History of Kehlani in Timeline

Kehlani Ashley Parrish is an American singer, songwriter, and dancer. They gained initial recognition as a member of the pop group PopLyfe. After departing from the group, Kehlani independently released the mixtapes Cloud 19 (2014) and You Should Be Here (2015), both achieving critical acclaim and gold certifications from the RIAA. You Should Be Here also marked Kehlani's debut on the US Billboard 200 and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Urban Contemporary Album.

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Full Timeline

August 2017: Receiving a Māori Tattoo

In August 2017, during their travels to Australia, Kehlani received a "Kirituhi", a Māori tattoo, from a New Zealand artist in Sydney, Australia. The tattoo represents their family, guidance, and strength through adversity.

January 5, 2018: Cover-Up of 'Woke' Hand Tattoo

On January 5, 2018, Kehlani posted a photo to Instagram showing that their hand tattoo of the word "woke" had been covered up with a lotus flower; they stated that they felt that their "hand would speak for [them] before [they] even got a chance to open [their] mouth".

April 2018: Public Statement on Sexuality

In April 2018, Kehlani publicly stated on Twitter that they are queer, not bisexual or straight. They expressed attraction to women, men, queer men, non-binary people, intersex people, and trans people, referring to themselves as "lil poly pansexual".

April 2019: Statement on Non-Binary Identity

In an April 2019 interview with Diva, Kehlani stated they are "definitely on the non-binary scale" despite preferring "she" pronouns.

December 2020: Pronoun Update on Twitter

In December 2020, Kehlani updated their pronouns on Twitter to "she/they".

2020: Spiritual Detox, Farm Purchase, Relationship, and Religious Practice

In 2020, Kehlani underwent a spiritual detox after breaking up with YG. They also bought a farm in Simi Valley, California, and began a relationship with 070 Shake. Furthermore, in 2020, Kehlani began practicing La Regla de Ocha, an African diasporic religion.

2021: Preference for 'They' Pronouns

In 2021, Kehlani stated their preference for "they" over "she" pronouns in an interview with Byrdie Magazine, noting that "something feels really affirming when people say they", and that "it feels like you really see me".

2021: Announcement of Identifying as Lesbian

In early 2021, during a livestream, Kehlani announced that they identify as a lesbian, after having publicly identified as queer and pansexual in the past.

October 2023: Signing of Artists Against Apartheid Open Letter

In October 2023, Kehlani demonstrated solidarity with Palestine during the Gaza war and signed the Artists Against Apartheid open letter.

November 2023: Signing of Ceasefire Open Letter

In November 2023, Kehlani signed an open letter calling for a ceasefire and an end to the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip.

May 27, 2024: Criticism of Musicians' Silence on Gaza Conflict

On May 27, 2024, Kehlani criticized fellow musicians on Instagram for remaining silent about the Gaza-Israel conflict in Palestine. They also demonstrated their support for Gaza in the “Next 2 U” music video, which features a poem by a Palestinian American writer and a Palestinian flag in the background.

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2024: Brief Marriage and Annulment

In 2024, Kehlani was briefly married to Mariel Gomerez, an A&R and music executive. However, their marriage ended after three months when Gomerez filed for an annulment, citing fraud and infidelity.

2024: Release of 'Next 2 U' Merchandise to Aid Families in Need

In 2024, alongside the release of their single "Next 2 U", Kehlani unveiled merchandise created by Palestinian Nöl Collective founder Yasmeen Mjalli. All proceeds from the merchandise sales went towards assisting Palestinian, Congolese, and Sudanese families, collaborating with Operation Olive Branch.

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April 2025: Cancellation of Cornell University Performance

In April 2025, Kehlani's scheduled performance at Cornell University's annual Slope Day was canceled by university president Michael Kotlikoff because of their support for Palestine. Kotlikoff claimed that Kehlani had "espoused antisemitic, anti-Israel sentiments. Kehlani responded on Instagram, denying antisemitism and affirming their stance against genocide.

May 2025: Cancellation of New York Concert

In May 2025, another scheduled Kehlani concert in New York was canceled after pressure from New York City mayor Eric Adams citing "security concerns." The free concert had been scheduled to take place on June 26 at SummerStage as part of Pride events taking place in the city.