UPDATED 8/6, 9:17 p.m. ET: On Tuesday night, Kehlani's ex, Javaughn Young-White, released a statement asking TMZ to apologize and retract an article the outlet published, which has Young-White alleging that the singer was involved in a cult.
"I never said that I think Santeria is a sex cult. Nor did I say that my daughter is in a sex cult," he wrote in a post shared to Instagram. "That's factually incorrect and I think it's disgusting that TMZ would exploit a child's image like that. Further, I have not been made aware of any court ordered mediation as of writing this per the account of TM. Personally, I would love for TMZ to justify to me, the father, how they came up with this narrative."
He continued, "The TMZ article sensationalized aspects of what was said while simultaneously breaching my confidentiality. Further, the filing of my case was incomplete and did not have my authorization by error of counsel. I am no longer represented by the aforementioned counsel. There will be an amended filing soon which will illustrate the full range of my concern. I do not need to paint an unfair image of my co-parent for my justifiable feelings to be respected by the court of law. This unfortunate trauma only increases the obstacles in ensuring my child's wellbeing. For now, I am hoping to clear the discrepancies made by TMZ. I hope to see a formal retraction and apology."
In addition to the IG post, Young-White share an IG Stories message in which he thanked the close friends he has who "wanted to advocate for me" and "try to protect my integrity and heart."
See original story below.
The father of Kehlani's daughter is seeking sole custody of their child over the singer-songwriter's alleged involvement with a cult, TMZ reports.
In a paternity petition filed by Javaughn Young-White and obtained by TMZ, he alleges that Kehlani's involvement in the cult has influenced the way in which she's been raising their 5-year-old daughter, Adeya Nomi.
"Adeya was born through a home birth orchestrated by what I would describe as a cult that she belongs in," Young-White alleges in the documents, per People. "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 alleges that the cult leader convinced Kehlani to cut off contact based on a "vision."
"He had a vision that I was a danger to our daughter and would kill her," he adds im the court documents. "Based on this ‘vision’ by her cult leader, Respondent prevented me from seeing our daughter for months." I
Young-White also alleges that the cult leader has "numerous accusations of committing sexual assault against women and young girls."
He goes on to describe "ceremonies" the cult leader conducts with the child, when no one "is allowed to be in the room." He says he was "physically restrained and threatened" by members of the alleged cult when he "attempted to retrieve our daughter." He also accuses an adult woman of being permitted to take baths with Adeya Nomi while "under the influence of psychedelic drugs."
Young-White accuses Kehlani of leaving their child with the alleged cult members when she goes on tour.
Along with sole custody and child support, citing Kehlani's income as bigger than his, Young-White wants Kehlani to be psychologically evaluated "to determine whether or not she does have a bipolar disorder."
Kehlani has not yet responded to the allegations.