R&B singer Brian McKnight learned a hard lesson about how personal controversies can impact one’s career.
His upcoming concert at Detroit’s MotorCity Casino Hotel was abruptly canceled, seemingly due to backlash over his estranged relationship with his older biological children.
While no official reason was provided for the cancellation, many believe it was directly related to McKnight’s recent disparaging comments about his older kids from a previous relationship.
The 54-year-old referred to them as “products of sin” and changed his surname to include “Sr.” for his younger son with his current wife, drawing ire from former fans.
When the Detroit show was initially announced on Facebook, the comments section was filled with criticism over McKnight’s treatment of his older children. Many voiced their unwillingness to attend, with one commenter bluntly stating, “Wouldn’t even go for free.”
After news broke of the cancellation, social media users poked fun at the singer, cleverly incorporating lyrics from his own hit songs.
One tweeted, “Welp. He’s gotta start back at one…” in reference to his chart-topper “One Last Cry.” Another meme-response played on “Anytime” by asking, “Do I ever cross yo-” implying he had crossed a line.
The incident serves as a reminder that while artistic talent is important, public perception also heavily influences an entertainer’s success. McKnight’s alienation of a significant portion of his fanbase over his personal matters appears to have directly impacted his ability to book performances.