Entertainment
Brian McKnight’s son Niko steps into the ring after Tyrese claims Rickey Smiley broke the man’s code by speaking out about McKnight’s failed relationship with adult children
Rickey Smiley desires to be a gift and male figure in the lives of Brian McKnight’s estranged biological children.
Over the past 12 months, the “Back at One” singer has faced unforgiving backlash for speaking openly about his breakdown in communication with his sons, Brian Jr. and Niko, in addition to daughter Briana.
Brian Sr. shares his sons with ex-wife Julie McKnight, who has been vocal on social media in the past about their father abandoning them. He also has a daughter from a separate relationship and one other son, Clyde, with one other woman.
Recently, a famous singer said that his offspring will not be from God. Responding to criticism for using biblical passages in his defense, McKnight said, “God wasn’t talking about children being the result of sin, which they are,” and that “I didn’t raise them; their mothers did it.”
In 2017, McKnight remarried to his current wife Leilani Mendoza. She has two adult children, Julia and Jack McPhee, from a previous relationship. In 2022, the couple welcomed their first child, a son named Brian Kainoa Makoa Jr. In 2023, the “Love of My Life” singer legally modified his surname to the surname of his youngest son.
In the May 6 video, Smiley invited the recording artist’s children. He said he was “completely stunned and horrified” to listen to the singer’s justifications for denying his own flesh and blood while warmly embracing his stepchildren as his only children.
“I just want to tell Brian McKnight’s children – all his children – the ones he said were born into evil, born from evil… whatever he claims or whatever – that you have a lot of support here,” the radio host said.
I need adult children #BrianMcKnight who was #overtaken know that they’ve quite a lot of support here. You’re not kicked out.#RickeySmiley pic.twitter.com/rAtO1IH7aL
— Rickey Smiley (@RickeySmiley) May 6, 2024
Smiley went on to inform the three young adults that they were all the time welcome in his home state of Alabama: “Where there are men and uncles, and there are a lot of people in Birmingham who take in children abandoned by their fathers. I’ve seen a lot of it.”
Moreover, the veteran comic said: “If you ever feel any way or feel unloved and you would like male figures, father figures, there are people like me here. (…) You will not be thrown away, you will not be trash, you might be loved, you belong respect you.”
He continued, “We’re not here to try to switch your father, which is unimaginable, but we might be something for you. Just remember to step into maturity and live your life and get the help and therapy you would like so you may move on because words hurt. And such things hurt lots. You know, whenever you say things like that, it is a bell that cannot be called off.
Brian McKnight exposed by his eldest son for calling them “products of sin”.
Everything you and your children do and take notes might be used against you in the future. Now I understand why his ex-wife left him. Children of any age mustn’t clean condoms. 🤦♀️ pic.twitter.com/HEaiENpIvJ
— Yetunde Folarin (@xxyettymamaxx) April 24, 2024
Speaking more on to the songwriter, he noted that “you is likely to be positive with your latest wife and all that, but she won’t find a way to offer you a kidney. She probably won’t find a way to offer you a chunk of liver, organ, or blood.
Smiley told McKnight to get off his “high horse… thinking you were doing something.” It can have to be one in all your children who can have to step in to avoid wasting your life.
Fans applauded his kind words, which got here a 12 months after his oldest child, Brandon Smiley, died of an accidental overdose at the age of 32. Singer Tyrese, nonetheless, stated that “in my opinion as a grown man, it’s unfair” for Smiley to speak about one other man’s family dynamics.
“I’m not addressing Brian or his wife, it’s none of my business. I’m just responding to Ricky Smiley’s comment,” the “Baby Boy” actor said. He then defended Brian Sr. by saying that your children will hurt you, making the relationship “toxic” and “unstable.”
“There are a lot of things that have been said and done over the years that are nobody’s business that have contributed to where they are,” Tyrese continued.
Although he admitted that he knew his musical peer personally, he said that they never talked about the disowned children or his exes.
Tyrese doubled down on his support when he said moms can corrupt a toddler’s perspective on their father by “brainwashing” and alienating a co-parent. He also revealed that his logic was influenced by his own struggles with the moms of his two daughters. Like Brian Sr. who was dating response.
“Rickey Smiley recently lost his oldest son. Life is such that you cannot afford to give up your children! Rickey Smiley supports them from a different place/perspective in his heart. @tyrese just learn to SHUT UP sometimes,” we read in one in all the comments. Someone else declared: “Defending Brian McKnight’s behavior is crazy.”
A 3rd person wrote: “Narcissistic people love to insert themselves into situations where they can play the victim.”
Tyrese has since deleted videos of himself defending Brian Sr.’s actions and words.
