Singer Kelis, 29, is due to give birth later this month to her first child with estranged husband Nas. Kelis has some hit singles under her belt, including “Milkshake,” and seems like she should be ok financially, but she claims through a lawyer that she’s broke and depends on whatever Nas gives her. Nas, 35, is a successful rapper and is swimming in dough but allegedly refuses to pay Kelis, who filed for divorce in April, a dime. He filed a motion with the court in May to deny Kelis spousal support. Many of you pointed out in the comments that he didn’t specifically object to child support, but doesn’t feel he should pay spousal support.
Now Kelis is ramping up the court battle ahead of the birth of their child. She is asking for spousal support, child support, birthing expenses, money for a nurse, and $20k in baby goods. I was with her until she threw in the $20k for a stroller and baby accessories. Can’t she have a baby shower and get some of that stuff as gifts? She doesn’t need designer stuff for a little baby. Kelis goes on to say that she’s used to living an expensive lifestyle and should be able to continue to squander money once her child is born:
Kelis claims estranged hubby Nas has left her high and dry … not offering her a penny in the wake of her impending birth … and she says she’s broke — “I have run out of money.”
Kelis filed legal papers claiming Nas isn’t paying her support, pre-natal expenses — nothing, even though she claims he is filthy rich.
Kelis is asking the judge to order Nas to pay spousal support, child support, all pregnancy-related expenses, and one-half of all medical expenses after the child is born. She also wants $3,500 for the baby nurse after the child’s birth, and $20,000 for strollers, cribs and other baby supplies.
Kelis says, “My survival is based on [Nas’] will at this time. If he does not want to pay for an expense, it does not get paid.” The couple was married in 2003. The baby is due this month.
Kelis says she’s entitled to maintain the lifestyle to which she became accustomed during their marriage — they have five homes, fly first class, go to fancy restaurants, and on and on. Most interesting — “There were many expensive pieces [of jewelry] such as a princess-cut diamond tennis bracelet that was recently appraised for $190,000. My engagement ring is an approximately nine-carat cushion-cut diamond solitaire. I have numerous watches…such as Cartier, Rolex, Frank Muller and Chopard.”
Her lawyer, disso-queen Laura Wasser, says in a separate declaration she’s asked Nas to ante up some $$$ for Kelis and the unborn baby but he hasn’t responded.
[From TMZ]
So Kelis admits in her court documents that she has all that jewelry, but still says she’s broke. It doesn’t seem to occur to her to sell her diamonds and high end watches to make ends meet until her ex coughs up some support. She has a single bracelet that’s worth $190,000. Most people don’t see that type of money in years. Nas should absolutely support his child and help ensure that his baby is cared for, but to ask for $20,000 worth of baby goods and to say she’s entitled to it is over the top. No wonder Kelis is broke if she spends money like that.
Nas and Kelis are shown on 2/10/08 and 8/21/06. Credit: PRPhotos
She better start putting stuff on “layaway,” because I don’t think she’s going to get any money from that jerk until after the baby comes!
She’s gotten used to the “diva” lifestyle but failed to realized that the only reason she’s living that lifestyle is because of Nas’s pockets. SHE was the one that wants to get a divorce, but yet she feels entitled to still live that good lifestyle? I’m all for the child support, but the way she spends her money, I’m pretty sure the 20,000 isn’t going to all go on the child. She’ll probably splurge on herself as well. Welcome to the real world hun. Once the sugar daddy is gone, so is the lifestyle. She’s coming off like a leaching gold digger and Nas knows it.
Good God! What kind of baby is this that it needs 20 grand worth of stuff!!
If you are broke and obviously not working,what do you need a baby nurse for? Get up and deal with the baby yourself.
Unfortunately, Nas will be forced to pay her a huge amount of money in child support that she will probably spend getting her nails done.
Hey Kelis I have some advice for you GET A JOB!!!! You haven’t had a hit single since who knows when, I believe there was only 1 of them. GET A JOB! Just because you had 1 hit song doesn’t mean you get to be lazy and live others the rest of your life.
Wow, where is the compassion??
To all you ignorant folks, how is a 8 month pregnant woman supposed to go out and get a job?? Plus she’s a SINGER!! She can’t tour right now.
Seriously, her a**hole husband has 5 HOUSES and he can’t help his pregnant wife with their expenses? Come on. You all know that’s wrong.
If you bothered to put to cents together, perhaps she’s relaying on Nas for money since they are MARRIED and may have put their money in a joint account. Since he’s being an immature twit its very plausible that he CUT OFF HER ACCESS TO THEIR BANK ACCOUNT.
Geez, you all are some quick to call women gold diggers. However, when it’s a black woman you don’t view as a person and the HATE comes out so much worse.
Tell me, if this was a white woman who was being treated so horribly by her husband would you all be so quick to judge? Or would you sympathize with her because she looks like you??
I AM a black woman and I STILL say she better STILL put some stuff on “layaway” for her impending baby…GOD BLESS THE CHILD THAT HAS IT’S OWN!
Are you kidding me? Totally playing into the stereo type.
