Kristen May has parted ways with Flyleaf after nearly four years with the band. May announced her departure through a video released via her personal Facebook account, citing both personal reasons and not fitting in with the band as reasons for the exit.

Original Flyleaf vocalist Lacey Sturm left the band in 2012 shortly before New Horizons was released. Sturm’s exit left some massive shoes to be filled, but Kristen May stepped up to tour with the group before becoming a full-time member and recording 2014’s Between the Stars.

“Now is the time I unfortunately have to say goodbye to Flyleaf,” May says. “If you were a fan of what I have done with Flyleaf, I just want to say thank you so much and much love to you. Any positive word was never unnoticed.”

She continues, "I've toured in bands and been on the road and away from home for twelve years. And so, for me, to be able to plant some roots for a little bit with my son and with my husband and our dogs here at my home is really, really important to me. I feel like it's something that God has called me to do. I feel like it's a very high calling for me, and a very clear calling for me.”

However, she also says she felt like she never quite fit in with Flyleaf, stating, "Though I love the album Between the Stars, and I feel like the guys and I really poured our hearts and souls in it, I never truly felt like I was part of the team in a way that I never truly felt like the band was mine. And I'm sure a lot of people feel that way when they come into a band that had a previous lead singer. The story isn't all mine. And so I never truly felt like I fit in. And so I just feel like life is too short to stay where you aren't fully growing."

As for May’s future, she assures fans that new music will eventually come from the former Flyleaf songstress. "As far as will I make music later? Absolutely,” May declares. “I know that I will make music again. I already am picking up the guitar again and getting time when I can to make music. But I don't think it will be with Flyleaf.”

Flyleaf have yet to issue any official statement regarding Kristen May’s departure, but they did post the following tweet a few days ago:

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