Color Me Badd Distances Themselves From Co-Founder Accused Of Abuse

Color Me Badd, the pop/R&B group that formed in Oklahoma City in 1985, has released a statement distancing themselves from co-founder Kevin Thornton, who has been accused of abuse by his estranged daughter Mikayla. The group, which had major hits in the early 90s with songs like "I Wanna Sex You Up" and "All 4 Love", has had a tumultuous history with original members coming and going over the years.

## Background The current lineup of Color Me Badd features only one original member, Mark Calderon. Kevin Thornton, another original member, left the group in 1998 to become a minister in Fort Worth, Texas, but made temporary returns in later years. However, he has not been involved with the group since 2016, following the resolution of federal litigation involving the group.

## Allegations Mikayla Thornton, Kevin's youngest daughter, recently appeared on the YouTube interview series *Soft White Underbelly*, where she spoke about the physically and emotionally abusive household she grew up in. She claimed that her father used Christianity as a pretext for violence, and that she and her siblings were beaten with a stick called the "rod of correction" that had Bible verses on it. Mikayla also alleged that her parents failed to intervene when she was sexually abused by other children at her school, and that they prayed for her to suffer a catastrophic accident as punishment for rejecting their authority.

## Response from Color Me Badd In their statement, Color Me Badd commended Mikayla's courage and said that their hearts are with her, her siblings, and all those affected by the circumstances described. They also clarified that Kevin Thornton has not been a member of the group since 2016 and has had no involvement in their current touring, management, or business operations. The group stated that they will not comment on the substance of the allegations or on private matters involving individuals who are no longer affiliated with the group.

## Current Status Since 2020, Color Me Badd, owned by founding member Mark Calderon, has continued to tour and perform, with over 250 shows across the United States and multiple countries. The group remains focused on creating a positive experience for their fans and celebrating the music and memories of the 90s that have connected them with audiences around the world for over three decades.