CHICAGO (AP) — Kirsten Corley Bennett has filed for divorce from Grammy-winning artist Chance the Rapper in Cook County, Illinois, court records show. The filing on Friday comes eight months after the couple first announced their separation.
The pair, who share two daughters, initially revealed their split through a joint statement on Chance’s Instagram Stories in April. “After a period of separation, the two of us have arrived at the decision to part ways,” they wrote at the time, emphasizing their commitment to co-parenting their children, 9-year-old Kensli and 5-year-old Marli Grace.
“We kindly ask for privacy and respect as we navigate this transition,” the statement concluded, noting they had reached the decision “amicably and with gratitude for the time we spent together.”
Chance the Rapper, whose legal name is Chancelor Bennett, and Corley Bennett were married in March 2019 at the Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Beach, California. The lavish ceremony drew notable guests including Kim Kardashian, Kanye “Ye” West, and Dave Chappelle, with gospel singer Kirk Franklin performing. Court records indicate the couple had previously held a civil ceremony in Chicago on December 27, 2018.
The rapper, who gained recent prominence as a judge on “The Voice,” has publicly shared the story of how he first met Corley Bennett in 2003 at his mother’s office party when they were both nine years old. He recalled the moment on social media platform X, describing watching her perform in a Destiny’s Child lip-sync show, calling her “the prettiest girl I ever seen in my almost-a-decade of life on earth.”
Their relationship has been a significant part of Chance’s public narrative, with the rapper often expressing his devotion to family life. The couple’s 2019 wedding came after a brief separation in 2016, after which they reconciled and became engaged in 2018.
Chance the Rapper rose to fame with his mixtape “Coloring Book” in 2016, which earned him three Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist. Throughout his career, he has maintained strong ties to Chicago, known for his philanthropic work in the city’s education system and youth programs.
The couple has requested privacy as they navigate their separation and focus on co-parenting their daughters. Details about custody arrangements and division of assets have not been made public.
Representatives for Chance the Rapper have not responded to requests for comment.
