concern for Williams and urged her to walk away before the situation gets worse.
Amy Lamare is a Los Angeles based freelance writer covering entertainment, pop culture, beauty, fashion, fitness, technology, and the intersection of technology, business, and philanthropy. She is deeply devoted to her chocolate Labrador and an avid long distance runner. You can find her on Instagram and Facebook.