Brian McKnight’s personal controversies continue to spill over into his career.
The singer recently had to pull the plug on a concert, reportedly due to poor ticket sales linked to a boycott over his treatment of his family.
McKnight had been scheduled to perform in Detroit this past June, but the show was canceled after ticket sales failed to gain traction.
Additionally, an upcoming concert in Washington, D.C., is experiencing sluggish sales, with tickets now being offered at a discount on Groupon.
The pattern of canceled shows and dwindling ticket sales seems to be driven by a portion of his fan base, who are boycotting the singer in response to his strained relationship with his older children.
Brian McKnight’s strained relationship with his three eldest children has been a topic of public scrutiny in recent years, with the singer and his children openly discussing their issues.
In 2022, McKnight posted a tribute on social media mourning the loss of his infant son, where he commended his current wife for her strength during the difficult time.
However, the post sparked criticism as many fans and observers pointed out that he did not mention his three oldest children—Briana, Niko, and Brian McKnight Jr.—from his first marriage.
According to Vibe he said:
“For the very first time in my life I got to experience what it’s like to want to and plan to have a child made from love, and even though he was separated from us too soon I wouldn’t trade that gift you gave me for anything in the whole world,” the Grammy Award nominee wrote at the time.
“Our son will always be a part of us and live on in our hearts forever. I’ve never been prouder in my life than I am right now being the father to our three incredible children. It is your wonderful light that shines on us making us all better every day…”
Amid the backlash from his seeming abandonment of his children, McKnight accused his children, ex-wife, and others of painting a false narrative about their relationship, pointing out that his children are of adult age and that he’s no longer obligated to care for them financially.
McKnight received additional criticism after he assumed the name of his newborn son Brian Jr., despite already having a child with his name, while refusing to acknowledge any of his three children as his own.
Since then, McKnight’s ex-wife, son, and daughter have all publicly lashed out at the hitmaker after he labeled their births as being a “product of sin.”