Go ahead and sign up for WIC and Section 8 housing next. Way to go lady, you are really setting an excellent example for young kids. Role model extraordinaire.
@ Roni:
What makes you think that she isn’t doing this already?
They had lots of money coming in and it’s clear Nas is using it to punish her for the divorce. For whatever reason she doesn’t have access to the money anymore and is asking him to provide what he should proportionate to their income. Where is the crime in that?
And also, if you can’t see the racist undertones to commentary across the internet on this story then it must be nice to live a colorblind world. A word of advice though, if someone tries to sell you the Brooklyn Bridge remember that it’s not for sale.
@ Melissa:
“Are you kidding me? Totally playing into the stereo type.
Go ahead and sign up for WIC and Section 8 housing next. Way to go lady, you are really setting an excellent example for young kids. Role model extraordinaire.”
I fail to see the analogy. A women is asking her husband for spousal support and child support for the unborn baby. It is her right. She is asking the man to be accountable and responsible.
I don’t see where her applying for public assistance would be a better example for “the children”.
I HOPE you are NOT talking to me, MS. Melissa, when I had my daughter, I WAS in the US AIR FORCE (fighting the War on Terror 2001-2004)and I wasn’t on ANY kind of government assistance! WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG with putting stuff on “layaway???” PLEASE tell me because YOU are paying it with your OWN money…just at a LATER TIME!
@ Iggles…sorry but the woman can be black, white, asian, puerto rican, yellow, blue, I don’t care. This isn’t a race thing, so stop trying to pull the race card out. She’s admitted to having THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS of dollars worth of jewelry. Does she have the sense to sell them to support herself? Hell no, because she wants to keep the jewelry and have Nas fork out all the loot. She wants to still look good! She’s ignorant and a gold digger!
@ Princess Jay:
“@ Iggles…sorry but the woman can be black, white, asian, puerto rican, yellow, blue, I don’t care. This isn’t a race thing, so stop trying to pull the race card out.”
It is incredibly offensive when people say “pull the race card”, like there’s some magical card black people have that grants us affirmative actions privileges and immunity. THERE ISN’T A RACE CARD.
There are definitely issues when bringing up race is relevant. That’s not pulling the race card.
I have noticed a disturbing trend in the way black women are treated in the media. The widespread condemnation and ridicule of Kelis is just another example. The issues that this woman is dealing with and the horrible actions of this her husband are ignored in favor of labeling her a gold digger. I think its because people are quick to associate black women with the gold digger stereotype. That is what I am calling out.
It’s like the media phenomenon of “this missing white woman”. There are thousands of women of color who go missing every year. However, it is RARE if not UNHEARD OF that ANY of these cases get the same about of concern as Natalie Holloway. Tragedy is tragedy all around. But it is unfair that people care about SOME cases while casually ignoring others when the victim is a person of color.
So what does this have to do with Kelis? She is being made into a stereotype instead of an individual. This is not the first site where I read such harsh commentary on this case. I do think if she was white people would regard her as an individual first before making snap judgments.
Now I already stated why is it implausible to ask a woman about to give birth to find a job. I’d like to also add that she’ll require a nanny to get back into the studio.
Also, how do we know she isn’t pawning her jewelry? I still think it’s fair for him to provide financial support.
Nas was cheating and treated her like crap, she should take his sorry behind to the cleaners. She shouldn’t have to sell everything just to take care of herself. People were cheering when Mel’s wife left saying that she should get half. Whats different with Kelis ?
Thanks Lenora!!! Exactly.
Iggles, you DID pull the race card. Your words…
“Geez, you all are some quick to call women gold diggers. However, when it’s a black woman you don’t view as a person and the HATE comes out so much worse.
Tell me, if this was a white woman who was being treated so horribly by her husband would you all be so quick to judge? Or would you sympathize with her because she looks like you??”
NO ONE on this thread said anything about her race until YOU did. And implying that people’s opinions would be different if her skin color were different is THE DEFINITION of playing the race card. yes, there ARE issues where bringing up race is relevant, but this isn’t one of them.
She may be 8 months pregnant NOW, but what’s she been doing to earn money up to this point? you pointed out that she’s a singer…why isn’t she producing music? because she’s been depending on HIS income. it’s not like she gave up her life to support him, put him thru med school or anything like that. she chose to live off of HIS money instead of earning her own.
I think this case isn’t so clear cut. Perhaps she put her career on hold to support her husband, they were married for 7 years… He should be paying some kind of spousal support until she gets her feet back on the ground. He cheated on her while she was pregnant as well so really… I think he has some responsibility to provide for her for a while.
Roni- Iggles: I was not attacking you in the least.
I too am a black woman.
I get so tired of this trend of having a baby with a man you know is not going to stay around.
It’s this whole attitude of give me something for free that is going around with our youth today that I’m talking about.
Any animal can reproduce. Humans are supposed to be the more intelligent of the animals.
Doesn’t seem that way when we all seem to stick our hands out for EBT cards, welfare, having children not for love but as a way to keep money rolling in.
The “way to go” was for her NOT being a role model to young people of the world.