In a move to “cancel” him, he fled to Europe for a romantic getaway with his wife. While traveling, Brian Sr.’s concert in Detroit, originally scheduled for June 9, was canceled because fans complained about him and his approach to parenting.
After watching the entire discussion, Brian’s son Niko spoke out a couple of weeks after his father claimed his mother blocked him for offering support while battling cancer.
“When I used to be a child, Tyrese slept under our pool table. I do know the blood of the ’90s RnB fraternity is thicker than the rest, but you must wait it out, champ,” he wrote on his IG story, captured by Shadow Room. “You have relationships by which you may repair your individual children and your past decisions that you just made in the name of p…s and power. Allegiance to those two things keeps you from seeing that in the end, family is the only thing that matters. Real men cannot see beyond bulls… Vol.
He finished: “But let me stop. That 46-hour shot of chemo prepared me for Jody’s disappearance. It’s not like that.”
Entertainment
An attempt to save the image of Jeff Bezos’ future wife backfired after weeks of outrage and ridicule over her skimpy outfit
Lauren Sánchez has apparently gained a popularity for her fashion hits and misses as social media users began following her every move.
Billionaire Jeff Bezos’ current fiancée stepped into the highlight long before she met the Amazon co-founder, after years spent as co-host of “Good Day LA,” a reporter for “Extra” and host of “So You Think You Can Dance,” and he even starred in a number of movies like “Ted 2.”
She faced criticism for posting a sultry selfie in November in a negligee-inspired gown by designer Laura Basca. In October, the 54-year-old again faced backlash when she showed off her latex Halloween costume as Catwoman.
Now, weeks after being deemed “cheap” and tasteless, the founder of Black Ops Aviation has turn out to be a subject of discussion.
On December 5, Sánchez and the business mogul attended The New York Times’ DealBook event in New York City. For the occasion, she wore a white Alexander McQueen suit and a white lace corset. The beaming bride-to-be sent two mirror selfies of her outfit, which she signed: “winter white.”
One follower particularly was stunned by the whole look he ejaculated that she was “very attractive and beautiful, gorgeous and stunning, charming and fantastic young lady, sexy, charming, charming and elegant” in the photos that Sánchez took.
Two other people swooned over the photos and wrote: “So chic and elegant!” and “You look great.” But as you would possibly expect from online viewers, not everyone was impressed.
Jeff Bezos’ fiancée, Lauren Sanchez, cropped a photograph of him in a jumpsuit and then set Instagram on fire with her look.https://t.co/n7YNGctQFE pic.twitter.com/DNKP2i9o9C
— Sean Joseph (@sjoseph_sports) December 2, 2024
When Page six published paparazzi photos from the trip, the critic commented: “It’s 30 degrees in New York and she gets out of the limo in a white Miami smock, her bra visible to everyone. No taste. Nothing. A cashmere turtleneck, flannel trousers and a wool jacket can be classy.
Someone else sharply asked: “Who can be the first to tell her that she looks tacky and not elegant and refined? Does she even know what sophistication means? A 3rd person noted: “She looks more like she’s wearing a bathrobe.”
Lauren Sanchez 2003 vs. Lauren Sanchez 2024
Nothing to see here, people, move on#LaurenSanchez pic.twitter.com/mgr4vj6mFq
— Occam was right (@OccamWasRight) November 21, 2024
Another person wrote in a comment from a licensed pilot: “White means…” possibly referring to rumors that Sánchez and Bezos are scheduled to exchange vows over Christmas. At least one person doubted the couple would have the opportunity to say “I do.” This person said: “This will be the longest engagement ever. They will NEVER get married and we all know why!!!!”
Sánchez told the “Today” show hosts that she was in the process of planning the big day last month. She didn’t comment on speculation about exchanging Christmas vows.
Renewed interest and scrutiny of Sánchez has increased as the pair have been spotted in various locations in recent months. The couple reportedly began dating in 2018. Their engagement was announced five years later, in May 2023. Their upcoming wedding can be a second journey for each of them.
Sánchez was previously married to celebrity agent Patric Whitesell, with whom she has two children. She can be the mother of a son, whom she shares with Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez. Bezos was married to the mother of his three children, Mackenzie Scott, for 25 years once they divorced in 2019.
Entertainment
Apart from the song with singer-songwriter India Shawn – Andscape
India Shawn is a contemporary muse with a chilled nature, crafting love stories and heartfelt tales in smooth, charming songs. With over a decade of experience in the music industry as a singer-songwriter, Shawn has incredible strength. She was born in Los Angeles, and her musical roots reach throughout the country. Beginning her profession in her hometown, Shawn eventually found herself in Atlanta, where she immersed herself in the city’s deep-rooted R&B scene, further shaping her artistry.
