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Kenneth Petty serves as Nicki Minaj‘s youth paramour transitioned into a spouse, yet their connection isn’t without its complications. Kenneth has faced numerous legal entanglements, notably having to register as a convicted sex offender more than twenty years after his conviction for attempted rape, which led to a four-year prison sentence. Reportedly, Megan Thee Stallion made an apparent jab at Kenneth’s history in her song, “HISS,” using the lyric “Megan’s Law,” referring to the requirement that all U.S. states maintain accessible sex offender registries.
“These women aren’t upset with Megan, they’re upset with Megan’s Law,” Megan delivers in a verse. “I’m not sure what the issue is, but I promise you don’t want me to begin / You’re a coward, never prepared to confront me.”
In spite of Kenneth’s controversies, Nicki has been supportive of her spouse, although she did speak openly regarding their marriage problems and the challenges they encountered following their son’s birth in her Vogue cover story from December 2023.
“I’m not going to sugarcoat it; things became strained between us,” Nicki admitted in the conversation. “Because of what we’ve been through, I believe we were confident we’d overcome it. However, assurance in parenthood doesn’t exist.”
Continue reading to find out further information regarding Kenneth and his bond with Nicki down below.
When Did Nicki Minaj & Kenneth Petty Tie The Knot?
Kenneth and Nicki secretly wedded in October of 2019, which she revealed to astonished fans through Instagram. The Queen Radio personality shared an endearing Instagram video showcasing their nuptial items, such as “Mr. & Mrs.” coffee cups and snapbacks emblazoned with “bride and groom”. A pair of towering, shimmering stilettos, presumably worn by the rapper as she promised herself to her partner, were next to the table. With the simple caption, “Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty 10•21•19” (her complete married surname) and bride and groom emojis, along with prayer hands and tears, she followed the October 21 update.
How Did Nicki Minaj & Kenneth Petty First Connect?
Kenneth and Nicki are actually former juvenile lovers, having begun dating when Nicki reached the age of sixteen. They instantly fell in love. Nicki has disclosed in the past that Kenneth was even one of her “first loves.” They eventually lost contact with each other for years, but rekindled their feelings as adults. Nick tweeted concerning her fondness for Kenneth when the two procured their marriage license in 2019. Nicki stated, “He won’t even mention the term ‘Nicki’. Since I turned 15, he has referred to me as Onika, so it’s tough to alter that.” “Because I’m about to wed my true love, I wouldn’t go out with anyone. The issue, though, was that others are obsessed with Nicki Minaj; he DGAF about this business and is fiercely protective.”
Nicki Minaj & Kenneth Petty’s Offspring
In July 2020, Nicki revealed her pregnancy through an impressive Instagram photoshoot showcasing her complete, exposed baby bump. Nicki lovingly embraced her baby bulge in the images, sporting a bejeweled bikini and sizable platform stilettos. Nicki naturally selected a variety of brightly colored wigs for the maternity photoshoot, too. She merely wrote “#Preggers” as the caption for the shocking post. That September, Nicki gave birth to her and Kenneth’s son and spent the following months raving about their utterly precious young bundle of joy.
Nicki and Kenneth haven’t revealed their son’s name yet but have nicknamed him “Papa Bear.” Due to his legal issues, which included a court-ordered curfew, there were worries that Kenneth wouldn’t be there when Nicki gave birth at Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles. Thus far, Nicki is “loving every minute” of motherhood.
What Was Kenneth Petty Found Guilty Of?
Kenneth is documented as a sex offender. He was found guilty of trying to rape a 16-year-old girl in the first degree in 1995 and spent time behind bars in a New York state prison for the offense. In the state, he was obliged to sign up as a sex offender. His legal issues came to the surface in 2018 when he and Nicki went public with their relationship. He ran into further problems in November 2019 after being pulled over for a traffic violation in Los Angeles.
Following the inspection of his driver’s license, the authorities discovered that he had not registered as a sex offender in the state of California—which was a stipulation of his sentencing. In March 2020, he was taken into custody, and he initially entered a not guilty plea to the accusations. Although the prosecutors wanted him to be placed under house arrest, he was instead compelled to wear an ankle monitor, abide by a curfew, and give up his passport. In addition, he was forbidden from using drugs, even marijuana, which is permitted for recreational purposes in California, or leaving Southern California.
Kenneth entered a guilty plea in September 2021 to the one count of failing to register as a sex offender charge, seemingly reaching a plea bargain. His sentence was delivered on July 6, 2022. Although it was initially reported that he could spend up to ten years in prison, his punishment was three years of probation and one year of home confinement, as verified to Hollywood Life by a representative from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California. In addition, he had to pay a $55,000 fine.
Kenneth’s Conviction Is Linked To Nicki’s Defamation Lawsuit
Nicki initiated a defamation lawsuit in September 2022, accusing blogger Nosey Heaux (whose real name is Marley Green) of referring to her as a “cokehead” and making “disgusting” remarks about her young son. Nosey retaliated by claiming that the lawsuit was an act of retribution for her endorsement of Jennifer Hough, the woman who accused Kenneth of rape in 1994, for which he entered a guilty plea, was found guilty, and served four years in jail, according to The Cut. Hough also brought harassment charges against Nicki and Kenneth in 2022, but she later dropped the case.
Per the outlet, Nosey stated in an Instagram Live, “The reason for this is that I brought Jennifer Hough to the stage. Due to my public encouragement of Jennifer Hough to bring a harassment lawsuit against Nicki Minaj.” “Thus, this is how everything got going.”
Kenneth Made An Appearance In Two Of Nicki’s Musical Compositions
Kenneth, who goes by “Zoo” in the professional world, has been in a few steamy moments in a couple of his wife’s most well-known music videos. Find him in the “MEGATRON” and “Hot Girl Summer” spots, which are collaborations with Megan Thee Stallion. For Kenneth, who has stated in the past that he would like to become more active in the music industry in the future, it’s a wonderful opportunity.
Kenneth’s Academic History
Kenneth reportedly quit high school and has not sought any further schooling. His wife, Nicki, who attended LaGuardia High School in New York City alongside him, attended community college but did not graduate. She frequently urges her fans to maintain high scores and stay in school, and to never miss a class to attend one of her performances. Nicki admitted in a July 2019 Instagram Live that her “only regret in life is not attending college.”
What Is The Real Number Of Children That Kenneth Has?
That remains hazy. Besides his son with Nicki, it is claimed that Kenneth has five more children from prior relationships. As per MediaTakeOut, he is “said to be present in all of his children’s lives.”
Kenneth Was Raised In Queens, New York
Kenneth is originally a New Yorker who spent his formative years in Queens’ well-known Jamaica neighborhood. He is of the African-American race. Little is known about his family history before Nicki, but it is clear that they have formed one of their own. Only those two, and their charming young boy.