fantasia barrino surprised as husband re-proposes with 11-carat ring; father calls gesture 'fake'

During a Valentine’s Day performance in Houston on Feb. 14 (ET), Kendall Taylor surprised his wife, singer Fantasia Barrino, by re-proposing with an 11-carat diamond. The moment, warm and theatrical, has since been met with praise from fans and sharp criticism from Fantasia’s father, who publicly labeled the stunt a sham and raised allegations of missing funds on Feb. 15 (ET).

On-stage proposal honors 11 years together

What began as a concert set turned into a personal milestone when Taylor walked onstage and addressed the crowd about the life he and Fantasia have shared for more than a decade. He framed the moment as a formal ask he never made the first time around, reminding the audience that the couple married shortly after meeting in 2015 and that there was never an official proposal.

In emotional remarks, Taylor told the audience, “For 11 years, for many anniversaries, for many birthdays, Valentine’s, I shared my angel with you… So give me some grace and share my wife back with me. ” He explained he wanted to “make something right” and insisted that while “a good woman desires a proposal, ” “a Godly woman, she deserves one. ”

The onstage gesture concluded with Taylor kneeling and replacing Fantasia’s original ring with a new 11-carat diamond. The singer’s visible shock and the audience’s roaring approval underscored the theatrical, romantic intent of the moment. Fans and observers also noted the couple’s unconventional origin: they married three weeks after meeting, held a private ceremony on a yacht in North Carolina, and have built a blended family together, welcoming daughter Keziah in 2021 after years of fertility struggles.

Father’s accusations transform celebration into controversy

Less than 24 hours after the proposal, Fantasia’s father, Joseph Barrino, publicly condemned the public spectacle and accused Taylor of financial misconduct. In a forceful message on Feb. 15 (ET), he called the moment “Fake Cry Bull Crap” and suggested the ring and public display were connected to efforts to cover alleged missing money tied to Fantasia’s finances.

In further comments, he said he had been told by a former member of Fantasia’s financial team that money was unaccounted for and that personnel changes followed those discoveries. He questioned why other staff were dismissed while Taylor remained in place, and said he felt compelled to raise the issue as a parent: “I would be less of a dad if I stayed silent, ” he said, warning that family members often suffer when financial irregularities are ignored.

The criticisms have introduced a turbulent note to what had appeared to be a widely celebrated anniversary gesture. The father’s statements also included a warning to those close to the singer and an assertion that his actions stem from concern rather than a desire to inflame.

Public moment, private tensions

The re-proposal highlighted both the couple’s decades-long bond and how family dynamics can complicate public life for high-profile performers. The moment on Feb. 14 (ET) showcased Taylor’s intent to acknowledge 11 years of partnership, parenthood and spiritual solidarity. The reaction from Fantasia’s father the following day made clear that, for some family members, the spectacle cannot be separated from unresolved questions about the singer’s business affairs.

At this stage the episode remains a mix of celebration and conflict playing out in public view. The proposal has renewed attention on the couple’s personal story — their rapid romance, blended family and public faith — while the accusations from inside the family have left fans and observers watching for how the couple will respond and whether additional details about the financial concerns will emerge.

Both the onstage proposal and the subsequent family dispute underscore the fragile boundary between private relationships and public performance in the lives of entertainers, especially when emotional milestones intersect with allegations that invite scrutiny and debate.