Brian McKnight is currently trending on Twitter, but not for his vocal abilities or musical talents.
The cause of the buzz is centered on a birthday message he posted four months ago for his (step)daughter Julie.
The 53-year-old artist is facing significant backlash for the post, in which he is pictured alongside Julie, whom he affectionately calls “Jules,” posing with the BMW she received as a birthday gift.
The caption reads:
Today we celebrate you Jules on your birthday your mom and I couldn’t be prouder of you and I couldn’t ask for a better daughter than you!!!
Happy birthday to the best daughter ever! Love u a zillion.
View this post on Instagram
The tweet that started the ball rolling called him out for not acknowledging his children from his previous relationship.
Brian McKnight is a nasty soul. How awful is this caption? You literally already have a daughter. A black one. pic.twitter.com/9YyQPaOpX0
— miss janay (@selfiegoddesss) April 29, 2023
and
Omg why did y’all make me just deep dive how trash Brian McKnight is I’m sick!
— fragrance and foolishness (@Brieyonce) April 29, 2023
To be clear Brian McKnight has been married twice and has 6 children.
With his ex-wife Julie McKnight:
Brian McKnight Jr.
Niko McKnight
Jordan McKnight
With his wife Leilani Malia Mendoza:
Brianna McKnight
Jett McKnight
In January, the couple welcomed a baby boy, Brian Kainoa Makoa McKnight.
Twitter reactions have been heavy:
I just learned that Brian McKnight named his newborn Brian McKnight. He has an adult son named Brian McKnight Jr. This man is diabolical. pic.twitter.com/OntJNzJvIP
— Chloe (@TheMegaChloe) April 29, 2023
and
Brian McKnight when someone asks him about his black kids : pic.twitter.com/qDvf83fZ2u
— Briana. (@_BrianaJay) April 29, 2023
and
This what Brian McKnight said about his sons being upset when he never mentions them. pic.twitter.com/DO35SzSt3c
— Art Mom (@WESTCOASTSUMA) April 29, 2023
and
This what Brian McKnight said about his sons being upset when he never mentions them. pic.twitter.com/DO35SzSt3c
— Art Mom (@WESTCOASTSUMA) April 29, 2023
and
Brian McKnight is not good dad. He only claims his current wife’s kids. It’s giving anti-black too because of course you wanna claim the mixed children
— The Neighborhood Publicist (@nhoodpublicist) April 29, 2023
And then there is this resurfaced tweet from Brian McKnight Jr. in 2019, addressing his relationship with his father.
Brian Mcknight’s son explains his relationship with his father pic.twitter.com/mf5oKy2XuM
— Baller Alert ? (@balleralert) August 16, 2019