Kentrell DeSean Gaulden, known globally as NBA YoungBoy, remains one of hip-hop’s most intensely scrutinized figures. Whenever the Baton Rouge rapper deviates from traditional street-rap conventions, internet forums ignite with wild theories regarding his personal life and sexual orientation. Over the past several years, periodic waves of social media chatter have questioned whether the Never Broke Again founder is bisexual, pointing to his bold cosmetic choices, painted nails, and introspective public broadcasts as alleged clues.

Much of this speculation resurfaced alongside recent lifestyle updates. Amid constant commentary tracking his house arrest, artistic shifts, and sobriety updates, including a confirmed milestone where he announced he had been clean for a month, as covered in an instagram.com Report, the rumor mill repeatedly tries to link his unconventional aesthetic to his sexuality. A systematic review of Gaulden's verified statements, legal records, and public relationships establishes a very different reality.

📌 Key Takeaways:

• The Verified Record: Kentrell Gaulden has never stated or implied that he is bisexual; he has consistently identified as heterosexual throughout his career.
• The Catalyst: The rumors originated entirely from visual aesthetics, specifically his late-2021 adoption of black face paint, eye makeup, and painted fingernails.
• The Domestic Reality: Gaulden has been married to Jazlyn Mychelle since January 2023, and the couple welcomed their third child together in February 2026, marking his 13th child overall.

The Origins of the Viral Speculation Around Kentrell Gaulden

The persistent online claim that NBA YoungBoy is bisexual did not emerge from a personal revelation, leaked relationship, or official statement. Instead, it was sparked entirely by visual culture. In late 2021, Gaulden appeared in the music video for his track "Black Ball" sporting thick black eyeliner and dark lipstick. Shortly after, during a temporary period on the audio app Clubhouse, photos surfaced showing him with heavy black face paint surrounding his eyes.

In traditional hip-hop circles, particularly the aggressive Southern drill and street-rap scenes Gaulden helped shape, cosmetic self-expression remains heavily stigmatized. Fans and critics accustomed to his gritty Baton Rouge persona reacted with immediate bewilderment. Comment sections across X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and hip-hop blogs quickly conflated cosmetic experimentation with sexual orientation, launching thousands of speculative threads that continue to circulate via recycled algorithmic clips.

What YoungBoy Actually Said About Makeup in His Revolt TV Interview

Rather than ignoring the buzz, Gaulden addressed his aesthetic directly. During a widely reported conversation on Clubhouse, subsequently detailed in a Revolt TV interview, producer and radio host DJ Akademiks asked Gaulden directly why he chose to wear eye makeup and face paint.

Gaulden did not frame his aesthetic as a political statement or an expression of queer identity. He framed it as personal comfort. "I like painting my face, putting makeup on," Gaulden stated candidly during the session. "I like to look like that... it makes me feel comfortable." When pressed on where the inspiration came from, he pointed to creative autonomy rather than outside pressure, adding that the cosmetics gave him a rockstar energy detached from street expectations.

His explanation aligns closely with the alternative and punk influences that have steadily permeated modern rap. Rock artists like Alice Cooper, Ozzy Osbourne, and Marilyn Manson wore heavy eyeliner for decades without public confusion regarding their orientation. Within hip-hop, trailblazers like Young Thug and Lil Uzi Vert broke rigid wardrobe norms long before Gaulden picked up black eye paint. For Gaulden, makeup was an emotional armor, not a sexual declaration.

Public Relationships, Marriage to Jazlyn Mychelle, and Family Reality

Every documented romantic partnership in Gaulden's adult life has been with women. His personal timeline is extensively cataloged across legal child support filings, social media documentation, and music releases. In January 2023, Gaulden married his longtime partner, Jazlyn Mychelle, solidifying a stable domestic unit while serving federal house arrest in Utah.

Their family has continued to expand. In February 2026, Gaulden announced the birth of his 13th child, marking his third child with wife Jazlyn Mychelle. Across his 26 years, his documented relationships, including past high-profile romances with Yaya Mayweather, Jania Meshell, and Drea Symone, show no historical record or romantic link to men.

Hip-Hop Masculinity and the Friction Over Gender Expression

The intense fascination with Gaulden’s orientation exposes how deeply entrenched traditional gender roles remain within mainstream rap commentary. Historically, the genre demanded an uncompromising archetype of hypermasculinity, particularly from Southern artists with genuine street backgrounds. Gaulden was initially canonized by millions for representing that raw, unpolished grit.

When an artist with dozens of gun charges and raw street anthems begins painting his nails black, the contrast creates cultural cognitive dissonance for casual listeners. Many fans default to equating gender-nonconforming presentation with queerness. Yet fashion historians consistently document that subcultural rebellion frequently uses beauty products to disrupt expectations without altering personal identity. Gaulden weaponized that visual contradiction, knowing it would provoke outrage and dominate social discourse.

How Clickbait Ecosystems Keep Unfounded Rumors Alive

Internet gossip thrives on engagement bait. Video platforms like YouTube and TikTok are filled with algorithmically generated clips using provocative titles like "NBA YoungBoy Reveals Truth About His Sexuality" or "YoungBoy Finally Addresses Rumors." These videos regularly cut together out-of-context audio, dramatic sound effects, and thumbnail edits of Gaulden in face paint.

When viewers click, the videos contain zero primary evidence. Instead, creators regurgitate old Clubhouse clips or invent anonymous insider narratives. Because Gaulden spent years isolated on house arrest in Salt Lake City, communicating primarily through sporadic music drops and occasional live broadcasts, the lack of traditional media tours created an information vacuum. In digital media, an information vacuum is instantly filled by lucrative rumors.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Has NBA YoungBoy ever stated that he is bisexual?

No. Kentrell Gaulden has never identified as bisexual or queer in any interview, social media post, or lyric. His public commentary regarding his personal life has consistently referenced heterosexual relationships.

Q2: Why did NBA YoungBoy start wearing black makeup and painting his nails?

Gaulden explained directly in late 2021 that wearing cosmetics made him feel "comfortable" and aligned with his creative aesthetic at the time. He described it as a personal choice and artistic mood rather than a statement about his sexual orientation.

Q3: Who is NBA YoungBoy currently married to?

Gaulden has been legally married to Jazlyn Mychelle since January 2023. The couple lives together and welcomed their third child together in February 2026.

Q4: How many children does NBA YoungBoy have?

As of early 2026, Gaulden has 13 confirmed children across several relationships, including three with his wife, Jazlyn Mychelle.

The Blurred Line Between Artistry and Identity

The viral debate over whether NBA YoungBoy is bisexual says far more about public assumptions than it does about Kentrell Gaulden. When stripped of internet sensationalism, the facts remain unambiguous: Gaulden is a married father of 13 who experimented with goth-inspired cosmetics because it suited his artistic state of mind. conflating creative expression with sexual orientation ignores his direct words and projects outdated industry stereotypes onto an artist who has never played by conventional rules.