Blog

10+ Random Facts About Jon Bon Jovi Fans Didn’t Know

Jon Bon Jovi may be a bonified rockstar, but he hasn’t been living the rock star life.

For starters, he’s been married to the same woman for over 40 years and even prioritizes family over music.

He’s also one of the most philanthropic celebs around with his own organization that feeds the homeless.

All in all, he’s just a good dude. Here are 10+ random fact fans didn’t know.

1. His real name is John Francis Bongiovi.

The rockstar was born in 1962 in Perth Amboy, New Jersey to parents who were both Marines for quite some time.

Eventually, his father became a hairdresser and his mother a florist.

2. He formed the band Bon Jovi when he was 21.

He did so with guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboard player David Bryan, and drummer Tico Torres.

The guys failed to get traction until 1986 when they released their smash hit, “Livin’ on a Prayer.”

3. He’s extremely philanthropic.

Instagram | @jonbonjovi
In 2006, Jon founded the JBJ Soul Foundation (named after his initials).

It’s a non-profit organization with the mission to reduce the amount of hunger and homelessness in the United States.

4. He has released a country album.

Instagram | @jonbonjovi
Everyone was surprised when the singer traded in rock for country for 2007’s “Lost Highway” album.

But what was even more surprising was the fact that the album did so well!

5. He had a breakdown in the early days of his career.

Instagram | @jonbonjovi
After the success of “Livin’ On A Prayer,” the rockstar was put through the wringer of back-to-back tours and complete exhaustion.

This led him to contemplate jumping out of a moving vehicle on his way to see his therapist. Thankfully, he didn’t and he’s still here with us today.

6. He’s into politics.

As a card-carrying Democrat, he’s campaigned hard for the likes of John Kerry and Barack Obama.

For instance, in 2009, he held a fundraiser for the then-presidential candidate in his own home. Recently, he’s been performing at rallies for Joe Biden.

7. He once donated half a million dollars to build an apartment complex for homeless veterans.

Jon’s organization took a page from fellow philanthropist, Gary Sinise , by helping out veterans in need.

Jon explained the reason behind this decision on CNN’s “The Lead With Jake Tapper.”

“Often times, [veterans] left to deal with PTSD, and the issue of coming back to the workplace after leaving the battlefield…” he said.

He also released a song called “Unbroken,” which had all of the proceeds going to the Patriotic Service Dog Foundation.

8. He’s been married to his wife, Dorothea, since 1989.

Instagram | @jonbonjovi
He may be a rockstar, but he certainly doesn’t live the messy rock & roll lifestyle.

Instead, he’s in domestic bliss with his wife who he met while he was in school.

“Our focus has always been family first and making sure that people are doing well,” Dorothea told *People* about how they make their marriage work.

Instagram | @jonbonjovi
“We like each other. We spent a lot of time together, and it was more than we have spent in many years, but it was nice,” she added about being in quarantine together.

9. He has four kids: Stephanie Rose, Jesse James, Jacob, and Romeo.

Bon Jovi may like being a rockstar, but he once told People that family comes first.

“It’s just what I do, it’s not who I am,” he said. “I write songs. I happen to be very good at performing them. That’s it.”

10. He has opened up two restaurants to feed the homeless.

Instagram | @jonbonjovi
The singer and actor currently has two “Soul Kitchens” AKA restaurants , under his JBJ Soul Foundation.

The premise for Soul Kitchen is this: people in need can eat for free!

If you can afford to pay, then you will only be asked to make a $20 donation.

Instagram | @jonbonjovi
As for the homeless, they are encouraged to eat and then later volunteer in the kitchen.

The organization’s website reported that 51% of the meals they’ve served so far have been paid for by donations.

11. He’s a feminist.

A philanthropist and a feminist? This man is after our own heart.

“This idea that the pay scale is unequal is beyond my comprehension,” he told The Guardian .

“Every man knows… and if he doesn’t say it, he’s a liar… that they get their wisdom from their mother, their wife and their daughters.”

12. He wrote an album about 2020.

As if we needed another reminder of the past year…

Even so, Bon Jovi made one titled “2020.”

