With The Perrys Podcast: “Getting to Know Aunt CeCe (Winans)” — Episode Summary Date: December 15, 2025
Hosts: Preston Perry and Jackie Hill Perry
Guest: CeCe Winans

Episode Overview

In this engaging and heartfelt episode, Preston and Jackie Hill Perry share the couch with the legendary gospel artist CeCe Winans—affectionately “Aunt CeCe.” The conversation delves into CeCe’s faith journey, her family background, her influential music career, the balance between public ministry and private responsibility, lessons on boundaries, and the transformative power of prayer—especially as a parent. Packed with wisdom, laughter, and authentic storytelling, the episode offers a rare, personal glimpse into CeCe’s heart, her humility, and her enduring, Christ-centered vision.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. CeCe’s Roots: Family & Salvation Story

• Given Name & Family History
  • CeCe’s real name is Priscilla ([00:53]) and her brother BeBe is Benjamin.
  • The Winans family has a tradition of September birthdays—“Every day in September is almost somebody” ([01:43]).
• Faith Foundations
  • Grew up in a large, musically gifted, faith-centered family.
  • Salvation was not a single dramatic event:

    “I fell in love with the Spirit of God first… probably about nine years old, I asked the Lord to come into my heart, you know, but I fell in love with him, I think before then.” ([04:00])

  • Prayer with her grandmother had a lasting impact ([03:40]).
  • Early understanding of God’s love gradually overrode her childhood fear of hell ([05:14]).
• Staying "in" the Church
  • Never had a rebellious “outside” phase:

    “I had a lot of friends who did...and I just kind of stayed in and prayed for.” ([06:32])

2. Musical Journey: Motown to Gospel Icons

• Early Days
  • Singing was ever-present at home: “Singing was always a part of our lives…I was in the kids choir…My first solo was at 8” ([07:14]).
  • No one leveraged her talent as a child; she found joy in the background until later opportunities ([07:14]).
  • Andre Crouch’s mentorship pivotal for her and the Winans ([08:34]).
• Becoming BeBe & CeCe
  • Formed as a duo somewhat by accident when a performance was particularly well received ([08:34]).
  • Their cross-genre appeal (gospel and R&B) drew both acclaim and criticism:

    “We got a lot of flack...because in our home, all we could listen to was gospel…but we also grew up on Motown” ([10:11]).

3. Christ-Centered Influence Amidst Industry Pressures

• Staying True to the Message
  • CeCe’s music remains biblically sound, even as it’s embraced by the secular world ([13:48]).
  • Shared meaningful connections: e.g., Whitney Houston showing up at a BeBe & CeCe concert—

    “She came…on stage with us singing our songs better than we've ever sang them in our lives.” ([16:34])

• Blending Excellence and Integrity
  • Navigates fame by maintaining boundaries and the fear of the Lord:

    “When the fear of the Lord dictates what you do, you’re gonna have to say no to some lucrative stuff.” ([28:50])

  • The temptation to say yes must be balanced by responsibilities at home:

    “God is first, and then it’s my family…and then it’s everything else” ([18:01]).

4. Boundaries, Humility, and Prioritizing Home

• Respectful Boundaries
  • CeCe helps others set boundaries respectfully, e.g., teaching younger artists how and when to say no ([20:44]).
  • "People didn’t see me as CeCe Winans, the singer. There I was just, CeCe, sit down and hush up… They didn’t treat us like we were stars.” ([25:54])
• Keeping Home Central
  • The importance of home and church life as grounding forces:

    “Home humbles you.” ([32:17])
    “If you’re not…the home church—it’s the same thing.” ([32:53])

• Balancing Public and Private Roles
  • Open about the challenges of prioritizing marriage and parenthood while sustaining a public ministry ([17:48], [18:01]).
  • “When you honor God, he will honor you. And people might be mad at you… but then they’ll come around too.” ([31:13])

5. Celebrity, Church, and Real Community

• Boundaries at Church
  • CeCe asserts her boundaries at her own church:

    “I have to tell a lot of people no, because again, I fear the Lord. I’m not going to be in the church and y’all taking pictures. It’s not my concert.” ([34:50])

  • Encourages others to “show up as human” and not buy into celebrity culture ([38:02]).

6. Bridging Generations & Evolving Creatively

• Staying Relevant
  • Collaborating with younger artists (e.g., Brandon Lake) comes from embracing generational wisdom and input:

    “Having younger people around you…they’ll keep you in touch.” ([43:37])

  • Open to adapting her music without losing her identity—"I'm not trying to be 12" ([43:55])—and focuses on what God wants her to do ([45:02]).

7. Testimony: Prayer, Parenting, and Transformation

• Alvin III’s Redemption Story
  • CeCe shares the moving account of her son’s spiritual transformation in Australia:

    “He was messed up…He told God, whoever gets me first, me or the devil, that's the way I’m going…Got over there, hooked up with a friend…goes to this little church and God gets a hold of him.” ([46:51]–[48:00])
    “The Holy Spirit said, ‘I did all of this, and you were nowhere around.’” ([49:59])

  • Encourages parents to trust God deeply:

    “Love your kids, but don’t compromise for your kids. I love you, but I’m not going to hell for you either.” ([51:10]) “God will do it…and he’ll do it to the extent that you don’t even recognize them.” ([52:22])

8. Practical Wisdom for the Next Generation

• Parenting & Simplicity
  • “Keep it simple…You never get too educated for that.” ([55:35])
  • “The goal is to be like Jesus…As long as that’s your goal, you’re going to be fine.” ([56:14])
  • “Careers and popularity, that'll go up, that'll go down…But your relationship with Jesus…remains the same. It’s stable. It’s the only thing you can trust.” ([57:17])

Notable Quotes & Moments

• CeCe on Motivation:

  “The Lord just allowed our music to go places that we didn’t know it would go. R&B radio. We had more R&B hits than we had in the gospel.” ([14:43])

• CeCe on God’s Faithfulness:

  “When you honor God, he will honor you.” ([31:13])

• On Celebrity & Authenticity:

  “The way people will be able to get rid of the facade of who you are is you actually showing up as who you are. Human. And saying no to things that continue to prop up this image.” ([38:02])

• On Parenting and Prayer:

  “If I compromise, who’s going to bring you back, you know? …Every kid has to choose Him for themselves.” ([51:10], [54:59])

• On Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing:

  “I don’t worship what I do. I worship who He is.” ([56:51])

Timestamps for Major Segments

• CeCe’s Name, Family, Early Faith: [00:53]–[06:32]
• The Winans, Early Music Career: [07:14]–[08:34]
• Impact & Integrity in Music Industry: [13:19]–[16:43]
• Motherhood, Marriage, Priorities: [17:48]–[19:43]
• Boundaries and Church Life: [20:44]–[25:54], [33:08]–[35:40]
• Money & Ministry: [28:28]–[31:13]
• Home and Humility: [32:17]–[33:14]
• Navigating Modern Church & Fame: [34:38]–[38:53]
• Creativity Across Generations: [41:23]–[45:08]
• The Story of Alvin III: [45:18]–[54:11]
• Advice for Parents, Spiritual Anchoring: [54:57]–[57:32]

Episode Tone & Takeaways

Rich with humor, affectionate storytelling, theological depth, and hard-won wisdom, the conversation pulses with warmth and authenticity. CeCe’s humility and principled consistency, in both her personal and public life, serve as an inspiration for listeners navigating calling, family, faith, and influence.

Final word:

“Just keep it simple and be consistent in the things that matter.” — CeCe Winans ([57:18])