Speaker, author, and ministry leader Toni Collier is publicly sharing new details about the collapse of her marriage to former Hillsong Atlanta pastor Sam Collier, alleging that the final breaking point came when Sam was extorted by a transgender prostitute from whom he had allegedly solicited sex.
The allegations surfaced during a recent conversation with Christian hip-hop artist Lecrae, where Toni described a moment in September 2023 that "made everything come crashing down." According to Toni, Sam received a phone call informing him that he was being extorted for tens of thousands of dollars by an individual threatening to expose a compromising video and to appear at their church if demands were not met.
"This had to be the last time," Toni said, reflecting on what she described as a long history of marital turmoil. She explained that the alleged extortion incident forced her to confront the depth of the crisis in their marriage and prioritize the well-being of her children. Toni filed for divorce in December 2023, later stating publicly that repeated infidelity had taken a severe toll on their family.
Sam Collier - who became Hillsong's first Black lead pastor before resigning and launching Story Church in 2022 - has previously denied allegations of infidelity, though his public responses have shifted over time. In an earlier statement, Sam accused Toni of abuse; he later deleted and retracted the post, maintaining his innocence regarding the infidelity claims.
No legal documentation related to the alleged extortion incident has been made public, and no criminal charges have been announced. The details presented in Toni's interview remain allegations made from her perspective.
The Colliers' story has drawn considerable attention within the faith community, both for its high-profile nature and for the broader questions it raises about leadership accountability, pastoral integrity, and transparency in ministry. Toni said her decision to speak out was motivated by a desire for healing and clarity after what she described as years of private struggle.
As of now, neither Sam Collier nor Story Church has issued a new statement in response to Toni's latest claims.