In it, he tackles politics, the pandemic, police violence, and everything else that we’ve recently experienced.

Jon said that the album is his attempt to “bear witness to history.”

Instagram | @jonbonjovi
“I was inspired by the health care workers, the students who sacrificed, the grocery store clerk who became an essential worker, the caregiver, the unsung heroes who stepped up to help their neighbors and those who simply wore a mask, not because it was a political tool but because it was a sign of respect for their fellow man,” he said .

13. His favorite part of being a rockstar isn’t performing.

Instagram | @jonbonjovi
It’s songwriting.

“When I write a song, that’s when the magic happens. Having written something that’s going to be around long after we’re all gone is as close to immortality as we’ll ever be,” Bon Jovi told CBS This Morning co-host, Gayle King.

14. He wants Richie Sambora back in the band, but only if he “gets his life together.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhcRoLslmj3/
2013 was quite a controversial year for Jon Bon Jovi.

Sambora, lead guitarist and one of the band’s main songwriters, was dismissed for missing too much work.

In another interview, Bon Jovi said that Richie’s “choices have led him astray.”

Then, to add to the drama and mystery, Sambora suggested that he’d been unhappy with the way the group was run for decades.

“I thought we should have made more strides to become a band. It was going towards Jon being the front-guy and nothing else.”

Last Updated on October 28, 2020 by Sarah Kester

Tags: Celebrities & Entertainment News

Fans attending Cody Johnson’s sold-out concert at Bridgestone Arena on Saturday (February 15) were treated to an unexpected Carrie Underwood performance.

Music Mayhem/TikTok (screenshot)

Cody Johnson took the stage at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena Friday and Saturday night during a sold-out stop of his Leather tour. During night two, Ian Munsick and Luke Combs surprised the crowd by joining Johnson on stage. But the night’s biggest surprise came when new American Idol judge Carrie Underwood appeared.

Underwood took the stage with CoJo to sing their current radio single, “I’m Gonna Love You.” Cody sang the opening verse before Carrie joined him on stage. Attendees shared on social media that they were anticipating a Carrie appearance since the show was in her hometown. But the crowd’s reaction when they caught a glimpse of her emerging from backstage indicated that they were, in fact, surprised.

The crowd roared when Carrie stepped out. She looked stunning in an animal print skirt, black knee-high boots, and a CoJo t-shirt. She sounded better than ever as she and Johnson sang together, but despite their incredible vocals, fans had a bone to pick with CoJo.

As footage of their performance made its way to social media, fans noticed that Cody committed a cowboy faux pas. As he and Carrie made their way down a small flight of stairs to the front of the stage, CoJo didn’t offer his hand to help Carrie down.

Regardless, fans praised their performance. “I was literally on the floor,” one attendee wrote. Another replied, “Same. I couldn’t contain my screams.”

Watch the memorable moment in the video below.

Saturday’s performance wasn’t the first time Carrie made a surprise appearance with CoJo.

During November’s CMA Awards show, also held at Bridgestone Arena, CoJo was one of the scheduled performers but kept his song selection a secret. When he took the stage during the live show, he began to sing “I’m Gonna Love You.” Carrie, who wasn’t on the performers list, made a surprise appearance to join him on the song.

Cody Johnson/Facebook

The song was released as a single from the deluxe version of Johnson’s Leather album. The album won the Album of the Year trophy during the CMA Awards, making the duet even more special.

Watch Carrie Underwood and Cody Johnson’s performance of “I’m Gonna Love You” at the CMA Awards in the video below.

You Can Now Go On A ‘Bon Jovi Cruise’ With Bon Jovi— And It’s Now Or Never

Cruises have been a tried-and-true vacation for decades now. I mean, you get to sail around paradise on a giant floating resort — what’s not to like? If you needed something to sweeten the pot, consider the fact that you could go on a cruise with Jon Bon Jovi himself.

Bon Jovi is a big deal.

Wikimedia Commons
His band has sold millions of records worldwide and cranked out hit after hit. When it comes to New Jersey rock supremacy, the only two names in the discussion are Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi.

Bon Jovi’s about more than just the music.

