Singer/songwriter turned chef Kelis has finally broken her silence on her violent marriage with legendary rapper Nas and the current status of their custody battle.
RELATED: Nas Says Kelis Violated Custody Agreement Over Jewish Holiday
In an exclusive interview with Hollywood Unlocked CEO Jason Lee, the “Milkshake” singer got candid about what led to her divorcing the “Illmatic” rapper while she was pregnant with their son Knight.
“There was a lot of mental and physical abuse”, Kelis said.
Kelis also revealed why she has chosen to stay silent on their relationship. Since becoming a chef and launching her successful brand Bounty & Full, the mother of two has been busy living her best life with her husband and two sons, Knight, 8, and Sheperd, 2.
“I’m living my life. I’m cooking. I’m raising my kids and I’m very private.” the “Food” singer said.
Despite how happy Kelis is at home, her name remains in media headlines over her custody battle with Nas.
“His memory is definitely faulty. I’ve waited 9 years to say anything. I have never talked about this man. The amount of airing out that I could do and don’t do is what our kids will find out.” Kelis stated.
Kelis opened up about Nas’ drinking habits and how that began to take a toll on their relationship that was filled with “intense highs and lows”.
“We had really intense highs and really intense lows. It was never normal. An intense high would be when money was rolling in. But I was 22 when I met him. We were drinking a lot, getting high a lot. So when that comes down, it was bad.” said the chef and entrepreneur.
She then continued to describe what an “intense low” looked like.
“An intense low….we had a lot. It was really dark. A lot of drinking. A lot of mental and physical abuse and it got to the point where if I wasn’t pregnant, I might have stayed with him.” she stated.
“I was pregnant and it was a mess and I felt like I wasn’t going to bring a child into this.” said Kelis.
Jason then asked Kelis directly if Nas put his hands on her, to which she replied.
“Did he hit me?…..Mmm hmmm. Did I hit him back?…..Mmm hmmm.” said Kelis.
Kelis says it wasn’t until she saw the photo of Rihanna’s face following her domestic dispute with Chris Brown in February 2009 that made the singer decide it was time to walk away.
“When the Rihanna and Chris Brown pictures came out I thought about coming out because I also had bruises all over my body. But I didn’t say anything because I’m private. But seeing her the way she looked and then looking at myself… I felt embarrassed.” the 38-year-old singer stated.
Fast forward to 2018, and Kelis is opening up about what has become of their custody battle over their 8-year-old son Knight. She touched on Nas’ co-parenting skills and how he “shows up when there’s a photo opp”.
“A parent isn’t about showing up when you feel like it. You can’t not show up for months and then show up and try to make up your own [visitation] schedule.”
Kelis went on to call the iconic rapper a “fraud” before speaking directly to other women who have gone through, or are going through, similar battles.
“Women can’t be afraid to fight”. Kelis concluded.
RELATED: Nas And Kelis Agree To Share Joint Custody Of Their Son
With all that she has gone through, Kelis says she has absolutely had enough which is why she’s finally speaking out and making sure she can help other women in the same position.
Kelis also shared that she is an investor in The Jane Club, a work and community space with an emphasis on women and the working mother.
We reached out to Nas’ team for a response.
#PressPlay above for the full interview and take a look at Kelis and Nas during their marriage below.
🤔🤔THIS NOW!! Hmmmmm Timing of this is very sketchy. Now that Nas raked in 50 mill from doorbell deal and she want more money and he said she violated child custody order. Why almost a decade later?? 🤔🤔🤔 After the I hate you so much right now video, Where she depict domestic violence by killing her significant other. Girl 👋 bye! You should of said this years ago
To be fair, shooting a video isn’t different than acting in a movie. Plus she did that video when she only 18 or 19 years old, she in her late 30s now and a mother.
The movie is some one else work. Caught out there is hers. Her writing. And yeah, she did the video when she was 18 or 19. What the hell that got to do with the price of butter? 🤷🏾♂️🤷🏾♂️ So she crazy at 18 and 19 she not crazy now? Why not apply tht to Nas? The alleged assault was over a decade ago. He was crazy then, but not crazy now. Look… I take DV very serious, If Nas hit her, sure, he definitely need to be publicly shamed and condemned. But I can speak from personal experience. By being FALSELY accused TWO ✌🏿times. One case I was incarcerated with not one single piece of evidence and witnesses statements saying I did nothing wrong. Fees and almost cost me my job. I should not be sarcastic. Also I should not rush to judgement doubting her story. But I acknowledge prejudice, I could admit that based on my personal situation. It may not be right and fair. But it wasn’t to me
Right we can’t judge a situation if we’re not a part of it. I can’t judge yours either. I know what I’ve been through as well and how I would feel if people judged my personal life. That’s all there is to it. They’re human, only they know the truth and they have a young son in the middle–that’s all. Side note: You can act in film based on real life events or a music video. It’s all art.
The #MeToo money is bookoo
Yeah….she wants that”new doorbell 💰”😂😊
Funny but this was some airing out. I get they had a bad relationship but when you throw around abuse that’s a person’s rep on the line personally and professionally.
Can’t judge or side with either party not my situation to take sides. Have to question the timing of it all, it wreaks of vengeance and bitterness, this #metoo movement is the new money train, you can assassinate someone’s character straight up off of claims. Would hate to have my laundry televised like this.
Damn this shit is some reality TV for that ass didn’t see this plot line happening at all today. I still gotta here from Nas tho regardless of what she talking about. It’s been 10 yrs, 1 kid, and a bitter divorce later and now custody battle being played out on TMZ and now here. Look If they can eat a meal together then they can, for the kid, fix this old unsettled shit. It not healthy for anyone involved. I feel bad for her new husband he a real dude for stand in there. Most would of cracked once they heard who the ex was.
I can say Jason Lee got some click bait with this one major s/o to the homie.
9 years is a long time to stay quiet. It’s very obvious that she’s a personal person. And I’m sorry but if Nas owes back support and just received $40 mil that YES it’s time to pay back support. What’s sad is how people will say it’s bad timing. Regardless of when she said something somebody would have an issue and all those somebodies don’t make a damn difference including myself. Kelis keep taking care of your family.
I don’t believe her. I personally think she’s a liar and I personally know 37 dudes who entered her anally in a 2 year period.
She needs to get out of Nas’s pockets and go cook or get some concert money. Kelis is just a bitter ex spouse because her ex is more successful without her. Nas has completely erased her out of his life, restored his rights as a parent and stop fully supporting Kelis and her broke husband. This is a revenge tatic to go after Nas’s reputation and exploit him for pay. She is not a victim. Stop giving press to Gold Diggers. She wage a custody battle and lost the war.