Sadie Robertson’s ‘Live Original’ tour returned to Allen Arena Sunday night, bringing some laughter, excitement, worship and inspiration to Nashville.
The night started off with a video presentation, introducing everyone in “The Squad,” which included John Luke Robertson, his wife Mary Kate, Reed Robertson, his fiancée Brighton Thompson, Cole Robertson, Bonnie Kate Zoghbi, her husband Max Zoghbi and, of course, Sadie Robertson.
Through the speaker’s testimonies, the tour addressed several topics that Christian teens struggle with today.
John Luke Robertson opened the event, sharing his testimony and making the point that lives are like a movie — “we can write our own story.”
Reed Robertson followed, discussing how he previously dealt with depression and suicidal thoughts. When his father, Duck Dynasty star Jase Robertson, found out that his son was considering committing suicide, he gave him some advice that changed R. Robertson’s thoughts, helping him turn his life around.
“Killing your self would be the most selfish thing you could do.”
R. Robertson said his father’s words hit him pretty hard and helped him refocus his life to center on Christ and others rather than himself.
“I never thought about how killing myself would hurt so many people,” he said.
Husband and wife Max and Bonnie Kate Zoghbi also gave their testimony; Bonnie Kate Zoghbi was shot in the knee at the 2012 Aurora, Colorado, theater shooting. M. Zoghbi shared their story in rhyme, revealing his wife’s experience from that night, and how she has continually lived her life full of joy, despite the horrific event.
Sadie Robertson also gave her testimony, detailing how she’s struggled with anxiety all of her life.
“It makes my hands and legs shake every time before I come on stage; it makes me run off planes crying because planes crash,” she said.
She noted that sometimes, people get used to the chains dragging them down, such as her anxiety, and how people often live life like it’s OK, never trying to break the chains. S. Robertson noted that she almost didn’t do Dancing with The Stars because of her anxiety, but she realized that she couldn’t let it drag her down and keep her from experiencing life.
The show also had several talented bands perform, in addition to the serious, emotional testimonies shared.
Performers included the band Reno, Love and the Outcome, Family Force 5 and Jacob Olds. During Olds’ concluding performance, the entire cast came out and danced on stage, including special guest star Willie Robertson.
Last year, the tour kicked off at Lipscomb. This year, the “Live Original” tour has visited more than 10 cities all across the nation, and Allen Arena was the last stop for the year.