Wikimedia Commons | David
He’s made attempts to buy part of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and Buffalo Bills in the past. Both attempts were ultimately unsuccessful, but he did own the Arena Football League’s Philadelphia Soul for a time.

Bon Jovi’s been a philanthropist for more groups and charities than you can count, including the Special Olympics, Habitat for Humanity, the American Red Cross and his own charity, the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation.

Now he’s trying something new.

Getty Images
Celebrity cruises have been a bit of a thing in recent years, where holidaymakers are given the opportunity to party with acts like Weezer and Kiss . Bon Jovi’s a savvy businessman with a huge following, so he’s thrown his hat in the ring.

You’d better book your tickets fast.

Flickr | Cardiff shooter
That’s because Bon Jovi’s venture, the Runaway to Paradise cruise, leaves soon. It departs Miami on April 12th, so there’s juuust enough time to book your ticket and airfare.

The cost is pretty reasonable.

Wikipedia | Ivan T.
Bon Jovi superfans can get on board the ship (Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Jade ) for as little as $713 per person. It goes up from there, of course — and it looks like spots are nearly sold out.

There’s wine, too.

Facebook | Hampton Water Wine Co.
Bon Jovi’s son, Jesse Bongiovi, will also be on board. Father and son are business partners in Hampton Water Wine, which makes an up and coming rosé that’s seen rave reviews.

What will the scene be like?

Getty Images | Gary Miller
There’ll be a shop for Bon Jovi’s clothing line, Hart N Dagger (remember, he’s a businessman!). For those who aren’t as interested in the retail opportunities, though, there will be more substantial stuff.

It’s a once in a lifetime experience for fans.

There will be plenty of Bon Jovi tunes blasting throughout the ship, as well as karaoke. But the big draw is the chance to rub shoulders with Bon Jovi himself at Q&A sessions onboard.

The ship will be rocking.

Wikimedia Commons | John Colden
Bon Jovi’s a big enough name to anchor the cruise, but it’ll also feature acts like Collective Soul, Tonic, Beth Thornton and Slippery When Wet, giving fans of different genres and eras a chance to rock out.

Whoa, we’re halfway there.

Flickr | gas_station_sushi
The four-night cruise will depart and return to Miami, stopping at one port of call — Nassau in the Bahamas — along the way. For Europeans, there’s a separate Mediterranean cruise that sets sail in August.

Would you go?

If you’re a Bon Jovi fan with the money to spare, it seems like a no-brainer — assuming you can get a ticket, of course. What would you do? It’s your life. It’s now or never. You ain’t gonna live forever.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is ready to bring excitement back to the NBA All-Star Dunk Contest, but only for one term. The Milwaukee Bucks superstar put up the condition that Ja Morant must join him. While the broader claim of the league being less exciting, these two might turn the fate around.

Giannis Antetokounmpo (Photo by Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images)

After witnessing Mac McClung secure a third consecutive win in the dunk contest, both Antetokounmpo and Morant are gearing up. They are eager to showcase their high-flying abilities and challenge McClung’s dominance. Earlier, Morant tweeted right after McClung’s victory and weighed that it is making him decide to dunk.

However, in no time, the Greek Freak joined in and retweeted he will also join if only the Memphis Grizzlies star makes his mind. Replying to Morant’s- “Mac might make me decide to dunk” endorsement, Giannis wrote- “If you do it. I’ll do it with you.”

Despite the duo’s opening up on competing next year, it’s not a sure-shot possibility. Not long ago, Morant announced he would stop dunking following a hip injury. But there are chances that if he takes time and unleashes his explosiveness with proper conditioning, things could change.

His recent double-pumped backward dunk against the Celtics proved that Morant’s absence from the dunking spotlight may only be temporary. His teammates, eager to see him embrace his dunking talent, have taken matters into their own hands. They are lobbying alley-oops to ensure he puts his spectacular skills on the court for the show.

Giannis Antetokounmpo Jokes On Teammate’s Intention To Win NBA Slam Dunk Contest As A Buck

While Giannis and Morant’s actual participation still needs time, the former has teased his teammate for his endorsement. Giannis recently responded to teammate Andre Jackson Jr.’s excitement about participating in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest.