Is that clearer?
There are needy people and there are people who just take advantage.
@ HUH?
I’m not sure you understood what I wrote. I know reading comprehension is tricky for some these days.
I wrote:
“It is incredibly offensive when people say “pull the race card”, like there’s some magical card black people have that grants us affirmative actions privileges and immunity. THERE ISN’T A RACE CARD.
There are definitely issues when bringing up race is relevant. That’s not pulling the race card.”
Why are you accusing me of playing cards when I argued that it doesn’t exist? It’s just a way for people to avoid race and attempt to shame their adversary.
I did bring up that Kelis is a black women. And I did ask, would she have been instantly judged as stereotype if she was white? People glossed over the facts of her specific situation. THAT is treating her like she’s NOT an individual. That is why I brought up race because in 2009 there still is truth to the question, “Do you think we all look alike?”
For example, Chris Brown hung out with a black female rapper and she was reported to be Rihanna because they both wore sunglasses indoors. It’s ridiculous yet the media reported as truth!
@ Melissa:
“I get so tired of this trend of having a baby with a man you know is not going to stay around.”
I agree with the sentiment of that statement, however..
Kelis and Nas are MARRIED. He wasn’t just her baby’s daddy. They pledged to spend the rest of their lives together.
It is apples and oranges. She isn’t some side chick having a kid for child support. She is his WIFE. He deserves to pay up and support her. Not for her entire life, but like DD said – for awhile.
I see that no one told Robin to go and get in the WIC line when Mel cheated on her. Everyone was saying how she should get half blah blah. Why is it that Kelis who has been dogged and treated much worse than Robin is only asking for a handout? Did no one see the pics of Nas in a hotel with at least 6 groupies drunk off his ass? I hate it when people always spout off about stuff they don’t know about and always revert back to being racist. At least Mel is helping Robin while Nas has not paid a cent. Why is Kelis a goldigger and begging for a handout but Robin has everyone support?
I hear what you guys are saying about how it’s a double standard to call out Kelis for having nice things and wanting a decent settlement when everyone is saying Mel’s wife deserves half. Kelis has one kid and was married to Nas for four years. Mel Gibson’s wife Robyn has seven kids by him and was married to him for 28 years. If Robyn said in court papers that she has 200k bracelets and high end watch I would absolutely say she should sell those until a settlement came through. What’s more is that I do think Kelis deserves half of Nas’ earnings – while they were married. The $20k worth of baby stuff and the excessive jewelry are what made me take that stance on this story, but I really understand what you’re saying about how she still deserves a fair shake. I agree with you.
“Why are you accusing me of playing cards when I argued that it doesn’t exist? It’s just a way for people to avoid race and attempt to shame their adversary.”
YOU say it doesn’t exist…I think there are a lot of people who would disagree, and I’m one of them. seems you have trouble with general comprehension of reality. as in, just because YOU claim something as true, does NOT make it true.
playing the race card is the exact opposite of avoiding someone race…it’s bringing attention to it and making it the focal point of one’s defense. which you did by saying “you wouldn’t feel this way if it were a white woman”.
and whatever you may think of yourself, you DID play the race card in your post.
I have to agree that I’m on Kelis’ side on this. Spousal support and child support are NOT outrageous demands to make. The lawyers will iron out the details, and his stance that he’ll pay her nothing surely will not stand. I don’t understand other women who so vehemently want Kelis to get nothing. There are a lot of women out there who dislike other women. I must say, though, that it was foolish for Kelis to bring up her hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of jewelry while at the same time asking for financial support. It’s like asking for a raise at work while bragging about your lavish lifestyle. Tactical error, anyone?
I think she has the right to ask for child support, but for their baby and not for her expensive ways of living. Just because you’re married with someone, that doesn’t mean that he has to support you till the last day of his life. Get some respect, build your career, earn your own money and do not depend of a man who has cheated on you several times before, cause sooner or later you gonna pay for it.
Ps- I’m a woman, but i dont dislike women, even if they are black, asian, white or purple. I just think that we (women) have to have some self-respect.
I agree 100% with Iggles. Truth of the matter is; race card, gas card, credit card, call it whatever the hell you want to but it is being used to the fullest. The case is Kelis IS his wife, she put her career on hold which a lot of women do for the husbands even when they are not as successful and she is having his child. Whether you believe it or not or try to make a case for Nas’s side is irrelevant. He is going to HAVE to grow the hell up, be a man for once, and take care of his responsibilities. Point is, Kelis is 100% ENTITLED to live the same life that she had when she married. Of course she will not have the same income (yes I say she because when you are MARRIED… his money is her money and vice versa). But since there is a baby in the picture now, he will HAVE to and SHOULD have to provide a lifestyle for Kelis and THEIR child that was very similar to what they had before their divorce. Stop talking about her being a damn gold digger and start looking at the pledges that they made to each other that was completely broken when Nas decided to sleep with multiple women during his marriage. I don’t hear anyone talking about Nas and his infidelity, but when money becomes involved that A WIFE is entitled to, we want to jump down her throat for asking for financial help for her child. Get your priorities straight people!