Singer/songwriter turned chef Kelis has finally broken her silence on her violent marriage with legendary rapper Nas and the current status of their custody battle.
RELATED: Nas Says Kelis Violated Custody Agreement Over Jewish Holiday
In an exclusive interview with Hollywood Unlocked CEO Jason Lee, the “Milkshake” singer got candid about what led to her divorcing the “Illmatic” rapper while she was pregnant with their son Knight.
“There was a lot of mental and physical abuse”, Kelis said.
Kelis also revealed why she has chosen to stay silent on their relationship. Since becoming a chef and launching her successful brand Bounty & Full, the mother of two has been busy living her best life with her husband and two sons, Knight, 8, and Sheperd, 2.
“I’m living my life. I’m cooking. I’m raising my kids and I’m very private.” the “Food” singer said.
Despite how happy Kelis is at home, her name remains in media headlines over her custody battle with Nas.
“His memory is definitely faulty. I’ve waited 9 years to say anything. I have never talked about this man. The amount of airing out that I could do and don’t do is what our kids will find out.” Kelis stated.
Kelis opened up about Nas’ drinking habits and how that began to take a toll on their relationship that was filled with “intense highs and lows”.
“We had really intense highs and really intense lows. It was never normal. An intense high would be when money was rolling in. But I was 22 when I met him. We were drinking a lot, getting high a lot. So when that comes down, it was bad.” said the chef and entrepreneur.
She then continued to describe what an “intense low” looked like.
“An intense low….we had a lot. It was really dark. A lot of drinking. A lot of mental and physical abuse and it got to the point where if I wasn’t pregnant, I might have stayed with him.” she stated.
“I was pregnant and it was a mess and I felt like I wasn’t going to bring a child into this.” said Kelis.
Jason then asked Kelis directly if Nas put his hands on her, to which she replied.
“Did he hit me?…..Mmm hmmm. Did I hit him back?…..Mmm hmmm.” said Kelis.
Kelis says it wasn’t until she saw the photo of Rihanna’s face following her domestic dispute with Chris Brown in February 2009 that made the singer decide it was time to walk away.
“When the Rihanna and Chris Brown pictures came out I thought about coming out because I also had bruises all over my body. But I didn’t say anything because I’m private. But seeing her the way she looked and then looking at myself… I felt embarrassed.” the 38-year-old singer stated.
Fast forward to 2018, and Kelis is opening up about what has become of their custody battle over their 8-year-old son Knight. She touched on Nas’ co-parenting skills and how he “shows up when there’s a photo opp”.
“A parent isn’t about showing up when you feel like it. You can’t not show up for months and then show up and try to make up your own [visitation] schedule.”
Kelis went on to call the iconic rapper a “fraud” before speaking directly to other women who have gone through, or are going through, similar battles.
“Women can’t be afraid to fight”. Kelis concluded.
RELATED: Nas And Kelis Agree To Share Joint Custody Of Their Son
With all that she has gone through, Kelis says she has absolutely had enough which is why she’s finally speaking out and making sure she can help other women in the same position.
Kelis also shared that she is an investor in The Jane Club, a work and community space with an emphasis on women and the working mother.
We reached out to Nas’ team for a response.
#PressPlay above for the full interview and take a look at Kelis and Nas during their marriage below.