Fans of pop singer Kelis have been rejoicing in her palpable happiness via the content she shares of her family farm and the small glimpses of her love, Mike Mora. The “Milkshake” vocalist has been in the public eye for so long, through many personal and professional changes, that seeing her step away and reinvent herself has been source of inspiration for many. The mom of 3, including a two-year old baby girl, seems to truly be embracing this chapter in her life where she continues to be her 100% authentic self. So, when she and Mora announced his battle with stomach cancer last year, fans went into overdrive sending prayers and love their way. Mike bravely shared his story via a post on his Instagram account, “I am posting this…after so much thought. Many hours thinking of what the right thing to do is,” he wrote. “Not because of a selfish reason. not because I want people to feel bad or sorry for me and my family. I am posting this because life is full of the most unexpected situations. I never thought this could happen to me. At just 36, with 3 kiddos, and a wife that loves me. I want to be able to help those that might be experiencing something like this- a life altering disease full of questions and doubt- maybe, hopefully. By showing that it’s possible to make it through.”
The father to their two children as well as 12-year-old Knight, whom Kelis shares with ex-husband Nas, had already begun beating the odds of most stage 4 diagnoses, living longer than the average patient. “I was told people with my disease, in this phase, didn’t make it past 18 months,” he stated at the time. “It’s been exactly 12.”
On Monday, March 15th, Mora lost his battle with cancer. The photographer, husband and father was only 37. An outpouring of support has popped up around the internet for both Kelis and the couple’s children with tributes coming in from actor Evan Ross and others. In his original post, he spoke of wanting to use his own experience as motivation for others to cherish the people they hold dear. “You always see people post about how life is too short. How you should reach out to those you love no matter where life has taken you. It is the truth. Don’t take your time here, your time with friends, family, for granted. S— can be over just like that!”, he said. Kelis has yet to make a statement of her own but her management company confirmed the unfortunate news saying, “After a tough two year battle with cancer, we are devastated to have to confirm the loss of our beloved brother Mike. An amazing Father, husband, and friend who gave so genuinely and cared so deeply for his family and friends.”
One of Mora’s final social media posts was shared at the beginning of the year and is simply a black and white photo of his wife, Kelis.