Jackson, determined to break the Milwaukee Bucks’ long-standing streak of never having a player win the event, took to social media to express his ambition. Antetokounmpo took no time to blast back and replied with a tongue-in-cheek remark about his own experience in the 2015 contest.

“I came close one year,” Giannis Antetokounmpo wrote.

Despite his playful jab, Antetokounmpo’s 2015 Slam Dunk Contest performance was far from stellar. He scored a disappointing 65 points and failed to advance beyond the first round. However, his comments were actually a reminder of his struggles during that event, a contrast to Jackson’s hopeful aspirations.

Milwaukee Bucks starting guard Andre Jackson Jr. had a rather underwhelming showing in the 2025 NBA Slam Dunk Contest on Saturday night. And in his defense, so did two of the other participants. Indeed, the only one who seemed to have any fire or desire to win was Orlando Magic G-League star Mac McClung (a nephew of former Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Seth McClung), who won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest for the third year in a row.

Feb 15, 2025; San Francisco, CA, USA; Milwaukee Bucks player Giannis Antetokounmpo looks on in the slam dunk competition during All Star Saturday Night ahead of the 2025 NBA All Star Game at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

Indeed, many NBA fans have grown bored with the current NBA All-Star Weekend format. The Slam Dunk Contest, especially, has caused many to become disillusioned with the festivities due to the lack of noteworthy stars. Most of the participants are little-known prospects that would not be at the All-Star Game if bigger names had not turned down the invitation to participate.

Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, last night and while in attendance, revealed on social media that he would be willing to participate in the NBA Slam Dunk contest if one particular star player does as well.

Milwaukee Bucks Star Giannis Antetokounmpo Will Do the NBA Slam Dunk Contest if Ja Morant Does It Too

Jan 25, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dunks the ball against Los Angeles Clippers forward Nicolas Batum (33) in the second half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee

During McClung’s impressive showing, which included him jumping over a car, tapping the ball on the rim, and then completing a dunk, Memphis Grizzlies star guard Ja Morant posted the following on X (formerly Twitter):

Heat @ Mavericks – NBA Game Preview for February 13, 2025 08:30 PM EST

Giannis quoted the post, with the following message of his own:

There is no player in the NBA with more dunks this season than Giannis, and there are few with bigger star power behind their name. Indeed, the Greek Freak participating in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest could help generate more interest in the event.

Giannis did follow up with how long it would take him to prepare:

Of course, the NBA would most likely love it if Giannis were to participate in the Slam Dunk Contest. It would make the event more relevant and interesting than it has been for years.

That being said, there is one factor that the two-time NBA MVP has to consider: his health.

As fans know, Giannis is not participating in the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday after being the leading vote-getter in the entire NBA. This is due to a calf strain that has forced him to miss Milwaukee’s last several games. While the team is hopeful that he will be able to return after the All-Star Break, that has not been guaranteed.

If he is going to help bring the NBA Slam Dunk Contest back to its former credibility, he has to stay healthy for his team first. And, of course, he knows this.

Still, the thought of Giannis competing against Morant in the event is very intriguing.

More Milwaukee Bucks News from Wisconsin Sports Heroics

Bucks Star Guard Gets His Jersey Retired at Cedar Falls

Breaking: Former Bucks Starter Released by Current Team

Bucks Legend Named Finalist for Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2025

“This Isn’t Goodbye, It’s Thank You;” Former Bucks Star Khris Middleton Pens Emotional Letter to Fans

Comparing Wisconsin Sports Teams by Historical Success

Jon Bon Jovi Calls Taylor Swift ‘Pesky’ For Stealing Bon Jovi’s No. 1 Spot On Charts

Bon Jovi’s latest album, ‘Forever,’ debuted at Number 5, but Jon Bon Jovi thinks it could have topped the charts if it weren’t for Taylor Swift.

Swift’s 2024 album ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ held the Number 1 spot when ‘Forever’ was released. Jon joked about it in a recent interview with Audacy, saying:

“If it weren’t for that pesky Taylor [Swift] girl, we would have been No. 1 everywhere! But isn’t [it] fantastic that, on our 18th album, we’re still having big hit successes? So, it’s knock on wood, and why not be joyful?”