“I transferred to ATL, I was in 10th grade, and that’s when my music journey really started,” Shawn told Andscape. “I met people who were trying to get by, so I ended up recording and learned what songwriting was really early on.”
Before releasing her debut EP in 2012, Shawn wrote songs and collaborated with artists similar to Chris Brown, El DeBarge, Keri Hilson and Monica. In 2013, she gained much more notoriety when Solange Knowles published her song “I’m Alive” on the Saint Heron compilationmarking her as an artist value watching.
Following the release of the single “There Must Be a God” from the Andscape soundtrack, she caught up with Shawn to learn more about the muse behind the vibes.
Name:
India Shawn
Hometown:
Los Angeles
Artistic soundscape
Airy, soft, telling a story, multidimensional, soft, mysterious, atmospheric
The oldest musical memory
Shawn’s soulful sound is deeply rooted in her upbringing, with influences drawn from her childhood memories and the musical culture of her church. “I sing with my sister all the time, and I also grew up singing behind my mom in church. She was the leader of praise and worship. So I feel like most of us R&B kids have that experience,” Shawn said. “I had these little solos in church, and I believe what made me consider in it was that after the service people got here as much as me with tears of their eyes and said, ‘You really moved me while you sang.’ “These early moments of connection with music and audiences laid the foundation for conveying depth and sensitivity through her music.
Influences
For Shawn, music, especially R&B, has all the time held a special place in her life. “Me and my sister are harmonizing in the living room, just picking some of our favorite songs, including for me Mariah Carey, Babyface, Boyz II Men and (and) Brandy,” she said of her early music memories.
Creative process
Shawn often draws inspiration from real-life experiences and relationships that influence her music. She weaves this into the authenticity and atmosphere of her songs, but she didn’t immediately recognize where her inspiration got here from. “It’s funny that it took me so long to make that connection, but I realized that I was telling my whole story and presenting my business through my music,” she said. “It took me two albums to realize, wait a minute, I’m giving people a lot to understand here… these aren’t just songs. This is truly the life I live.”
Challenges and development
As Shawn’s profession grows, so do his moments of appreciation and reflection. “I literally just thought about a very gradual progression of my career. It’s like step by step, but there are more breakthrough moments. My first tour, which was so beautiful, I just knew I could pack a room and people knew my lyrics and sang my songs to me. Those moments that make the waiting not in vain.”
Shawn has plenty of recommendation for up-and-coming singer-songwriters. Her biggest sacrifice? Collaboration is essential. “I think (cooperation) is really why I’m still here. So find your people… you’ll know when it feels right, you’ll have that freedom and fluidity, and you’ll be able to really create things and create without having to think too much.” He also shares the importance of patience. “Just be patient during the journey. This has been a theme throughout my profession. Let it develop. I feel like more things come from being in that flow and being present reasonably than forcing all of it.
Current project
“There should be a God”, the lead single from Andscape , now streaming on Hulu, also serves as a teaser for Shawn’s solo album. “(This song) is such a manifestation of God’s love,” she said. “I think when you find yourself in a place of waiting, you can feel very hopeless. So when you see glimpses of God’s love again, or the fact that you know there is a higher power, there is a source that is thinking about you, has you in mind, has a perfect plan for you, it’s just like the clouds parting. And this is the moment, I understand. I understand that I had to go through all this to get here. And that’s exactly what I felt in the studio that day.”
Entertainment
ICYMI: Tessa Thompson’s Mocha Lip, Danielle Brooks’ Updo and More – Essence
With just a number of weeks left until the tip of 2024, the celebrities are setting the tone for the brand new 12 months this week. And although mocha mousse is anticipated to be fashionable in 2025, neutral shades in darker tones have gotten more and more popular. Paired with an array of beauty eras – from elegant Twenties updos to 2000s-style round pink, the brand new Hollywood showcases its best 12 months-end beauty moments.
Tessa Thompson and Issa Rae are the newest to debut mocha lips holiday shade near the season, and Coco Jones’ lipstick was cranberry red. Doechii’s perforated suggestions and signature face-lift tape made it probably the most avant-garde look of the week, and within the sweetest moment, Chloe and Halle Bailey’s round pink cheeks made pink cheeks a winter styling staple.
From makeup to hairstyles, Sabrina Elba and Alva Claire opted for light, coffee colours, and Jourdan Dunn’s short hairstyle proved relevant at any time of the 12 months. Meanwhile, Lupita N’yongo, Danielle Brooks and Venus Williams’ braided buns showed just how classic this style may be.
In case you missed it, take a take a look at 17 of the very best celebrity beauty moments from the week below.
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