Akon’s Wife Files for Divorce Days Before 29th Anniversary
Akon’s wife, Tomeka Thiam, has filed for divorce from the popular singer-songwriter just days before their 29th wedding anniversary on September 15, according to court documents obtained by TMZ.
Thiam, who married the “Smack That” rapper in 1996, cited irreconcilable differences in her filing.
According to a report by the New York Times, Thiam is requesting joint legal custody of their 17-year-old child, as well as sole physical custody. Additionally, she is asking for spousal support and wants to block the court from awarding any spousal support to Akon.
Akon, born Aliaune Thiam, first gained fame with hit singles like “Lonely” and “Locked Up,” and released his debut album, “Trouble,” in 2004. He signed with Universal Motown shortly after and has been nominated for five Grammy Awards.
While Akon has largely kept his personal life private, he revealed in a December 2022 interview that he is a father to nine children. He stated that he takes care of all of them and that their mothers are well taken care of as well.
Recently, Akon has shifted his focus to creating a “futuristic” city in Senegal, known as Akon City, which he first announced in 2020.
The $6 billion project aimed to resemble a “real-life Wakanda,” but it was reportedly scrapped earlier this summer after several delays. He is now working on a “more realistic project” in place of Akon City.
Despite the challenges in his personal and professional life, Akon remains optimistic about the future of the music industry.
He believes that advancements like artificial intelligence could improve the experience for both fans and artists, stating, “I think AI is going to actually make the experience better, believe it or not. I don’t think it’s a threat in any kind of way.”