The frontman’s comment isn’t negative as he’s praised Swift and her work in many interviews. In a June conversation with Variety, Bon Jovi noted:

“She created an industry. She utilized what she does best. She sings like Taylor Swift. She plays guitar like Taylor Swift. She’s not trying to be something that she’s not, and it is connected with an audience that is unique.”

Bon Jovi’s Other Statements About Swift

Back in 2013, Swift, along with Prince William, joined Bon Jovi on stage at London’s Kensington Palace to sing ‘Livin’ on a Prayer.’ In a May Radio Times issue, Jon talked about his feelings towards Swift:

“Most definitely. She’s connected with an audience that is unique to her. She’s a talent who will be around now for the rest of her life. She’ll be the Dolly Parton of her generation. I have nothing but respect for what she’s accomplished.”

Previously in February, at a panel for ‘Thank You, Goodnight,’ Bon Jovi playfully compared his songwriting to Swift’s and shared how his early life affected his music:

“That’s been the magic of 40 years of career. At 20, when I got a record deal, I didn’t have a lot else to write about except high school.”

The singer added:

“And I didn’t break up with people like Taylor [Swift] did.”

After ‘Forever’ debuted at Number 5, it dropped off the Billboard 200 chart the next week. The band’s previous album, 2020’s ‘2020,’ was on the chart for just two weeks. It started at Number 19, then dropped 126 spots and left the chart.

Mike Portnoy Gives Taylor Swift Hit A Metal Edge With Double Bass, And It’s Pure Genius

Photo Credit: Loudwire – Hector Vivas/TAS23/Getty Images/TAS Rights Management

Mike Portnoy recently appeared as a guest on Drumeo and turned Taylor Swift’s ‘Shake It Off’ into metal.

On Drumeo’s First Time series, Portnoy was challenged to create drum parts for a song he had never heard before—Swift’s ‘Shake It Off.’ After hearing a snippet without drum tracks, he jammed along. “What the hell was that?” the Dream Theater drummer said after his first take on the song.

When the host asked, “Mike, you actually don’t know what that was?” Portnoy replied, “I have not the slightest clue. It sounds like something out of Disneyland in Japan or something.”

Following his final take on the track, the rocker asked the host, “Who is it? What is it?” After learning it was Taylor Swift, Mike added, “Oh my God, that’s Taylor Swift? Like only the biggest artist on Earth. Wow, that’s Taylor Swift. I had no idea. What’s the name of that song?”

When the host said it is ‘Shake It Off,’ Portnoy sent a message to Swift, saying, “That’s exactly what I’m about to have to do. Taylor, I’m really sorry. I still would play with you in a heartbeat. I swear I wouldn’t do that [laughs].”

“Wow, well, there you go. Perfect example. Biggest artist in the world and I don’t know a single one of her songs. My daughter is going to get a kick out of this,” the musician concluded.

On Drumeo, Portnoy also previously played Nickelback’s ‘Burn It To The Ground’ with double bass. He hadn’t heard the song before, so after listening and taking notes, he played it his way.

Later, he compared it to the original with Daniel Adair on drums and noticed he added an extra bar and used double bass, unlike Adair’s pump-and-kick style. “This is why they’re rich and famous and I’m just a f*cking prog guy,” Mike said of the song.

He then shared, “That was a good song, man. I could fine-tune that and make a really cool drum part, but I think it’s better just the first impression. I’m sure if I ever did end up touring with them it would be the most fun shows ever in my life.”

Portnoy and Dream Theater will release their new album, ‘Parasomnia,’ on February 7. It’s their first with Portnoy since 2009’s ‘Dark Clouds & Silver Linings,’ after he rejoined the band in late 2023.

 

Mike Portnoy Subtly Slams Idea That Taylor Swift Boosted His Career

Photo Credit: Mike Portnoy/Facebook – Gareth Cattermole/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management

During a recent appearance on Everblack Podcast, Mike Portnoy said Taylor Swift and Hello Kitty made him famous.

