Brian McKnight has a complicated relationship with his children. He has been estranged from his eldest children from his first marriage for years while proudly parenting a young son and two stepkids with his wife, Leilani McKnight. He was slammed on social media for seemingly disowning some of his family members in April of 2024, referring to them as a “product of sin.” He explained in a video during a Q&A session that in order to live a life that you love, you have to get rid of negativity, even if it is related to you.
Brian McKnight Jr. and Niko McKnight are his sons from his first marriage to Julie McKnight. Brian Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps and is a musician. He also has children of his own, often sharing sweet tributes to them on social media. Niko, who works as a photographer in Los Angeles, has had public disagreements with his father online, claiming he was abandoned by him. He responded strongly to his father’s comments about him being a “product of sin” and expressed love for him despite their issues.
Briana McKnight, Brian’s daughter from a previous relationship, made headlines when she took her father to court in 2020, suing him for defamation. The lawsuit was settled before it went to trial, and Brian leaked court documents in a 2023 Instagram post, revealing that he agreed to pay Briana over $250,000. Brian has reportedly changed his will to reflect that reconciliation with Briana is no longer an option. Clyde McKnight, Brian’s son from a previous relationship, is pursuing a career in the music industry and has shared throwback pictures with his father.
Brian became a stepfather when he married Leilani in December 2017, thanking her daughter Julia for making him a “girl dad” in 2020. He also praised Leilani’s son Jack, who graduated high school in 2021, calling him his “legacy.” Leilani suffered a pregnancy loss in May 2022, naming the late infant Kekoa. They celebrated his life in an Instagram post, with Brian expressing how difficult it was for them and acknowledging his presence in their lives. Their rainbow baby named Brian Jr. was born in January 2023, prompting the singer to change his name to Brian Kainoa Makoa McKnight Sr. in honor of his newborn son.
Brian McKnight’s family dynamics are complex, with estrangements, legal battles, and public disputes marking his relationship with certain members of his family. While he is actively involved in his younger children’s lives, there seem to be unresolved issues with his adult children from previous relationships. Despite the challenges, Brian continues to navigate the complexities of fatherhood and blended family dynamics while striving for positivity and growth in his personal relationships.
