Houston officials are facing mounting criticism after announcing that R&B singer Brian McKnight will headline the city’s annual holiday concert, “Deck the Hall: The Mayor’s Holiday Tree Lighting & Concert,” scheduled for December 6 at City Hall.
McKnight, a 17-time Grammy nominee known for classics like “Back at One” and “Anytime,” is slated to perform alongside the Ernest Walker Band, according to The Houston Chronicle.
The event, hosted by Mayor John Whitmire, will include the ceremonial tree lighting, fireworks, snow over Hermann Square, and a Winter Wonderland Kids Zone. The show begins at 4 p.m., with McKnight expected to perform at 6 p.m.
However, since the announcement, the city has faced heavy backlash online, with residents questioning the decision to book McKnight amid ongoing controversies surrounding his family and public image.
Houston City Council member Tiffany D. Thomas was among the first to respond, writing on X, “Brian McKnight? Hard pass.”
Other Houstonians voiced similar objections. Food influencer Erika Harrison posted, “Now who down at the city thought Brian McKnight was a good option for a holiday event?! He is an AWFUL person,” while political commentator Shea Smith called him “the literal worst person in the R&B world.”
The backlash stems from McKnight’s ongoing disputes with his older children and his ex-wife, Julie McKnight. In 2024, the singer drew widespread outrage after referring to his estranged children as “products of sin” and “evil” in a social media post.
He later changed his legal name to Brian Kainoa Makoa McKnight Sr. to match his youngest son with his current wife, Leilani Mendoza, despite already having an adult son named Brian McKnight Jr.
The controversy deepened earlier this month when McKnight publicly celebrated an $8.8 million default judgment in a defamation lawsuit against Julie McKnight over statements made in her memoir.
He posted about the judgment on what would have been his late son Niko’s 33rd birthday, leading to sharp criticism online. Court filings show that the case remains unresolved—Julie McKnight has moved to vacate the judgment, claiming she was never formally served and that the proof of service is fraudulent.
Public criticism of McKnight’s personal conduct has already led to several event cancellations. Previously, Claflin University, a South Carolina HBCU, withdrew him from its Presidential Scholarship Gala after receiving similar complaints from students and alumni.
Despite the backlash, Houston officials have not indicated any plans to remove McKnight from the lineup. Mayor Whitmire is still expected to lead the countdown to the tree lighting, which marks the official start of the city’s holiday festivities.