In a defiant response to accusations leveled by her father, R&B singer Fantasia Barrino shared a celebratory video of her husband, Kendall Taylor, on social media Wednesday, hours after Joseph Barrino publicly questioned Taylor’s financial dealings and motives.
The dispute erupted following a Valentine’s Day concert in Houston where Taylor re-proposed to Barrino with an 11-carat ring. Joseph Barrino subsequently labeled the gesture “Fake Cry Bull Crap” in a series of Facebook posts and videos, alleging the proposal was a cover for financial impropriety. He claimed a former member of Barrino’s financial team raised concerns about undocumented expenses attributed to Taylor, suggesting the ring was purchased with “missing money.”
Fantasia Barrino responded by posting a screenshot of her father’s 2024 mugshot – stemming from a domestic violence arrest – alongside a caption that reportedly redefined their relationship, though the post has since been deleted.
Kendall Taylor, CEO of Salute 1st and president of Barrino’s company Rock Soul, addressed the allegations in a 17-minute video of his own. According to reports, Taylor detailed his accomplishments and financial stability prior to his marriage to Fantasia, emphasizing his contributions to her career and their joint ventures. He stated that he and Fantasia married in secrecy in 2014, followed by a more public ceremony in 2015, because he did not want their wedding to become a “performance.” Taylor also revealed that Joseph Barrino had repeatedly requested financial assistance, including a $3,500 request at one point.
Taylor further asserted that Fantasia was in a precarious financial situation when they met, describing a period of “brown bagging and stealing” due to her inability to afford basic necessities. He detailed his efforts to stabilize her finances and support her career.
The public feud follows eleven years of marriage for the couple. Joseph Barrino has admitted to limited contact with Taylor since the wedding, and has never met his grandchildren. He has repeatedly framed his public statements as an attempt to protect his daughter, stating in a Facebook Live video, “If she don’t talk to me because I’m trying to help her, that’s God, she gon have to deal with God for that.”
As of Thursday, neither Fantasia Barrino nor Kendall Taylor have issued further public statements. Joseph Barrino’s Facebook page remains active, but does not contain any recent posts addressing the matter.
