Kehlani and Javaughn Young-White’s relationship seemed solid on the surface — a bond that saw them go from a short-lived romance to co-parenting their daughter, Adeya Nomi, born in 2019. But what was once a peaceful dynamic has now spiraled into a public feud, filled with shocking accusations and legal battles that have gripped fans. As Kehlani kicks off their 2024 tour for Crash, their personal life has taken center stage, with drama spilling over onto social media and into the courts.
Source: Instagram/@kehlani, @javaughnyw
Here’s a timeline of how things went from good to bad between Kehlani and Javaughn.
2018: A Sweet Beginning
Kehlani and Javaughn’s relationship became public in 2018 after Kehlani revealed the romance on Nicki Minaj's Queen Radio, shortly after announcing they were expecting a child together. Javaughn, a guitarist and the brother of comedian Jaboukie Young-White, seemed like a perfect match for the singer, with both of them bonding over their identities as LGBTQ+ individuals. During the interview, Kehlani expressed how deeply they connected: "He understands my queerness and my fluidity, and I understand him. It’s very awesome to be understood.”
2019: Adeya’s Birth and the End of the Romance
In March 2019, the couple welcomed their daughter, Adeya Nomi, through a home birth. The joyous news was shared on social media, with both Kehlani and Javaughn posting their happiness at becoming parents. However, the romance quickly fizzled out after Adeya's birth. Although neither shared what led to the split, they continued to emphasize how well they co-parented.
2021: Co-Parenting Harmony
For years, it seemed like Kehlani and Javaughn had figured out how to navigate co-parenting. In a 2021 episode of Pride On! Kehlani & Larry’s Excellent Pride Ride, the singer described their relationship with Javaughn as “really close friends” and praised their ability to work together as parents. “The decision to start a family was really easy for us because we both believed in each other’s ability to be good parents,” Kehlani said at the time.
2024: Things Take a Turn
The harmony between Kehlani and Javaughn seemed to unravel by mid-2024. In August, court documents revealed that Javaughn had filed for full custody of Adeya, along with child support. The filing included startling claims that Kehlani was involved in a “cult” and had left Adeya with "random strangers" while on tour. Among those strangers was reportedly a woman Kehlani referred to as "Messiah," who allegedly bathed with Adeya while under the influence of psychedelics. Javaughn further claimed that this “cult leader” had been accused of sexual misconduct.
Kehlani quickly responded via Instagram Stories, denying any involvement in a cult or putting their daughter in a dangerous environment. They emphasized that their commitment to motherhood remained unwavering and urged for privacy in dealing with the matter.
Source: X/@thehype984
The Allegations Continue
Despite Kehlani’s attempts to keep the situation private, the public scrutiny intensified. As rumors swirled about Kehlani’s spiritual practices, Javaughn took to Instagram to clarify his stance. He denied ever claiming that Kehlani was in a sex cult or that Adeya was involved in anything harmful. "I never said that I think Santería is a sex cult," he posted. "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.”
August 2024: A Restraining Order and Escalating Tensions
On August 9, 2024, news broke that Kehlani had been granted a temporary restraining order against Javaughn, citing physical, verbal, and emotional abuse. According to reports, the abuse had been ongoing, including during their pregnancy. The filing mentioned an incident in June 2024 when Javaughn allegedly broke down Kehlani’s locked bedroom door in a fit of rage. Kehlani also accused Javaughn of being negligent when caring for Adeya, claiming that their daughter would return from his care "filthy and reeking of marijuana."
In response, Javaughn fired back with more Instagram posts, including screenshots of conversations between the exes. He alleged that Kehlani was twisting the narrative and claimed that it was they who had exhibited abusive behavior. Javaughn’s posts included messages from Kehlani praising him as an "incredible father" just weeks before the custody battle began.
What’s Next?
The custody battle is far from over, and the public may continue to see this once-private dispute play out online. While Kehlani tries to focus on their music career and touring, the legal issues and the strained relationship with Javaughn are unlikely to fade into the background anytime soon.
In the end, what was once a picture of co-parenting success has transformed into a contentious, very public legal fight. Fans can only hope that both sides can find a way to put Adeya’s well-being first as they move forward from this tumultuous chapter.
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