I’ve found another reality show to watch.  (I know, I know, deep sigh.)  Last week, TVOne premiered its new show “R&B Divas”, featuring 5 songtresses from the ’90s led by Faith Evans.  Unlike most shows that are now on and feature women of African descent, these women aren’t fighting each other.  They all get along, serve as a support system for each other, AND they actually have a talent.  I know…SHOCKER!!!  While everything seems to be peachy keen, there is one lady that bothers me,  KeKe Wyatt.

Some of you may know KeKe as the woman who stabbed her husband about 10 years ago, forgetting that she’s the woman with the dynamic voice singing with Avant on “My First Love”.  If you’ve watched this show, you know that KeKe is now re-married to pastor-in-training Micheal and is expecting her sixth child.  You also know that wherever KeKe is, Michael is sure to follow.  The turmoil that happened in her previous marriage has affected KeKe’s current relationship, and she went into detail last night.  Her first husband, while he was always gone and out of the house, lied to and cheated on her.  So to combat that, she forces Michael to go wherever she goes and to not have friends of his own.  And amid her claims of abuse from her first husband (she stabbed him in self-defense), KeKe exhibits abusive behavior towards her husband.  On last night’s episode, while at the fashion show for Nicci Gilbert’s fashion line, KeKe smacks Michael in the face after he says something with which she doesn’t agree.

Now, there are SO many things that need addressing, so I’ll attempt to be brief.  I feel that I have the right to use them as an example for a number of reasons.  One, they put themselves on national television to be viewed by millions of people.  Two, sometimes people need to see something in living color to fully comprehend what may be going on in their own lives. Now, I’ve talked about abuse before and it being something that Black people don’t talk about.  KeKe is abusive towards her husband.  Yep, I said it.  She’s emotionally abusive.  He’s not allowed (I hate using that word for grown people) to have friends, and he’s not allowed to go anywhere without her.  KeKe went off on last night’s episode when a woman came into the studio and stood “too close” to her husband.  And we’ve seen her be physically abusive towards him with the slap in the face.  Some of you may think that’s no big deal, but isn’t that how physical brutality starts-with something small until it escalates?

KeKe’s insecurities have lead her to act this way.  The truly sad thing is that they are teaching this behavior to their children.  KeKe definitely should have sought therapy after her first marriage so she wouldn’t bring these feelings of doubt, fear, and control to her current relationship.  And I’m sure Michael loves her, that’s why he allows himself to be treated this way.  But when he completes his theological degree, what church is going to hire him as pastor?  I made mention on Facebook last night that I would not want to be a member of his church because he follows his wife, not the Lord.

Yes, the other women make suggestions about KeKe hanging out with them without Michael, but she’s not having it.  They either have to have them both, or she won’t come around.  With KeKe keeping a leash on Michael, the very thing that she is trying to avoid could happen.  He could leave her.

I hope this show serves as a mirror for KeKe, and she can see how unhealthy this type of controlling relationship is.  And I hope she can change her ways.  And would you believe she’s only 30???  (Yeah, I think that’s totally wrong).  To any one reading this that is in this type of relationship, I implore you to make strides to get out and seek help.  Until next time, I’m just a Southern girl…in the city.

Related articles

• Faith Evans on ‘R&B Divas,’ Whitney Houston (theroot.com)
• Meet TVOne’s “R&B Divas” [FULL EPISODE] (myhoustonmajic.com)