The host initially mentioned that when he told his wife about talking to Portnoy, she recognized him as the one who did the Taylor Swift cover. The drummer responded by saying, “Yeah, things like that, I’ve been doing this for what 30-40 years at this point, been on the won like 30 modern drummer rewards whatever, that doesn’t matter.”

He continued, “The things that are my claim to fame are the Taylor Swift video, the Hello Kitty video. It’s things like that are my claim to fame.” Then, the host also said he tried to explain that Portnoy is one of the greatest drummers ever, but his wife focused on the Taylor Swift cover instead. He found it frustrating but accepted it. “That’s okay. My claim to fame, yeah,” Portnoy added.

Earlier this month, Portnoy was a guest on Drumeo and turned Swift’s ‘Shake It Off’ into a metal version. On the show’s First Time series, he was asked to create drum parts for a song he had never heard before—’Shake It Off.’ After listening to a snippet without drums, he jammed along. After his first try, the Dream Theater drummer said, “What the hell was that?”

When the host asked if Mike knew what the song was, he said, “I have not the slightest clue. It sounds like something out of Disneyland in Japan or something.”

After his final take, Mike asked, “Who is it? What is it?” When told it was Taylor Swift, he was surprised and said, “Oh my God, that’s Taylor Swift? Like only the biggest artist on Earth. Wow, that’s Taylor Swift. I had no idea. What’s the name of that song?”

When the host revealed it was ‘Shake It Off,’ Portnoy had a message for Swift, saying, “That’s exactly what I’m about to have to do. Taylor, I’m really sorry. I still would play with you in a heartbeat. I swear I wouldn’t do that [laughs].”

Portnoy previously played a tiny Hello Kitty drum kit during a visit to Loudwire. He performed songs like KISS’ ‘Love Gun,’ Slayer’s ‘Raining Blood,’ and Rush’s ‘YYZ.’

 

Elon Musk has spoken up after an influencer claimed to have given birth to his 13th child. On Friday (February 14), Ashley St. Clair – a 26-year-old influencer…

On Friday (February 14), Ashley St. Clair – a 26-year-old influencer and writer – took to X to reveal that she and a 53-year-old billionaire share a child.

In the statement, St. Clair explained that she had no intention of making this information public but felt pressure from the media to do so.

“Five months ago, I welcomed a new baby into the world. Elon Musk is the father. I have not previously disclosed this to protect our child’s privacy and safety, but in recent days, it has become clear that tabloid media intends to do so, regardless of the harm it will cause,” her announcement read.

“I intend to allow our child to grow in a normal and safe environment,” St. Clair said. “For that reason, I ask that the media honor our child’s privacy and refrain from invasive reporting.”
Her post was captioned with the Latin phrase, “Alea Iacta Est,” which means: “The die is cast.”

St. Clair, an outspoken supporter of conservative ideologies, is best known for her children’s book Elephants Are Not Birds, published by BRAVE Books.

Her representative, Brian Glicklich, also confirmed the bombshell news, explaining that the pair had been working privately to reach an agreement regarding co-parenting.

“Ashley & Elon have been privately working towards the creation of an agreement about raising their child for some time,” Glicklich penned.

“It is disappointing that a tabloid reporter, who repeatedly ambushed Ashley and her family, made it impossible to complete that process confidentially. We are waiting for Elon to publicly acknowledge his parental role with Ashley, to end unwarranted speculation, and Ashley trusts that Elon intends to finish their agreement quickly, in the best interests of the wellbeing and security of the child they share,” he added.

Musk has remained silent on the matter until now, responding to the news in a way only he could: cryptically and with minimal words.

The Tesla founder didn’t directly address the situation but instead reacted with: “Whoa” to a post that read: “Ashley St. Clair plotted for HALF A DECADE to ensnare Elon Musk.”

According to The New York Post, St. Clair wasn’t pleased with the public reaction from the tech mogul as she called him out for ignoring her private messages while engaging in online rumors.

“Elon, we have been trying to communicate for the past several days, and you have not responded. When are you going to reply to us instead of publicly responding to smears from an individual who just posted photos of me in underwear at 15 years old?” she fired back.

