The 'Milkshake' songstress, who tied the knot with Mike Mora in 2014, opens up about how she copes with the tragic loss more than five months after he lost his battle with stomach cancer.
- Sep 4, 2022
AceShowbiz - Kelis has finally addressed her husband's death. More than five months after Mike Mora lost his battle with stomach cancer, the "Milkshake" singer decided to talk about how she coped with his passing.
"It wasn't something that was sudden. We were able to prepare, and love, and say goodbye. We were able to spend the time that we needed to, as much as we were given, the best way that we could," the 43-year-old said in an interview with PEOPLE. "Is it a great situation? No, it's freaking awful, but I am grateful."
"It was out of our hands from the beginning. We're just grateful for what we had," the musician, who wed Mike in 2014, added. "It's part of life. It doesn't change the fact that I'm heartbroken… but it does change how I choose to approach it."
Kelis went on to note, "It reminds you how short time is, and how we don't have any control. I want to control what I can control - how I treat the people around me." She continued, "I'm really big on celebrating people when they're here. I don't feel like it's as useful when they're gone."
Mike died at the age of 37 on March 14. Announcing his death was actor/singer Evan Ross, who wrote on Instagram, "We lost a brother Yesterday. We will truly miss you Mike. Thinking of some of the great times we all spent together. You and @naztokio recording me at @dallasaustins studio in atlanta."
"First time I had ever really recording a record in the studio. You made it feel easy and safe. Everything I saw you do. Was built in passion. I loved connecting again with you. Hearing about your children and the life you and your wife have built," the son of Diana Ross added. "Im sending all the prayers and love to your family brother. @kelis [red heart emojis] RIP @mikemorafotos."
Mike himself divulged in October 2021 that he was battling stage 4 stomach cancer which has spread to the lymph nodes in his back. "Loss of appetite. Pain in my back also started to creep in…finally decided to do something about it," he wrote at that time. "It was a bit late. But just in time."
"I thought the whole time that I just had an ulcer. With no idea what was about to come my way... Here I was, in a hospital bed, during the middle of the pandemic. All alone," the photographer continued. After three specialists and an endoscopic biopsy, he was diagnosed with gastric adenocarcinoma.
