It’s no secret that Brian McKnight is a proud father. But that pride seems to extend only to the younger and non-biological children.
The “One Last Cry” singer fathered eight children, including two with his wife, Leilani Malia McKnight.
McKnight has embraced Leilani’s two children from a previous relationship as his own while distancing himself from his biological children.
Now, his birthday tribute to stepson Jack McPhee has reignited criticism over how he treats his children.
McKnight went all out for Jack, celebrating his 24th birthday with praise and an expensive gift.
In a Sept. 7 video, he honored Jack by sharing his accomplishments and surprising him with a milestone gift.
The clip opens with the duo riding in the car together, Jack smiling from ear to ear as they talked.
It’s unclear what they were talking about, as McKnight’s voiceover covered the audio.
“Happy 24th birthday to our son, Jack,” he says.
“There are things you hope for when you become a parent,” he said, listing that a parent hopes their child is healthy, happy, and finds their purpose.
“But every once in a while, you’re blessed with a child who somehow becomes everything you could have hoped for and more,” he shares. “That’s Jack.”
He described Jack, who is in his second year of law school, an “extraordinary man.”
McKnight described him as “brilliant, disciplined, kind, loyal, thoughtful, and completely devoted to his family.”
However, McKnight said he’s proud of Jack for how he shows up for the family.
“We’re proud because of who you are when no one is watching,” McKnight said.
The singer praised him for protecting his big sister, Julia McPhee, 27, and his 3-year-old brother.
“A parent could spend a lifetime trying to describe the perfect son, but we don’t have to. We just call him Jack,” McKnight said.
It’s not clear what exact car he’s chosen, but in the caption McKnight wrote, “Birthday Pick-up truck shopping!”
Throughout the video, McKnight shared clips of himself and Jack walking around the car dealership.
His devotion to his stepson and youngest son has drawn criticism over his estrangement from his older biological children.
During his first marriage to ex-wife Julie McKnight, McKnight welcomed two sons, Brian McKnight Jr. and Niko. He also has a daughter, Briana McKnight, and another son, Clyde, from previous relationships.
Brian and Lelani married in 2017 and welcomed their first son, Kekoa Matteo, who died during infancy in 2022. They welcomed their second son, Brian Kainoa Makoa Jr., the following year.
In 2019, the “Back at One” vocalists claimed he cut them off financially after they refused to get jobs.
In 2020, Briana sued him for defamation after his allegations that she was promiscuous and had an improper relationship with a cousin when she was a minor. They privately settled that situation in 2023, according to RadarOnline.
He welcomed his youngest son, Brian Kainoa Makoa Jr., in 2023. He then changed his name to Brian Kainoa Makoa McKnight Sr., taking his youngest son’s name instead of his firstborn’s.
He even went so far as to say online that his four older biological kids were “products of sin” and “evil.”
His son Niko died at the age of 32 from cancer last year in May following accusations that his dad didn’t make amends, nor did he tell Niko he loved him.
In response, McKnight filed a defamation lawsuit in April this year against Brian Jr., Julie McKnight, and media figures like Marc Lamont Hill and Tasha K, as well as outlets such as the New York Post. He accused them all of spreading the false narrative that he was an absent father.
He’s seeking unspecified damages and claims what’s being said about his parenthood is a lie that negatively impacts his reputation and career.
Fans shared their reaction to the lawsuit online.
One person said, “Defamation? Really? His actions speak for themselves. He’s a very thoughtless, hurtful man and has shown his true character.”
Another wrote, “This (clown emoji) again? I was a big Brian McKnight fan, until I realized what type of person he is.
A third individual said, “Brian McKnight really wrote an all-time R&B song about his ex-wife with the lyrics ‘first time I looked into your eyes I saw heaven’ then said he couldnt love the kids they had cause they were made in sin.”
His ex-wife Julie McKnight has fought him in court over various allegations, which she recently referenced online.
“There is ongoing litigation involving claims brought against me in North Carolina and Georgia, and I am responding through the appropriate legal process,” she captioned a Sept. 2 Instagram post.
She said she and Brian Jr. will continue supporting each other and moving “forward with dignity and care.”
“There is a difference between choosing not ot engange publically adn having nothing to say.”
She adamantly stated she has no intention of engaging publicly further.
“For now, I’m allowing the work to happen where it belongs: in the courtroom, on the record, and through proper legal channels,” Julie wrote.
McKnight’s ex-wife is also fighting another battle outside of her ex-husband. She is currently fighting endometrial cancer and has set up a GoFundMe to help her raise $25,000 after stepping away from her work in the classroom to focus on treatments.
These days, Brian Jr. focuses on being a dad to his 4-year-old daughter, Iyla, and his music. He recently shared that his song “You’ll Be Mine” was played in an episode of this past season’s “Love Island USA.”
