Brian McKnight has legally changed his name to match his infant son’s name as part of his “legacy” but fans were shocked by the change since his oldest son is also named Brian McKnight Jr.
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On Saturday, the singer announced on Instagram that he legally changed his name to “Brian Kainoa Makoa McKnight Sr.” to exactly match his nine-month-old son’s name. The news was announced with the cover of his latest album, McKnighttime Lullabies, which includes a photo of his infant son, as reported by TOO FAB. “🤍🤍🤍 So proud to introduce our son🤍BRIAN KAINOA MAKOA JR. 🤍 to the world with the release of my new album lovingly created for him. JR. because I am also proud to officially announce that I have legally changed my name to exactly match my legacy’s. My legal name is now BRIAN KAINOA MAKOA MCKNIGHT SR,” he wrote in the caption. Back in January, McKnight announced he and his wife, Julia Mendoza, had welcomed a baby boy but didn’t reveal his name.
However, McKnight’s oldest son, Brian McKnight Jr., was not surprised by his estranged father changing his name and told fans to pray for him. “I’m not ashamed of the name my ancestors had. I’ll never change the name my own son now has. We are witnessing an obscene level of self hate, that has reached mental illness status at this point,” he wrote under a fan’s comment.
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“All we can do is pray for that man, and my new little brother who we will all welcome with open arms one day, once he realizes who his real family is. Legacy isn’t in the name. It’s in the character of the people. It will all be quite clear soon, just who’s on the right side of all this, because there’s no escaping what’s coming.”
The singer has faced criticism on social media for his estranged relationships with his children, McKnight Jr., Niko, Clyde, and Briana, from his previous marriage with ex-wife Julia McKnight. McKnight also said he is the father of Mendonza’s children, Julia, Jack, Kekoa Matteo, and Brian Kainoa Makoa.
“There’s taking the low road then there’s Brian McKnight who is way far below that! Some people should never be allowed to be a parent and that’s him!,” one user wrote.
“Just wondering, does Brian McKnight really be doing all these toxic weird things to taunt his kids and his wife just goes, “Great idea babe”? She really just as trash as he is in this f*ckery.”