Deborah Joy Winans and CeCe Winans are two of the most famous names in the gospel music industry. They are both talented singers, actresses, and members of the musical Winans family. But are they related to each other? And if so, how?
Contents
The Winans Family Legacy
The Winans family is one of the most influential and successful families in gospel music history. It all started with David and Delores Winans, who had 10 children: David Jr., Ronald, Carvin, Marvin, Michael, Daniel, Benjamin (BeBe), Priscilla (CeCe), Angelique, and Debra
The Winans family began singing in their local church in Detroit, Michigan, and soon gained recognition for their harmonious and soulful sound. They recorded several albums and won numerous awards, including Grammys, Doves, and Stellars
Some of the Winans children also pursued solo careers or formed duos or groups with their siblings or spouses. For example, BeBe and CeCe Winans became a popular duo in the 1980s and 1990s, blending gospel, R&B, and pop music. They achieved crossover success and sold millions of records
The Relationship Between Deborah Joy and CeCe
Deborah Joy Winans is the daughter of Carvin Winans, who is one of the original members of The Winans group. She is also the niece of CeCe Winans, who is Carvin’s younger sister
Deborah Joy was born on September 6, 1983, in Detroit, Michigan. She grew up listening to her family’s music and singing in church. She graduated with a BFA degree from Wayne State University and an MFA degree in acting from the California Institute of the Arts
Deborah Joy began her acting career in 2014, appearing in a small film called Fragile World. She later played her aunt CeCe in the Lifetime biographical film Whitney, directed by Angela Bassett. She also made her stage debut in the musical Born for This: The BeBe Winans Story, alongside her brother Juan Winans, who played BeBe
In 2015, Deborah Joy was cast as Charity Greenleaf-Satterlee in the Oprah Winfrey Network drama series Greenleaf. She plays the youngest daughter and minister of music in a megachurch family that faces secrets and scandals. The series also stars Lynn Whitfield, Keith David, Merle Dandridge, and Kim Hawthorne
Deborah Joy married Terrence Williams in 2013 and welcomed their first child, son Terrence David Williams, in October 2020
The Bond Between Deborah Joy and CeCe
Deborah Joy and CeCe share a close bond as aunt and niece, as well as as colleagues and friends. They have expressed their admiration and love for each other on several occasions.
For example, when Deborah Joy was cast as CeCe in Whitney, she said that she was honored to portray her aunt, whom she described as “amazing” and “a legend”. She also said that she learned a lot from watching CeCe perform and listening to her advice
Similarly, when Deborah Joy gave birth to her son, CeCe congratulated her on social media and called her “a beautiful mother”. She also said that she was proud of Deborah Joy’s achievements as an actress and singer
Deborah Joy and CeCe have also collaborated musically on some occasions. For instance, they sang together on the song “Never Have to Be Alone” from CeCe’s album Let Them Fall in Love in 2017. They also performed together at the Stellar Awards in 2018.
Conclusion
Deborah Joy Winans and CeCe Winans are related by blood and by faith. They are both part of the Winans family legacy that has shaped gospel music for generations. They are also both successful artists who have inspired many people with their talents and testimonies.
Deborah Joy and CeCe have a special relationship as aunt and niece that goes beyond their family ties. They support each other’s careers and personal lives with respect and affection. They are truly a blessing to each other and to their fans.
I hope you enjoyed reading this article about Deborah Joy Winans and CeCe Winans relationship. If you did, please share it with your friends and family who love gospel music. Thank you for your time and attention!