Veteran crooner Brian McKnight is expecting another baby with his second wife, Dr. Leilani Mendoza. The 53-year-old singer announced the news on Instagram on Thursday.
The Buffalo, New York native, shared a photo of him and his wife on a beach as the sun set behind them. The proud papa’s hand rested gingerly on her growing baby bump. He wrote, “We are ECSTATIC to finally announce BABY MCKNIGHT is coming soon!!!!!!! 🤍🤍🤍To my beautiful wife, you are my everything, my hero, my reason for living. I’m so in love with you, baby ♥️♥️♥️.”
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McKnight turned off the comments on the celebratory post. The “Back At One” singer also shared another photo of the couple sharing a kiss.
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The “Anytime” singer married Leilani in December 2017. Video footage of their nuptials captured McKnight in tears as his bride came down the aisle. He shared the video on their fourth wedding anniversary.
“My love, on this day four years ago, you stood beside me and in front of our family, our friends, God, and the whole wide world, and made me the happiest and luckiest man who ever lived by saying I do and becoming my wife. I still pinch myself every day because I married the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, my dream woman, the greatest woman who ever lived. From the day we met, I knew you were my soulmate.”
“You are the only one I’ve ever desired, wanted, needed, lusted for, and loved, the only one that was made just for me and me for you, and I’m so thankful that you’re mine, and I’m yours forever. ❤️❤️❤️,” he added. “Every moment we’ve spent has been pure bliss, the next moment even greater than the moment before! You are my heart. You are my soul, my muse, my lover, my best friend, my everything. You are my life, my only reason to live, and I am forever and ever in love with you. Happy Anniversary, Mrs. McKnight.”
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In May, Leilani and Brian lost a son, Kekoa Matteo. He shared the loss on social media, calling him a “gift from God.”
“Today would have been your due date, you birthday was to be on Mother’s Day ❤️
Since we were last able to hold you, these past few months without you here with us have been the deepest pain of our lives. Our hearts ache for you every day Kekoa. We love and miss you so much.
We named you Kekoa Matteo because it means brave warrior, gift from GOD.”
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Black Twitter reamed the “One Last Cry” singer, accusing him of erasing his four Black children with his ex-wife Julie.
Brian McKnight not claiming his Black kids is insane. pic.twitter.com/eZ41VY2Bfk
— Tamantha 👸🏾 (@Tamantha_5) May 10, 2022
He even took a dig at the other kids in his recent IG post about losing the baby…smdh pic.twitter.com/aktSQByhp6
— Janet Jacket (because it’s chilly outside) (@IamCarmenS) May 10, 2022
Guess he was referring to his Black children when he said “If ever I believe my work is done, then I’ll start back at one”
— Since 1984™️ (@tahoe7teen) May 10, 2022
Despite what happen as a father no matter what it is to not claim your kids you brought into this world is crazy.Ain’t no way thats just sad and crazy regardless if he addressed it how he went about it and then the bio just foul.Shouldnt stop claiming your kids for any situation
— Mr.Electrifying🦹🏾♂️⚡️ (@electrifying_mr) June 19, 2022
What a shame and a disgrace.
— Shawn Williams (@shawniedw2) May 10, 2022
In September, McKnight celebrated his stepson Jack’s birthday in Italy. He left the young man a touching message on Instagram.
“My son Jackboy today you are no longer a teenager; you are 20 😃 Do not look at this as getting older. This is a gift, the pathway that’s leading you to be the perfect man that your mom and I have raised you to be. I say perfect because you are perfect, and I could not have asked for a better legacy, father to son, than you.”
“I cannot wait to see the joy that you bring to life and that life brings to you. We’ve taken you all over the world to let you know that everything that’s out there is yours for the taking, so take it– it yours! Happy birthday, my boy. I love you,” McKnight wrote.
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The singer has been displaying his new family all over the Gram. Last Thanksgiving, he posted a photo of himself, Leilani and his two stepchildren. The 53-year-old doted on the trio, writing, “Happy Thanksgiving from the McKnights! This year is extra special because this is the first time since Jack is home since he left for college and the entire family is together. Happy holidays from all of us to all of you!!!”
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McKnight was previously married to his college sweetheart, Julie, from 1990 to 2003. He is estranged from his four adult children who came out of that union.
In February 2021, his son, Brian McKinght, Jr., accused his father of abandoning him and his other siblings–Briana, Clyde and Niko. It’s not the first time he publicly blasted his dad.
“When it comes to my father. The proof is in the pudding,” McKnight Jr. wrote in a now-deleted Instagram post. “If there are still people out there wasting their breath putting us down for speaking our truth, challenge them to question how they think they know our father better than us? Lol, you know his body of work; we came from his actual nuts.”
McKnight responded to the claim in 2019, calling it “crazy.” He also explained that he always paid child support and that he had taken care of his sons even as adults. He also said that he and Leilani supported and encouraged them. McKnight reiterated that his sons were “estranged” and not abandoned.
“It’s crazy to me that people will just believe anything. It was important to let you guys know and set the record straight. These kids are 30 and 27, not 12. It’s time for grown men to be grown men, and I’m sorry that tough love happens to be this way, and I do wish them the best. As far as my daughter is concerned, she was a part of this family, too, with Jack, Julia, Leilani and myself.”
We hope that the family can heal, and congratulations on the new baby!
