Kathie Lee Gifford says decades in television never convinced her the supernatural wasn’t real. Instead, she believes two unforgettable encounters with what she describes as demonic manifestations only deepened her confidence in the truth of Scripture.
Speaking on the Blurry Creatures podcast, Gifford said evil has not necessarily increased in recent years—but it has become more visible.
“I don’t think there’s more evil in the world now than there used to be,” Gifford said. “Satan is Satan… he has his demons. There’s an evil spirit, and there’s a Holy Spirit. I believe that with all my heart.”
Her comments came during a wide-ranging conversation exploring spiritual warfare, biblical history and the unseen realm, including discussion of the Nephilim, angels and the supernatural themes woven throughout Scripture.
One of the most startling moments came as Gifford recounted an experience from her teenage years while vacationing in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. She said she and several friends were approached by a group of young men who offered them marijuana.
When Gifford declined, she said she simply replied, “No, Jesus.”
According to Gifford, everything changed in that instant.
“They went from the most gorgeous boys…,” she recalled, before describing what she believed was an immediate transformation in their appearance after hearing the name of Jesus. She said the experience was so unsettling that she and her friends quickly left while the young men followed them for several blocks.
Looking back, Gifford said she was convinced she had encountered demonic oppression rather than an ordinary interaction.
She shared another chilling story from her first trip to Israel at age 17 while visiting Bethlehem.
Gifford said she and her mother entered a historic church where worshippers were lighting candles before descending to a lower level. After realizing they had left their purses on the tour bus and could not leave a monetary offering, she said a cloaked monk suddenly began growling at them.
Then, she said, his appearance dramatically changed.
“The teeth got orange, the eyes blood red,” Gifford said. “You know it when you see it. It’s not subtle.”
Asked whether those experiences altered her understanding of the supernatural, Gifford answered without hesitation.
“It confirmed everything Jesus ever said.”
The discussion soon expanded beyond Gifford’s personal experiences and into one of the Bible’s most debated supernatural subjects: the Nephilim.
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As the Blurry Creatures hosts noted that their audience frequently studies Genesis 6, the Nephilim and what they described as an “angelic rebellion,” Gifford immediately recognized where the conversation was headed.
“The Nephilim,” she replied. “Yeah… they’re still around.”
They pointed out that much of the modern church has minimized the supernatural worldview found throughout Scripture, citing discussions of angels, giants and the unseen realm. Gifford largely agreed, saying many believers have never been taught those aspects of the Bible. She also pointed to what she believes is the greater issue facing humanity.
“Everybody needs a Messiah,” Gifford said. “Whether it’s from their own addictions or their own relationships, their own brokenness.”
She went on to say that many Christians spend significant time emphasizing salvation while giving far less attention to the Holy Spirit’s ongoing work of sanctification in a believer’s life.
For Gifford, discussions about the Nephilim, demons and spiritual warfare ultimately point back to Jesus Christ. While she believes the unseen realm described throughout Scripture is real, she repeatedly emphasized that Christians should not become fascinated with darkness itself but instead remain anchored in the One who has already overcome it.
That conviction has only grown stronger through years of studying the Bible in its original historical and Jewish context. Throughout the interview, Gifford encouraged believers to look beyond surface-level readings of Scripture and rediscover the richness of God’s Word, saying many passages take on entirely new meaning when understood through their first-century setting.
Whether discussing demonic encounters, the Nephilim or the ongoing battle between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness, Gifford consistently returned to one central message: Jesus Christ remains the answer to humanity’s deepest spiritual battle.
In a culture increasingly captivated by the paranormal and the unexplained, she urged believers to keep their eyes fixed not on evil itself, but on the Savior who has already secured the victory.
Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the newly released book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
