Kehlani is responding to ex Javaughn Young-White’s child custody petition over their 5-year-old daughter, Adeya, and his claims that the singer is part of a “cult.”
The “Distraction” singer — who used she/they pronouns — took to their Instagram Stories Tuesday night to address Young-White’s “hurtful” and “inaccurate” accusations.
“What has been published in the media over the past 24 hours is incredibly hurtful, inaccurate, inappropriate, and simply untrue,” they wrote.
Kehlani said they wanted to take the time to respond to their ex’s claims “from a calm and considered space rather than a reactive one.”
“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,” they added.
The two-time Grammy nominee — who was previously open about practicing Santeria, an Afro-Caribbean religion based on Yoruba beliefs and Catholic elements — said they do not align with any of the “allegations made against my former religious community that have been stated in the media.”
I wanted to take the time to ensure that I responded to these accusations from a calm and considered space rather than a reactive one.
Instagram/Kehlani
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. I also do not align with any of the allegations made against my former religious community that have been stated in the media.
I have always taken great care to ensure that my child remains protected and safe at all times. 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.
This is a legal, private, familial matter that will be handled accordingly, and I will now be taking space for my own personal well-being and, most importantly, for the well-being of my child.
Thank you for your support and for respecting our privacy. I will not be commenting further and will let the legal due process take place.
In documents obtained by People Young-White, who is Kehlani’s former guitarist, wrote, “Adeya was born through a home birth orchestrated by what I would describe as a cult that she belongs in. Due to the fact that Adeya was born in a home and not in a conventional setting like a hospital, my name is not on Adeya’s birth certificate.”
He also claimed that he had requested that his name to be added to Adeya’s birth certificate for five years to no avail. He also said Kehlani refused to give him Adeya’s social security number, and that he’s unsure if she even has one. He added that the cult leader has “numerous accusations of committing sexual assault” against women and young girls, and that Kehlani leaves Adeya with strangers, including the cult leader, who sleep in bed with her and bathe her.