What Happened to Kehlani Ashley Parrish?
Kehlani, an American singer, songwriter, and dancer, rose to prominence after her start with the group PopLyfe on America's Got Talent. She has since built a successful solo career with critically acclaimed mixtapes and studio albums, culminating in significant recognition and her first Grammy Awards in 2026 for her hit single "Folded," and is set to release her self-titled fifth studio album on April 24, 2026.
Quick Answer
Kehlani has continued to thrive in the music industry, achieving significant milestones in 2025 and 2026. Her single "Folded" became a major hit, earning her two Grammy Awards for Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song in February 2026. She also won R&B Song of the Year at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards. Kehlani is currently preparing for the release of her highly anticipated self-titled fifth studio album, "Kehlani," on April 24, 2026, and has released the single "Back and Forth" on April 10, 2026. She is also scheduled for several performances and festival appearances throughout 2026.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
America's Got Talent with PopLyfe
Kehlani, as lead vocalist of PopLyfe, competed on the sixth season of America's Got Talent, finishing in fourth place.
Release of 'Cloud 19'
Kehlani released her debut solo mixtape, 'Cloud 19,' which received critical acclaim and marked the beginning of her solo career.
Release of 'You Should Be Here'
Her second mixtape, 'You Should Be Here,' was released, earning a Grammy Award nomination for Best Urban Contemporary Album.
Debut Album 'SweetSexySavage' Released
Kehlani released her debut studio album, 'SweetSexySavage,' which peaked at number three on the Billboard 200.
Birth of Daughter Adeya Nomi
Kehlani welcomed her daughter, Adeya Nomi Parrish Young-White.
Release of 'It Was Good Until It Wasn't'
Kehlani's second studio album, 'It Was Good Until It Wasn't,' debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200.
Release of 'Blue Water Road'
Her third studio album, 'Blue Water Road,' was released, featuring collaborations with artists like Justin Bieber.
Brief Marriage to Mariel Gomerez
Kehlani briefly married A&R and music executive Mariel Gomerez, with the marriage annulled three months later.
Release of 'Crash'
Kehlani released her fourth studio album, 'Crash,' which peaked at number 25 on the Billboard 200.
Release of "Folded" Single
Kehlani released the single "Folded," which became a significant hit, peaking at number six on the Billboard Hot 100.
Confirms Relationship with Kwn & Gains Full Custody
Kehlani confirmed her relationship with British singer Kwn and secured full custody of her daughter Adeya after a custody battle.
Wins Two Grammy Awards
Kehlani won her first two Grammy Awards for Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song for "Folded" at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards. She also used her acceptance speech to make a statement against ICE.
Wins R&B Song of the Year at iHeartRadio Music Awards
Kehlani won R&B Song of the Year for "Folded" at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards, where she also performed the hit single.
Release of "Back and Forth" Single
Kehlani released "Back and Forth" as the third single from her upcoming self-titled album.
Upcoming Self-Titled Album Release
Kehlani is scheduled to release her fifth studio album, 'Kehlani,' on her birthday, featuring collaborations with several notable artists.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Kehlani Ashley Parrish, born on April 24, 1995, in Oakland, California, began her musical journey as the lead vocalist for the teen pop group PopLyfe. The group gained national attention by finishing fourth on the sixth season of America's Got Talent in 2011. After departing from PopLyfe, Kehlani embarked on a solo career, self-releasing her debut mixtape, 'Cloud 19,' in 2014, which garnered critical acclaim. This was followed by 'You Should Be Here' in 2015, which earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Urban Contemporary Album, solidifying her status as an emerging R&B artist.
Signing with Atlantic Records, Kehlani released her debut studio album, 'SweetSexySavage,' in 2017, which peaked at number three on the Billboard 200. She continued to release successful projects, including 'It Was Good Until It Wasn't' (2020), which reached number two on the Billboard 200, and 'Blue Water Road' (2022). Her career saw further development with the release of 'Crash' and 'While We Wait 2' in 2024.
The period of 2025-2026 marked a significant peak in Kehlani's career. On June 11, 2025, she released the single "Folded," which became a breakout hit, peaking at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 and accumulating over 800 million global streams. This success led to her first two Grammy Awards at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards in February 2026, where she won Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song for "Folded." She also received the R&B Song of the Year award at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards.
Beyond her musical achievements, Kehlani has been open about her personal life and activism. She welcomed her daughter, Adeya Nomi, in 2019. After a brief marriage to music executive Mariel Gomerez in 2024, which was annulled, Kehlani confirmed a relationship with British singer Kwn in October 2025. She secured full custody of her daughter in late 2025 after a challenging custody battle. Kehlani is also a vocal advocate for social and political causes, notably expressing support for Palestine and strong opposition to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), even using her Grammy acceptance speech in 2026 to make a statement against ICE.
As of April 10, 2026, Kehlani is poised for another major release. Her self-titled fifth studio album, "Kehlani," is scheduled to drop on her birthday, April 24, 2026, featuring collaborations with artists like Clipse, Brandy Norwood, Usher, Keri Hilson, Tank, and Missy Elliott. The album has been supported by singles "Folded," "Out the Window" (released November 7, 2025), and "Back and Forth" (released April 10, 2026). She has several tour dates and festival appearances lined up for 2026, including The Roots Picnic and Osheaga.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Kehlani Ashley Parrish made different choices?