Kehlani attends the 2023 Adult Video News Awards on January 07, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. ; Javaughn Young-White attend the 51st NAACP Image Awards on February 22, 2020 in Pasadena, California.Photo:Gabe Ginsberg/Getty ; Frazer Harrison/Getty
Gabe Ginsberg/Getty ; Frazer Harrison/Getty
Kehlani’s former partner, Javaughn Young-White, istaking the singer to court, five years afterwelcoming their daughter, Adeya.
The “After Hours” singer and Young-White had Adeya on March 23, 2019, after dating for a year. Though they broke up shortly after, they have continued to co-parent privately. However, in August 2024, Young-White filed for full custody of Adeya, claiming Kehlani is in a cult and that the group is controlling her actions “including when it comes to the upbringing of our daughter."
Kehlaniresponded to the allegationsa few days later in a statement on Instagram, writing that she denied some of the claims made in the lawsuit.
“I strongly deny any claims that I have put my child in harm’s way, or left my child alone with anyone deemed dangerous or unsafe,” Kehlani wrote. “I also do not align with any of the allegations made against my former religious community that have been stated in the media.”
The singer has previously spoken positively about her co-parenting relationship with Young-White.
“I have a 2-year-old daughter…She’s the best,” the singer, who uses she/they pronouns, said on their 2021 Facebook Watch specialPride On! Kehlani & Larry’s Excellent Pride Ride. “Me and her dad are like really, really close friends, and the decision to start a family was really easy for us because we both believed in each other’s ability to be good parents.”
Young-White’s main occupation is as a guitarist, which is also how he met Kehlani. The singer confirmed Young-White was their guitarist in October 2018 during an interview onNicki Minaj’s Queen Radio.
Javaughn Young-White and Jaboukie Young-White attend the 51st NAACP Image Awards on February 22, 2020 in Pasadena, California.Aaron J. Thornton/FilmMagic
Aaron J. Thornton/FilmMagic
Young-White’s brother is comedian Jaboukie Young-White, who is known for his stand-up comedy and appearing oppositeTrevor NoahonThe Daily Show. Though he left that position in 2021, Jaboukie has continued to find success in a number of projects, including a recurring role inOnly Murders in the Building.
Heannounced in May 2024that he was joiningTim Meadowsin the cast ofPharrell Williams’ upcoming musical.
“I started dating women before I ever dated men. Then I was lucky to find a partner who was a bisexual male,” Kehlani said. “And he really understands my queerness and my fluidity, and I really understand his. It’s very awesome to be understood.”
In 2021, Kehlani shared thatshe is lesbianafter previously believing they also liked men. They added in their 2021 Facebook Watch special that Young-White was supportive of her discovering more of her identity.
“We just focus on being a team, honestly, and when I was able to tell him I’ve come to newer terms with my sexuality and he’s super, super, super supportive,” the singer said.
Kehlani performs at O2 Academy Brixton on December 04, 2022 in London, England.Robin Little/Redferns
Robin Little/Redferns
“When I found out that I can get a break from touring because I’ve been primarily a touring artist, that’s when I planned for it for this time,” she said on Queen Radio.
When announcing their pregnancy, Kehlani alluded to Young-White, calling him their “best friend” and an “amazing partner” whom they “trust with [their] body.”
Kehlani and her daughter Adeya Nomi.Kehlani Instagram
Kehlani Instagram
Adeya was born on March 23, 2019, in a natural home birth, the singer and guitarist announced on their respective social media pages.
“Adeya is home. Kehlani gave birth at home standing up, unmedicated, into my arms as we spoke her 1st words to her,” Young-White wrote in a since-deleted post on X (formerly Twitter). “The most beautiful moment of my life.”
“These two are my reason & resolve. We are enjoying each other & our health, resting & surrendering to love. My heart is full,” he added.
Though Kehlani and Young-White were co-parenting after their 2019 split, the guitarist filed a lawsuit in August 2024 seeking full custody of his daughter.
In the documents, he alleged that Kehlani is part of a cult and is under the influence of the alleged leader, Neto. He added that his name was not included on his daughter’s birth certificate due to the home birth and alleged that he’s requested for his name to be added for five years but hasn’t heard back from the singer.
Young-White also alleged that Kehlani refused to give him his daughter’s social security number, and he speculated that she may not even have one. He also accused Kehlani of blocking him from seeing his daughter for a period of months because Neto had allegedly informed the singer that Young-White “was a danger to our daughter and would kill her.”
He further added that while previously Kehlani would leave Adeya with him while she was on tour, during the period that she denied him rights to see Adeya, Kehlani allegedly left her with other members of the cult, including an adult woman nicknamed “Messiah” who would bath with Adeya while allegedly under the influence of psychedelic drugs.
“I have been trying to express my fear, anger and concern to [Kehlani] about our daughter’s living environment when she is on tour and when she is with her cult, who essentially live in her home,” Young-White said in the documents. “However, instead of addressing my feelings, she resorts to disparaging me online to her millions of social media followers.”
Representatives for Kehlani and Young-White did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
A few days after Young-White’s filing, Kehlani denied the allegations in her Instagram Stories, stating that the situation is a “legal, private, familial matter” and that she is now “taking space for my own personal well-being and, most importantly, for the well-being of my child.”
They also reaffirmed their belief in prioritizing Adeya and their intent to continue to do so.
“I have always taken great care to ensure that my child remains protected and safe at all times,” they continued. “My child and my commitment to motherhood have always been my sole driving forces in this life and will always remain so. This is who I am and what I have always been focused on.”
Young-White also released a statement on his Instagram, slamming outlets that called Kehlani’s former religion a sex cult.
“I never said that I think Santería is a sex cult,” Young-White clarified in his statement. “Nor did I say my daughter is in a sex cult. That’s factually incorrect and I think it’s disgusting that [the media] would exploit a child’s image like that.”
Kehlani, who reshared Young-White’s Instagram on their story, has previously spoken about following the Regla de Ocha religion, or Santería.
source: people.com