The internet is divided after Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s ex-girlfriend, Karen Malina White, posted a heartfelt, but eyebrow-raising, tribute to the late actor, complete with a winky face emoji.
While some saw it as a sweet remembrance of their seven-year relationship, others called it tacky, especially since Warner was a married man at the time of his tragic passing.
The sudden passing of beloved actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner has left many in mourning, but not all tributes are being received with open arms.
Fans were taken aback this week after Warner’s ex-girlfriend, actress Karen Malina White, posted a heartfelt yet eyebrow-raising tribute to the late actor on Instagram. While the intention may have been sincere, it was one particular line, “Love you Always, in All Ways 😉,” that ignited a heated online debate.
In her caption, White referred to their past relationship as a “profound karmic connection,” accompanied by an old photo of Warner embracing her from behind. She went on to send condolences to Warner’s wife, daughter, and mother. But it was the winky face emoji that had many fans asking: “Ma’am, was this the time?”
White and Warner dated for over seven years, from 2000 to 2007, during which she starred alongside him on the UPN sitcom Malcolm & Eddie and had a recurring role on The Cosby Show spinoff, A Different World. Though their relationship ended years ago, White’s tribute carried a deeply emotional tone that made some fans wonder whether unresolved feelings were bubbling beneath the surface, and whether it was appropriate to express them so publicly.
Especially considering Warner, 54, had settled into a more private life in recent years. He kept his marriage and family mostly out of the spotlight, rarely sharing photos or personal details. His tragic death, confirmed to be caused by accidental drowning during a family vacation in Costa Rica, sent shockwaves through Black Hollywood and beyond.
That’s why Karen’s post hit differently for many. The tone felt less like a general remembrance and more like a love letter, with a side of nostalgia and maybe even a pinch of regret. The line “Love you Always in All Ways 😉” was especially called out as “inappropriate,” with several users accusing White of making it about herself rather than focusing on Warner’s family, including the woman he ultimately chose to spend his life with.