If St. Clair’s claim is true, Musk’s child count has officially hit 13. The X owner already has 12 children with three different women.

Five kids with his first wife, Justine Wilson: twins Vivian and Griffin, plus triplets Kai, Saxon, and Damian, and three children with musician Grimes: X Æ A-12 (often called “X”), Exa Dark Sideræl, and Techno Mechanicus.

He also has three children with Neuralink executive Shivon Zilis: twins Strider and Azure, and a third baby born in early 2024.

 

Giannis’ Wife Issues 3-Word Message to Khris Middleton’s Partner as Ex-Bucks Star’s Future Seemingly Gets Confirmed

The Milwaukee Bucks trading Khris Middleton marked the end of an era in the NBA. And even though things may have gotten awkward, Khris’ teammates were all deeply saddened by his move. Middleton’s former teammate, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and his wife Mariah, in particular, were devastated by his trade. Giannis himself penned a brief yet heartfelt farewell to his friend and now his wife, Mariah, has done the same for Middleton and his wife.

Khris Middleton’s wife, Samantha Dutton, penned a lovely farewell to the Milwaukee Bucks on Instagram. She thanked the club, the city, and the friends and family they gained along the way. And on that post, Mariah expressed her love for Samantha and her husband. “Love you forever💛,” she wrote in a comment on the post below.

She also re-shared the post in an Instagram story with the same caption. It’s clear that this move has affected Giannis and his wife a lot.

Giannis said that his and Middleton’s bond ran deeper than just being teammates. “For me, it’s a little bigger than business, it’s family. It’s almost like I’ve been to war with him. That’s what I remember,” shared Antetokounmpo.

It’s not hard to see the pain behind Giannis and his wife’s words. After all, they bid farewell to the people they’ve been so close with for more than a decade. However, in light of Khris’s trade, his former teammate Bobby Portis Jr. has given us a glimpse into what the future may hold for the 33-year-old after his move to Washington.

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s teammate shares his take on Khris Middleton opting for a buyout

Bobby Portis Jr. is a big presence in the Milwaukee Bucks locker room. His outspoken nature allows him to rally his teammates, giving them a burst of energy whenever he’s on the court. And it’s this outspokenness that enables us to learn about certain things behind the scenes that we won’t be privy to otherwise.

And right now, Khris Middleton’s trade is the perfect example. He was traded to the Wizards, the bottom seed in the Eastern Conference. Many people speculated that he may opt for a buyout to avoid spending the twilight of his career on a team that may end up relying on him too much. But Portis Jr. has quashed that notion.

USA Today via Reuters

He revealed it all to Michele Beadle, Chandler Parsons, and Lou Williams during his appearance on Run It Back. Bobby said, “He has another year on his deal. I can’t see him taking a buyout with another year left on his deal. Maybe if it was an expiring contract  then probably so.”

He then used himself as an example, “But if I’m taking a buyout I’m not taking a buyout with 2 years left on my deal. I’m taking the bread!…Imma take the punches.”

Bobby makes a fair point about the buyout, though. With a year left on Khris Middleton’s deal, walking away from his guaranteed salary would be a massive financial sacrifice. Middleton is set to earn $31 million for the 2024-25 season, with an additional $9.2 million in potential incentives across his contract. That includes $3 million in “unlikely” bonuses this season, meaning that if he hits certain milestones—like games played or team success—he could be looking at an even bigger payday.

If he were to take a buyout, he’d be giving up not just his base salary but also the chance to hit those incentive markers. And given that Middleton also holds a player option for 2025-26, he still has control over his next move. Opting in could secure another $34 million, or he could choose free agency if a better situation arises. (credit: Spotrac)

So, financially, a buyout just wouldn’t make sense. Even if the Wizards aren’t competing for a title anytime soon, Middleton is still getting paid—and getting paid well.

Meanwhile, back in Milwaukee, the Bucks’ locker room will really miss him. Nonetheless, no one seems more affected by Khris’ trade than Giannis Antetokounmpo. Although… his wife remains a close second.