Just Escaping Forced Kiss Sentence, Jackson Mahomes Causes Controversy When He “Reactivates” Old Drama With A Love Scene On TikTok

Barely a year after pleading no contest to a misdemeanor battery charge stemming from a controversial forced kiss incident, Jackson Mahomes is once again in the headlines — and not for the reasons his fans might have hoped. The younger brother of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has sparked fresh controversy with a bold TikTok post featuring a very public and very affectionate display of his new relationship.

In the short clip, set to Lady Gaga’s iconic hit “Poker Face,” the 24-year-old can be seen wrapping his arms around a woman identified as Shyanne Blankenship and planting a kiss on her cheek while mouthing lyrics to the camera. The video was captioned simply and unapologetically: “Hard launch.”

While social media influencers “hard launching” relationships is nothing new, Mahomes’ timing — and his past — have reignited public debate. The video comes just months after he was sentenced to six months of probation following a high-profile case in which he was accused of forcibly kissing a restaurant owner and shoving a teenage waiter.

Online reactions have been divided. Supporters praised Jackson for “moving on” and “starting fresh,” while critics called the post “tone-deaf” and “a PR nightmare waiting to happen.” Many questioned whether it was appropriate for him to be so publicly affectionate on social media given the nature of the allegations that previously tarnished his name.

“This just feels like he’s mocking the entire situation,” one user commented on TikTok. “You can’t go from a forced kiss case to posting this kind of content like nothing happened.”

Others, however, defended the TikTok star, pointing out that he had served his sentence and had the right to live his life. “He pled guilty to a lesser charge, paid his dues, and now everyone wants to keep him in the same box,” another user wrote. “Let the man move on.”

Jackson’s new girlfriend, Shyanne Blankenship, has also been active on social media, reposting the clip and sharing snaps of the couple together, including one in which they’re dressed in matching black outfits, sipping cocktails and smiling into the camera. While she has not publicly addressed the backlash, her social presence suggests the pair are unbothered by the noise.

Still, the timing of the video has many questioning whether Jackson’s post was meant to be romantic — or deliberately provocative. The image of him planting a kiss on someone just a year after being at the center of a scandal involving non-consensual touching is, for some, simply too much too soon.

Media experts are weighing in as well. “In celebrity PR, perception is everything,” says Carla Medina, a digital branding strategist. “Whether it was intentional or not, the juxtaposition of Jackson’s past with his current post creates a narrative that’s hard to control. It opens him up to criticism that could have been avoided with more subtlety.”

Despite the criticism, Jackson’s social media presence appears unfazed. His TikTok account has continued posting videos in recent days, including lighthearted dance clips and game-day celebrations alongside his brother, Patrick. In fact, the Mahomes family has remained mostly silent on Jackson’s controversies, instead maintaining a unified front in public appearances — including their recent celebration of Patrick’s Super Bowl LVIII victory.

The Mahomes brothers share a close relationship, and Jackson is often seen cheering on Patrick from the sidelines, sometimes alongside Brittany Mahomes and the couple’s three children. The family’s tightly knit image has become part of the NFL star’s larger brand — something Jackson’s scandals have, at times, threatened to complicate.

For now, though, Jackson seems committed to reclaiming his own narrative — even if it means stirring the pot. Whether this bold TikTok marks a true personal turning point or just another headline in a long line of drama remains to be seen.

But one thing is clear: Jackson Mahomes isn’t fading into the background anytime soon.