Gladys Knight Refutes Elder Abuse Claims Amid Son’s Allegations
In a swirling public dispute, legendary singer Gladys Knight, 81, has issued a firm statement refuting claims of elder abuse made by her son, Shanga Hankerson. The “Empress of Soul” assured her fans that she is “healthy and happy” despite Hankerson’s allegations of mental and financial abuse against her husband, William McDowell, which also prompted a complaint with North Carolina authorities.
Knight, a titan of music for “three quarters of a century,” is currently a headliner on “The Queens Tour” alongside fellow icons Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, and Stephanie Mills. Since its launch in May, the tour has seen Knight perform, with an additional 11 shows scheduled from September through December. However, her son, 49-year-old Shanga Hankerson, voiced significant concern to PEOPLE, asserting that his mother’s demanding performance schedule is “detrimental” to her well-being and primarily driven by her husband.
“I’m sorry that my health and performances have been misrepresented,” Knight stated to PEOPLE. “I want my fans and those concerned to rest assured I am doing very well for someone who has been on stage for three quarters of a century, hard to believe, right? I’m healthy and happy and visiting friends and family these last few months. I’m excited to get back on the road with my sisters and on stage with The Queens Tour. See you soon.”
Hankerson, however, paints a starkly different picture of his mother’s condition. While acknowledging she has not explicitly expressed a desire to cease performing, he believes she is “on cruise control.” He cited specific instances, including a distressing episode this past New Year’s when Knight allegedly did not recognize him for 45 minutes. He also recounted to The Shade Room a prior incident where she reportedly wandered away from their hotel and ended up “across town.” Hankerson alleges McDowell has subjected his mother to both “mental and financial” abuse, questioning, “Why is she working? Why is she in this situation where she’s being made to believe that she has to work like this?”
The concerned son confirmed that he filed a complaint with the Department of Human Services in Buncombe County, North Carolina, earlier this month. Case workers reportedly visited Knight’s home for an assessment the very next day, with the case currently ongoing. A spokesperson for the department has yet to comment on the matter.
Laura Herlovich, Knight’s publicist, strongly countered Hankerson’s claims, expressing that Knight and her team are “greatly saddened by Shanga’s unfounded allegations,” asserting that he “has had no substantial contact with her.” Herlovich emphasized Knight’s break from touring since June 1, expressing her eagerness to resume in September. The publicist also indicated that “our lawyers have no choice but to explore any and all legal remedies due to Shanga’s defamatory comments.”
Hankerson vehemently denies being out of contact, labeling Herlovich’s statement as “inaccurate.” He claims he has been “purposefully kept in a position of having minimal access” to his mother, and insists that her “deterioration has occurred over a period of years, and is very evident.”
This familial dispute is not the first for Hankerson, who is Knight’s son from her marriage to music executive Barry Hankerson. In 2017, Knight successfully won a legal battle against him, preventing him from using her name, likeness, and memorabilia for his “Gladys Knight’s Chicken & Waffles” restaurant chain, as reported by the Associated Press. Further, Hankerson was sentenced to two years in prison in 2021 for failing to withhold payroll taxes for the same restaurants.
Despite his past legal entanglements and current professional role as a registered behavior therapist, Hankerson maintains his motivation is purely his mother’s welfare. “This has nothing to do with money for me,” he declared. “I’m trying to get her to stop working.” He indicated his willingness to pursue legal action against McDowell if he has the “proper foundation.”
