According to BlackAmericaWeb.com, Kelis claims she cannot live on her average monthly income of $21,616 -- money she has earned herself through her own means. Her solution to this problem? Why, hit up her ex for money as they go through divorce proceedings. As proof of her need for additional funds, the funky pop star has listed her monthly expenses as $80,831, including:
$14,861... Mortgage
$3,500... Nanny
$15,000... Entertainment, gifts and vacations
$20,000... Strollers, cribs and other baby supplies
$175... Having the "baby rug dry cleaned"
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I am a little confused. The baby has not been born yet, for one, so some of those expenses seem a little trumped up. In addition, in terms of her mortgage and entertainment "budgets," she can do what she did before she married Nas, and spend less. I can understand her having become accustomed to a lavish lifestyle, but she is not entitled to Nas' money -- especially when she is a star in her own right and can get out there and earn money herself.
I understand that Kelis is having Nas' child. This entitles her to some compensation and support. But her now defunct marriage releases Nas from being her personal ATM machine for all eternity.
Kelis is not some trophy wife. Until her marriage, she was an independent woman who made her own name -- and her own cash. Now is the time for Kelis to re-establish her financial independence as a first step towards demonstrating her emotional separation from Nas. Rather than seeking money from him, Kelis can show that she is capable of making it through her own creativity.
Kelis is quoted on TMZ as stating: "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." What a sad situation to be in. Many women fall into the trap of marrying a man with more money and status, while letting their own earning power wane. Then, if the marriage fails, their quality of life can be significantly reduced. Kelis needs to use this moment to refuse to let that happen. Rather than going to Nas for a hand out, she can represent for the strong, expressive women out there -- and take a lesson from Kimora who established her own brand identity apart from Russell Simmons.
Kelis -- don't sit back and wait to be taken care of. Take this experience and transform it into an opportunity to show that you are as talented, capable and fierce as you have previously proven yourself to be.
Readers -- should Kelis just move on, or should Nas pay up? Leave your thoughts below!
Talk about it on the Black Voices message boards!
Comments: (77)
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By: roroyaboat on 6/23/2009 8:38PM
Why is everyone bashing Kelis for wanting what she knows/feels she is worth! Her request is typical of someone who has been married to someone w/ mean$.If she wants her former spouse to provide for her child to the utmost of his ability then she has the right to request that regardless of what she brought to the table and what she is taking off!
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By: Roz on 6/23/2009 3:38PM
Point taken. She SHOULD request child support. All I am saying is that she should have some means for herself. What if the support order is held up in court for a number of months or years (I have seen it happen)? What if he does not give her enough money to maintain while they are waiting for the support order to be finalized (I have seen this happen as well)? What if he loses all of his money (i.e. Dame Dash)? I just feel like you should NEVER put yourself in a position to depend solely on anyone. Always have resources. Too many things can go wrong!!!
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By: Jazz on 6/24/2009 1:08PM
heres thing about divorce, you go your way, i go mine. if that is what she feel like she is worth, maybe she should try earning it. its not like she helped him build his wealth. she got in on the top floor. women like her is why these folks be droppin them from boats or they be found OD'd somewhere. for 81K a month, i know someone can be found that will bump her a$$ off for about 5K or 10K. and thats not a reoccuring bill.
people like her make women look bad. i feel sorry for my daughters that women like her pave the way for them.
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By: dee172 on 6/24/2009 5:14PM
it would have been nice if the request were for the child and it's welfare, but they are for her to maintain a life style that she apparently does not want to do with out. Everyone must remember that the baby is not even here yet.
She will not get that much for herself anyway, they have not even been married for 10 years. She should be reasonable because money does not last forever. She will have to take care of herself.
I'm not judging her, but she should be careful
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By: Leah on 6/26/2009 8:18PM
Kelis should be ashamed of herself,making us real women look bad...the only person Nas should have to care for is that child...fool...and he has that chick tattoo on him...lol!
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By: midwest on 6/30/2009 5:27PM
I agree! She is definitely due the monetary assistance from NAS. If she was blonde and blue eyed, we would not be having this conversation.
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By: Roz on 6/23/2009 1:34PM
I think she should move on. I am sure there will be a child support settlement. But Kelis should definately go back to work and make another album. She should probably sell the house and get something more affordable. I feel that BOTH parents have a responsibilty to care for their children. Care should NOT be the responsibilty of just one parent. It took them both to make the baby, so both of them should care for him/her!!! I hate when men become dead beat dads, but I really hate when women sit idly by and depend on men to take care of them. If you want to be a housewife, that's cool. But make sure you have skills and education just in case you have to go to work (not for divorce only, but death, illness, layoffs, etc).
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By: Bobby on 6/23/2009 3:51PM
Maybe she needs to sell some more milk shakes...seeing as they bring all the boys to the yard and such.
14,800/mo mortgage...move to a more modest house.
20,000/mo for baby stroller, crib, and supplie?...what are you wrapping the baby in gold lined diapers? Is that a pure gold crib? get real lady....more like $200/mo and that's generous.
15,000 for Entertainment, gifts, and vacations? That's all on your own dime.
It were up to me...you get $10,000/mo....period. And that's being extremely generous and thought full...now if you put your kids in a good private school...Nas will have to pay half the tuition and expenses for that.
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By: RICHARD on 6/24/2009 3:28PM
$4000.00 TOPS. GO GET A JOB LADY, THE HONEYMOON IS OVER. AND BESIDES, NO MAN OR WOMAN IS WORTH ANY MORE THAN THAT. BUT, HEY, WHEN YOU MAKE A LOT OF MONEY, THERE SHOULD ALWAYS BE A PRENEPTIAL, THE WAY TOM CRUISE DID IT. MARRYING, WHEN A PERSON IS RICH AND THE OTHER IS NOT, IS ALWAYS RISKY BUSINESS. LADY YOU ARE RIDICULOUS.
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By: kcn9971 on 6/23/2009 7:12PM
Parasites exsist on all financial levels. Sometimes there is no difference between a woman on welfare waiting for the Government to take care of her, or a non-skilled housewife begging her rich husband to finance a lifestyle she herself could never attain. Nas is responsible for his children; Not some grown azz healthy woman who has a "daddy" complex. I hate to break the news to you Kelis, but when the marriage ends...the lifestyle ends!!!Get your rusty butt out there and sell some records and maybe you won't have to depend on Nas....go shake your "milkshake"!!!!
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