Key Takeaways
- Color Me Badd publicly backed Kevin Thornton’s daughter, Mikayla, and her siblings, while stressing that Kevin has not been part of the group since 2016 and has had no role in its touring, management, or business operations for the past decade.
- The group’s statement followed Mikayla’s Soft White Underbelly interview, where she alleged that Kevin ran their ultra-religious home like a cult, used a wooden “rod of correction” to beat his children, and fostered an environment of fear and control.
- Mikayla further claimed her parents ignored reports of her being sexually abused as a child, that her 14-year-old sister was assaulted by a former inmate Kevin met through church, and that her parents prayed she would be physically harmed to be “humbled,” while Kevin has yet to respond publicly.
Color Me Badd is putting distance between itself and Kevin Thornton after the former member's daughter accused him of horrific physical abuse and running their deeply religious household like a "cult." In a new statement, the group expressed support for Mikayla Thornton and her siblings while making one point unmistakably clear: Kevin hasn't been part of Color Me Badd for a decade.
"Color Me Badd is aware of the serious and deeply personal allegations recently brought forward concerning former member Kevin Thornton and members of his family," the group wrote on Instagram.
It also directly acknowledged Mikayla's decision to come forward: "We recognize the courage it takes for anyone to speak publicly about painful personal experiences. Our hearts are with Mikayla, her siblings, and all those affected by the circumstances described."
Color Me Badd then addressed Kevin's current connection to the group, stressing that there isn't one. "Kevin has not been a member of Color Me Badd since 2016," the statement said, adding that his departure followed the resolution of federal litigation involving the group.
According to the R&B hitmakers, Kevin has had "no involvement in the current touring, management, or business operations" since then.
Founding member Mark Calderon has owned the group since 2020, and Color Me Badd says it has played more than 250 shows across the U.S. and internationally during that time.
The statement follows Mikayla's explosive appearance on Soft White Underbelly, where she described a childhood allegedly dominated by violence, fear, and religious control. She claimed Kevin created a wooden "rod of correction," complete with Bible verses and his children's names, that was used to beat them.
Mikayla didn't mince words about the environment she says her father created. "It was a cult. My dad was the head. We were his disciples," she said, later alleging, "My dad operated on fear to keep us silent."
Her accusations went considerably further. Mikayla alleged she was sexually abused by other children on her school bus while in elementary school and said her parents failed to intervene after being told.
She also claimed her 14-year-old sister was sexually assaulted by a former inmate Kevin befriended through their church, alleging her father knew what was happening. Mikayla additionally claimed her parents prayed that she would become paralyzed or physically disfigured so God could "humble" her.
Kevin still has not publicly responded to the allegations.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, confidential help is available through the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Call 800-799-SAFE (7233), text START to 88788, or visit thehotline.org for support.
