The Tragedy and Redemption of Montell Jordan

Montell Jordan, the 6’8″ R&B superstar behind the iconic anthem “This Is How We Do It,” lived out a story of fame, heartbreak, and ultimate redemption.

Born in South Central Los Angeles in 1968 to devout Baptist parents, Montell grew up caught between the sanctuary of church and the dangers of the streets. He learned early how to navigate different worlds—church, home, and the block—developing a “spiritual schizophrenia” that would later define his struggle with identity.

By the late 1980s, Montell attended Pepperdine University, majoring in communications. At a fraternity ball in 1991, he met Kristen Hudson, the woman who would become his wife. They talked for eight hours, and Montell knew he’d found something rare. In June 1994, they married—seven months before Montell’s debut album dropped, intentionally building their foundation before fame arrived.

Before singing, Montell was a rapper. Encouraged by Kristen, he transitioned to R&B, eventually blending Slick Rick’s “Children’s Story” into “This Is How We Do It.” Released in 1995, the song hit number one and stayed there for seven weeks, selling over a million copies.

Montell recorded custom versions for cities across America, cementing his status as a superstar.

But fame came at a cost. Montell’s label insisted he hide his marriage, fearing fans wouldn’t buy music from an “unavailable” singer. Kristen became his manager, not his wife, and the world never knew they went home together. Montell lived multiple lives—on stage, at home, in interviews—fracturing his sense of self.

As Montell’s fame grew, so did the pressure. He began living a life that excluded Kristen, frequenting clubs and forming relationships outside his marriage. Eventually, a close friend exposed his infidelity.

Montell confessed everything to Kristen, who chose to stay, forgive, and rebuild. But forgiveness didn’t erase the pain. Years later, Kristen herself stepped outside their marriage, and Montell faced the same choice she had—walk away or forgive. He chose grace, finally understanding forgiveness as a lived reality.

The couple endured more tragedy: loss of a child, bankruptcy, and the collapse of Montell’s music career. Montell left the industry, tired of being marketed as a sex symbol, and entered full-time ministry at Victory World Church in Atlanta. He became a pastor, bringing light to dark places and mentoring artists on the road.

In January 2024, Montell received a cancer diagnosis—stage 1 prostate cancer. After surgery, the cancer returned in his lymph nodes. He began proton therapy, documenting his journey in a film called “Sustain.” He partnered with Zero Prostate Cancer, launching a 30-city tour to raise awareness and provide free screenings.

Despite the challenges, Montell and Kristen built a retreat center, the Jordan River, where marriages heal in private. They run Masterpiece Church, streaming every Sunday from their living room, sharing their story with honesty and hope. Montell’s legacy is not just a song, but a marriage that survived betrayal twice, a man who walked away from fame to find himself, and a pastor fighting cancer so others won’t walk alone.

After 32 years of marriage, five children, and four grandchildren, Montell Jordan’s story is one of loss, grace, and redemption. He learned you don’t have to hide to be loved, lie to be accepted, or be perfect to be redeemed. You just have to be real. If you want to know what redemption looks like, look at Montell Jordan—a man who lost everything and found something better.

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