Gladys Knight may be gearing up for the second leg of the critically acclaimed ‘Queens Tour‘ alongside fellow R&B legends Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan, and Stephanie Mills, but – if complaints from her family are to be believed – she may not be doing so willingly.
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In a story first reported by our friends at TSR, Shanga A. Hankerson – Gladys’ son with ex-husband and Blackground Records exec Barry Hankerson – filed a formal complaint with a North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to accuse the R&B diva’s current husband, William McDowell, of elder abuse.
Married to Knight since 2001, McDowell reportedly handles many of her business affairs.
While chatting with TSR, Shanga expressed concern for Gladys’ overall well-being after asserting she’s coping with cognitive decline – even alleging there have been times she “can’t form complete sentences or coherent thoughts.”
His statement follows reviews from a number of ‘Queens Tour’ attendees who reported the 81-year-old songstress appeared confused during some performances, forgot lyrics, and had to have background singers stand in for her.
Shanga – who was once sued by his mother after being charged with willful failure to remit payroll taxes for his restaurant Gladys Knight’s Chicken and Waffles restaurant in Atlanta – says the only reason she’s touring is because her husband is forcing her to.
“The direction she’s going in is pushing her to a [worldly] departure, and I don’t want to see that,” he said after alleging McDowell sees him as a “threat” and is trying to push him out of Knight’s life.
While admitting his relationship with his mom was strained after the lawsuit, Shanga contends he has no ill will for the ‘Queens’ outing and is only worried about her health.
“I’m extremely concerned about how she’s being handled right now,” he said before relaying. “I don’t care about anybody saying I’m sabotaging [her tour]. I could care less. Am I sabotaging it? Absolutely! Because I don’t want my mom out on tour on a tour bus wondering where she’s at. That’s my mom; I truly love her and don’t care about her working a second longer while she’s alive.”
At writing, Knight nor McDowell has issued a statement in response to Shanga’s shocking claims.
Its no secret Gladys is getting older and yes she does forget the lyrics. But one thing she has never lost is her voice. She has lost weight and has gotten a little slower but that comes with age. This is nothing new that’s why she doesn’t do television or interviews any more. She is loved by many and let her bow out gracefully. She loves what she does she has been singing since she was 4 years old.
He’s a scammer period
So he Aaliyah cousin?
Yh. Shangas dad Barry, is Aaliyah’s mothers brother.
What’s newww
It’s a black issue! 🙁
so I’m guessing he took after his scammer dad… no one gets to exploit mama but him. smh I just hope Ms Knight is being treated with the care she deserves and wish the tour success
Patti’s lessor….
I feel that it’s greed coming from her husband by wanting her to continue touring. She should be enjoying her best life at her age and taking it easy. Her husband should be taking care of her instead of forcing her to carry on touring.