Kehlani is setting the record straight about the recent media coverage of her ex-partner Javaughn Young-White’s custody petition for their 5-year-old daughter, Adeya. The R&B singer, who uses she/they pronouns, blasted the reports as “incredibly hurtful, inaccurate, inappropriate, and simply untrue” in a statement posted to Instagram Stories on Tuesday.
Young-White also spoke out, condemning TMZ for publishing what he called a “factually incorrect” version of his custody request. He emphasized that he didn’t need to “paint an unfair image of my co-parent for my justifiable feelings to be respected by the court of law.”
Court documents reviewed by PEOPLE included allegations from Young-White that Kehlani was involved in a cult with a leader accused of sexual assault, and that this group was preventing him from seeing Adeya. He also claimed that the leader performed “religious ceremonies” on their daughter and that he was physically restrained and threatened by cult members.
Kehlani responded firmly, denying any allegations of endangering her child. “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,” she wrote. She clarified that she does not align with the allegations against her former religious community.
The singer, who practices Santeria, an Afro-Caribbean religion, expressed her unwavering commitment to her daughter and motherhood. “My child and my commitment to motherhood have always been my sole driving forces in this life and will always remain so,” she stated.
Young-White clarified that he never labeled Santeria as a sex cult and accused TMZ of sensationalizing his statements and breaching his confidentiality. He noted that the filing was incomplete and done without his authorization due to an error by his counsel, whom he no longer employs. He announced plans for an amended filing and called for TMZ to issue a formal retraction and apology.
Kehlani concluded her statement by announcing that she would be taking some time for herself and Adeya’s well-being, handling the matter privately. “Thank you for your support and for respecting our privacy,” she wrote. “I will not be commenting further and will let the legal due process take place.”
