What Happened to Kehlani Ashley Parrish?

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 exposure in 2011, finishing fourth on America's Got Talent. Following her departure from the group, Kehlani embarked on a solo career, independently releasing her critically acclaimed mixtapes 'Cloud 19' in 2014 and 'You Should Be Here' in 2015. The latter earned her a Grammy nomination for Best Urban Contemporary Album, solidifying her status as a rising R&B star.

After signing with Atlantic Records, Kehlani released her debut studio album, 'SweetSexySavage,' in January 2017, which peaked at number three on the Billboard 200. This was followed by the mixtape 'While We Wait' in February 2019, which featured collaborations with artists like Ty Dolla $ign and peaked at number nine on the Billboard 200. In May 2020, she released her second studio album, 'It Was Good Until It Wasn't,' which debuted at number two on the Billboard 200, marking her highest-charting album to date. Her third studio album, 'Blue Water Road,' released in April 2022, continued to showcase her evolving sound and received critical acclaim.

2024 was a prolific year for Kehlani, seeing the release of her fourth studio album, 'Crash,' on June 21, which included guest appearances from Jill Scott and Young Miko. Just two months later, on August 28, she dropped her fourth mixtape, 'While We Wait 2,' a sequel to her 2019 project, featuring artists such as Lucky Daye and Vince Staples. In her personal life, Kehlani's marriage to A&R executive Mariel Gomerez was annulled in 2024, citing fraud and infidelity. She has been open about her non-binary identity, preferring 'she/they' pronouns, and is a mother to her daughter, Adeya Nomi, born in 2019.

The year 2025 brought significant milestones with the release of her single "Folded" in June, which became a breakout hit, reaching number six on the Billboard Hot 100 and garnering widespread praise. This success was followed by another single, "Out The Window," released in November 2025. Kehlani also confirmed a new relationship with British singer and rapper Kwn in October 2025.

As of early 2026, Kehlani's career continues to ascend. At the 68th Annual Grammy Awards in February 2026, "Folded" won both Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song, marking a significant achievement in her career. She has been actively touring, with dates scheduled throughout 2025 and into 2026, including appearances at festivals like Lollapalooza India and Essence Music Festival. Most recently, in early March 2026, Kehlani confirmed that her highly anticipated fifth studio album is complete. The album, expected in Spring 2026, is teased to feature a host of collaborations, including the iconic hip-hop duo Clipse, and R&B legends Brandy and Usher, signaling a new and exciting chapter for the artist.