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Kehlani Responds to "Hurtful" Accusation She’s in a Cult
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Date:2025-04-17 09:09:51
Kehlani is focusing on her family amid serious allegations.
Two weeks after the "Nights Like This" singer's ex Javaughn Young-White filed for legal and physical custody of their daughter Adeya Parrish, 5, Kehlani slammed the notion that Adeya is being raised in a cult.
"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," Kehlani wrote on her Instagram Stories Aug. 6. "I also do not align with any of the allegations made against my former religious community that have been stated in the media."
"What has been published in the media over the past 24 hours is incredibly hurtful, inaccurate, and simply untrue," the statement continued. "I wanted to take the time to ensure that I responded to these accusations from a calm and considered space rather than a reactive one."
The 29-year-old—who previously spoke about practicing the Afro-Caribbean religion Santeria—noted that this is a "legal, private, familiar matter that will be handled accordingly" and emphasized her dedication to their daughter.
"I have always taken great care to ensure that my child remains protected and safe at all times," they continued. "My child and my commitment to motherhood have always been my sole driving forces in this life and will always remain so. This is who I am and what I have always been focused on."
Kehlani (real name Kehlani Parrish) concluded the post by thanking fans for their support, adding, "I will not be commenting further and will let the legal due process take place."
Meanwhile, Young-White—who, according to court documents obtained by E! News, alleged that Adeya was being kept away from him at the command of a cult leader—also clarified his comments.
"I never said that I think Santeria is a sex cult," he wrote in his own statement on Kehlani's Instagram Stories Aug. 6. "Nor did I say that my daughter is in a sex cult. That's factually incorrect."
"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," he continued. "This unfortunate trauma only increases the obstacles in ensuring my child's well-being."
He also alleged in his statement that the filing was "incomplete" and did not have his "authorization by error of counsel." He added, "There will be an amended filing soon which will illustrate my full range of concern."
In his July 24 petition, the 27-year-old alleged Kehlani “has been involved in this cult for the past few years, and it appears that this cult controls her actions and her behavior.”
He stated that he was denied from seeing their daughter after “the cult leader” had a vision that Young-White "was a danger" to Adeya. He alleged that instead, Kelani leaves their daughter “with random strangers who are also members of the cult," including the cult leader, whom Young-White alleges "has numerous accusations of committing sexual assault against women and young girls."
He also alleged, "Our daughter will continue to be exposed to the possibility of being sexually abused, particularly by the leader of the cult and other cult members."
But Young-White concluded in his petition that his goal wasn't to disparage Kehlani.
"However, the environment that she has created for her self is not the type of environment that a child should be living," he wrote. "Therefore, I bring myself to the mercy and wisdom of the Court to save my daughter before it is too late."
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