Keyshia Cole Lets It Be Known She's Not Her 23-Year-Old Boyfriend's "Elder"

BY Erika Marie 64.6K Views
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Keyshia Cole, Niko Khalé
Nick Cannon may want to switch up his words.

She may be 15 years older than her beau Niko Khalé, but don't go around calling Keyshia Cole his "elder." The R&B singer has been happily in love with Niko for some time now and the couple recently welcomed their son into the world. There have been plenty of people who have shared snide remarks about their age difference, but it hasn't deterred the couple from moving forward.

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Keyshia and Niko sat down with Nick Cannon on his Power 106 show Nick Cannon Mornings to talk about music, reality television, and their relationship. Keyshia shared the best piece of advice that she's ever received ("Buy your properties!"), admitted her greatest fear ("That we don't have any control over this planet"), shared the worst advice she's ever received ("Go ahead and punch her in the face"), and listed her top five favorite R&B artists ("Faith Evans, Brandy, Monica, Mary J. Blige, Whitney Houston").

Things took a minor turn when Nick asked Niko about dating "royalty" and said he knew what it was like, referencing his previous marriage to Mariah Carey who is 11 years older than him. While speaking, Nick called Keyshia Niko's "elder," and she was quick to snap back. "I am not a f*ckin' elder!" she retorted. "I am not his f*ckin' elder. No. Mariah's your elder. I am not his elder." 

They were able to laugh about it, but Nick did go on to say that Mariah helped to "mold and shape" him into a better man. Watch the interview below.


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

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