Brian McKnight's Former Spouse Criticizes Singer for Denying to Express 'I Love You' to Their Terminally Ill Son, Niko

Julie McKnight, former spouse of Brian McKnight, has openly condemned the singer for not telling their terminally ill son, Niko, that he loved him. Their eldest son, Brian Jr., described the moment as one of the "coldest" and "most painful" experiences of his life, revealing his fathers refusal to show affection to his late brother.

The couple, who were married from 1990 to 2003, shared sons Brian Jr. and Niko, formally Cole Nikolas McKnight. Niko passed away at the age of 32 in May after a battle with cancer. Julie expressed deep sorrow over Brian's decision, emphasizing that such words should be given freely, especially to a child facing severe illness. She stated that Niko deserved these expressions of love during his final days, as he endured fear, pain, and uncertainty.

Julie highlighted the importance of parental affection during moments of vulnerability, stating, "There is nothing more heartbreaking than a child longing to hear their parent say those three simple words." She added that the absence of such expressions of love left a lasting impact, underlining how vital it is for parents to offer both verbal and emotional support.

Reflecting on the experience, Julie said it served as a powerful reminder of how dependent children are on parental love in their most fragile times. She concluded by urging all parents to recognize the significance of their words and presence, and the healing power of showing love.

Brian Jr. Speaks Out About Father's Refusal

Brian Jr. recently recounted his father's refusal to tell Niko he loved him during an interview with Marc Lamont Hill. He described the memory as extremely painful and disheartening. Brian Jr. revealed that he had warned Niko not to contact their father, knowing the outcome, but Niko called anyway. Moments later, Niko reached out to Brian Jr., crying and confirming that his fears were justified. "All my brother wanted was for our father to say he loved him," Brian Jr. said. Brian responded, "I can't arbitrarily say that I love you."

Brian McKnight has been largely estranged from his children since his divorce. In 2023, he legally changed his name to become a senior to his newborn son with his current wife, which reportedly further strained his relationship with Brian Jr.

Dispute Over Involvement in Niko's Care

Brian McKnight has claimed he attempted to assist Niko during his illness but was prevented by Julie, who allegedly warned him to stay away. Julie refuted these claims, calling them a false narrative and labeling him a liar.

Brian also has a daughter, Briana, with former partner Patricia Driver, and another son, Clyde, with an unidentified woman. Despite this, he publicly acknowledges only his children with his current wife, Leilani Mendoza, on social media.

Public Backlash Over Estrangement

Fans have criticized Brian for his estrangement and lack of involvement with his biological children. When confronted online about his decision to disown them, he defended his actions by referring to the children as the "product of sin" and rejecting biblical criticism, urging people to understand the full story before passing judgment.

Author: Olivia Parker