While answering fans during a weekly Q&A on Instagram, Brian McKnight shared an update about his estranged son Niko, who is battling stage four cancer. The singer explained that he learned about his son’s diagnosis six months ago and quickly took action to provide aid for his son.
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McKnight and his wife, Leilani Mendoza, contacted medical specialists, secured a spot at a treatment facility near his home, and placed a deposit to ensure Niko received top priority. According to Page Six, the singer also said they collected Niko’s medical reports and delivered them to a specialist who could outline a plan to help him fight cancer. However, McKnight’s ex-wife, Julie McKnight, intervened, and the singer claims he received a hostile her where she demanded to end his involvement in their son’s medical plan. He also claims that Julie was pushing against him, and it was a difficult decision to stop being involved in his son’s medical care, but he confirmed that he and Mendoza were praying for Niko.
Julie told the outlet that McKnight’s claims are untrue: “This is, once again, a response to bait myself & my family into his false narrative. He is a liar.” Last week, Julie and Niko slammed the singer on social media for calling his four eldest children, Brian Jr., Niko, Briana, and Clyde, “a product of sin” and “pure evil.”
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The couple divorced in 2003 after 13 years of marriage and share two children, Brian Jr. and Niko. It was previously reported that the singer changed his name to match his son with Mendoza.
““🤍🤍🤍 So proud to introduce our son🤍BRIAN KAINOA MAKOA JR. 🤍 to the world with the release of my new album lovingly created for him. JR. because I am also proud to officially announce that I have legally changed my name to exactly match my legacy’s. My legal name is now BRIAN KAINOA MAKOA MCKNIGHT SR,”
Former fans of McKnight also condemned his actions on social media after his comments about his four eldest children.