Shortly after news broke that GELO and Rashida Nicole were divorcing only six months after going public as a couple, the basketball player-turned-rapper sat down with Billboard News and addressed the Internet’s reaction to the headlines.
“When people conversate about my personal life, it don’t touch me or bother me too much,” GELO (real name: LiAngelo Ball) tells Billboard News. “Like I see it, of course, because you know, everybody got a phone, but it don’t rub me the wrong way or nothing because nobody really go [through] what I go through every day. You not me, for real. So it don’t mean sh–, for real.”
The “Tweaker” rapper says he only cares about what his friends and family have to say, not strangers online. “I don’t even know half the people saying anything,” he tells Billboard. “And everybody I know rock with me. Sh–, there it is. I be feeling good when I step out. Got love.”
Ball and Nicole went public back in February, when the influencer and podcaster sat courtside for GELO’s “Tweaker” performance at the 2025 NBA All-Star Game. While TMZ — who broke the divorce news on Wednesday — are unsure when Ball and Nicole were married, their cameras did catch the couple leaving a SoCal courthouse wearing all-white, also in February. The couple was last spotted out at June 9’s BET Awards.
Last month, Nicole revealed that she’s expecting a baby — which would be the couple’s first child together, but Nicole’s second and Ball’s third. “Wish I had all the right words to describe this journey, but I guess if I had to define it, all I can truly say is: I’m grateful, terrified, anxious, nauseous, HANGRY … all of thee above,” she wrote on Instagram next to photos of her growing baby bump. “As a teen mom, I was always hesitant about going thru pregnancy and parenthood again. (Iykyk) I want to thank my daughter for being here for me during this process, always demonstrating unconditional LOVE & reassuring me that, ‘Everything is alright!’ And for now…I choose to protect my peace and this beautiful energy.”
Ball has two other children — LaVelo and LaNiyah — with his ex Nikki Mudarris.
In January, GELO signed with Def Jam and released his breakout rap smash “Tweaker,” which became a top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 (peaking at No. 29), topped the Rhythmic Airplay chart, and had a remix featuring Lil Wayne released on Feb. 7. His debut album, League of My Own, is due July 18.
