Mashonda Responds To Alicia Keys' Claims

For those that don't know her, Mashonda is an R&B singer; although she hasn't been popping for a while now, she had some buzz in the early 00s. She is also Swizz Beatz Ex-Wife. Swizz is currently married to Alicia Keys. Before they got married (swizz n alicia), Mashonda was making news a lot as she alleged that Alicia Keys was one of the reasons why Swizz left her...she even had phone record bills to back up her claims. But Alicia always claimed that Swizz and Mashonda had already separated before she got into the picture.

Alicia is about to drop her 5th album, Girl On Fire, and in a recent interview, she was indirectly asked about the issue with Mashonda, and below are her words.

"…[They] were apart for some time before we ever got together…that doesn't matter to those who take pleasure in trying to knock others down…there's no need to fight what's not true…"










Hmm! Anyway, Global Grind caught up with Mashonda recently, and asked her some questions concerning Alicia's claims. You can read part of the interview below-

What was your initial reaction when you caught wind of Alicia's JET Magazine interview? 

Not much surprises me anymore when it comes to this situation. I truly thought that everyone’s priority was the well being of the children involved. I don’t see the sense in throwing oil on a fire, it just takes us back to point A. The Jet interview just added insult to injury. I can’t figure out how this makes us better. How is it a positive, humanitarian gesture? But artists must protect their reputation and I get that.

In the interview Alicia Keys says "…[They] were apart for some time before we ever got together…that doesn't matter to those who take pleasure in trying to knock others down…there's no need to fight what's not true…" Did you feel like this was a indirect stab at your open letter? 

There have been many stabs and shots taken, thankfully they don’t bother me the way they used to. I’ve never lied about one thing involving the demise of my marriage. No, we were not “apart” or separated, and that’s just a fact that can be proven in many ways. Blessings have a way of disguising themselves. This situation has helped me to understand life and what really matters.

Most people have to deal with their divorces and infidelities in private, but your situation unfolded in front of the public. How has this taken a toll on you? 

There is a level of humiliation and criticism that the average person wouldn’t be able to conceive, it really altered my life, but gave me a super thick skin. It’s been a rollercoaster ride. I’ve lost weight, gained weight, lost some hair and almost lost hope and mental focus. For months I saw a therapist because I needed someone to assist me in putting the pieces back together. There was a lot of stress and pain, it’s been challenging. I’ve found ways to cope and not get consumed in a dark space. You have to take care of yourself and move forward. In my case, I have a child and live for him. I have a purpose and I won’t give up on it.

It's clear now that Alicia, Swizz, their marriage and their child have to be a part of your life, being that you two share a son. Do you think the public/media will ever get over the "triangle" and allow you all to be adults without pointing fingers? 

The public/media enjoys sensationalism, they take pleasure in seeing celebrities make dysfunctional choices. People have unrealistic expectations for celebrities and they don’t realize that they are only human. They have unresolved pain, scars and they make mistakes. What happened in my “triangle” is an old chapter. I forgave everyone involved and I’ve been in a great space. It took five years to get here but I made it, I feel like a victor. At the end of the day, no one can tell me about the life I’ve lived and what I’ve endured as a wife, mother or human. My divorce was just one lesson of many to come, I’ve moved on and I’ve done so in a great way.