What is Santeria aka La Regla De Ocha? Kehlani's religion explored in the wake of her baby daddy's 'cult' accusations

Singer and songwriter Kehlani’s baby daddy Javaughn Young-White filed for the full custody of their 5-year-old daughter Adeya Nomi Parrish on July 24 in a Los Angeles court. Young-White, who is a professional guitarist, has claimed in his court documents that the Cloud 19 songstress is part of a "cult", as per the documents obtained by TMZ.

"Adeya was born through a home birth orchestrated by what I would describe as a cult that she belongs in. Due to the fact that Adeya was born in a home and not in a conventional setting like a hospital, my name is not on Adeya's birth certificate," the legal papers read.

Javaughn has further alleged that despite repeated requests to add his name to their daughter’s birth certificate over the years, Kehlani has reportedly turned him down. He also claimed that the religious group Kehlani is a member of “controls” her “actions and behavior” including matters related to the “upbringing of our daughter.”

Notably, Kehlani has been a practitioner of the African diasporic religion La Regla de Ocha (The Order of the Orichas), also known as Santeria since 2020.

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All you need to know about Kehlani’s religious beliefs

During an August 2022 interview with Bust Magazine, Kehlani who uses she/ they pronouns, shared how she was raised a Christian but began exploring other religions when her grandmother who regularly took her to the church passed away, finally finding Santeria in 2020.

“I’m in a religion called La Regla de Ocha. The more recognized term for it is Santeria. The African term is Lucumí. It’s a really gorgeous religion that I didn’t seek out, but it sought me,” she mentioned back then.

The former America's Got Talent contestant further went on to add:

“I was told upon arrival that I was headed towards a really young death in a couple of different ways—whether it be that I called it upon myself, or as a result of the environment I was in, or just things that have been chasing me my whole life. My life was saved by some really incredible elders.”

The After Hours singer noted how her “spirit-led” life helped her to focus more on her music and other creative sides. Later, during a January 2023 appearance on the Impaulsive with Logan Paul podcast, the 29-year-old Californian doubled down on her previous statements and observed that she is a “very religious person” just not a Christian.

“I’m [in] an Afro-Cuban religion… A very emphasis on spiritual hygiene and like spiritual cleanliness that’s actually like a process… like I have actual things that I do when I’m feeling unwell, not just prayer,” Kehlani shared.

The former PopLyfe member explained that Santeria is “monotheistic” adding that there is not just a God but also “all these pantheons… of saints.”

“Originally from West Africa, eventually brought to Cuba… when it was created… this original West African tradition with Catholicism that was forced onto the slaves… Birthed out of secrecy and survival,” the Grammy nominee explained about her religion.

She also mentioned how to this day, La Regla de Ocha is used to “save people's lives, change people's lives, heal them, aid them, bring them out of struggles, comfort them… all things that people go to religion for.”

As per Study.com, Santeria translates to “Way of the Saints” or “Devotion to the Saints” and was founded in Cuba by the Yoruba people in the 19th century. It combines aspects of both their West African faith as well as Catholicism.

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Exploring Javaughn Young-White’s allegations against Kehlani

In July 2024, Kehlani’s former partner and baby daddy Javaughn Young-White filed for the full custody of their daughter Adeya. He claimed that Kehlani refuses to provide him with their daughter’s social security number, expressing doubts about whether she has one.

Besides, Young-White has claimed that the “cult leader” manipulated the Crash singer into believing that he was a “danger” to their daughter. As a result, Kehlani has prevented Javaughn from seeing Adeya for the last few months and reportedly leaves her behind with “random strangers” including the “cult leader” and other members.

The guitarist has claimed that several members of the group have assault and drug abuse allegations against them, making him concerned of their daughter’s safety. He added how he tried to raise them with Kehlani, but she reportedly did not listen to him and instead denigrated him online. Javaughn also accused Santeria members of physically restraining and threatening him for trying to meet his daughter.

Currently, Young-White is demanding that his paternity rights be established and he be given complete legal and physical custody of their daughter alongside the addition of his surname. He has also requested child support from the Blue Water Road singer.

The former couple was in a year-long relationship from 2018 until Adeya was born in March 2019.