Earlier this week, Al. B Sure!—real name Albert Joseph Brown III—took to Instagram to post a photo of himself with Williams as he shared a health update.
He captioned the image: “Please pray for my better looking twin brother in a coma.”
While the “Nite and Day” singer, 53, referred to Williams, 54, as his brother, it has been reported by multiple outlets that they’re cousins.
The Instagram post sparked an outpouring of supportive messages from a host of celebrities, including Big Daddy Kane, Stephanie Mills, Bill Bellamy, Cynthia Bailey, and DJ Quik.
When TV personality Claudia Jordan commented on the post, Al B. Sure! responded that he was “trying to reach” Williams.
Actress and singer Porscha Coleman also shared a snapshot of herself posing alongside Williams on her Instagram account on Tuesday, describing him as a “fighter.”
“Please pray for this wonderful soul & my dear friend, @officialchristopherwilliams,” she wrote alongside the image. “He’s currently hospitalized & not doing well 😔🙏🏽.
“He has such a big heart, one of the funniest laughs, and one of the best voices of his generation. He’s a fighter! He’s strong! Please send all your prayers up for him, his children, and family at this time. Thanks. Love you, CW!”
On Tuesday night, however, a post was shared across Williams’ social media accounts denying the claim that the “I’m Dreamin’” singer was in a coma.
“Contrary to reports on social media, Christopher Williams is NOT in a coma and is in stable condition and resting comfortably,” read a statement alongside a photo of the star onstage. “Thank you for all of your prayers and well wishes.”
The nature of Williams’ potential health issue has not been publicly revealed.
Newsweek has contacted representatives of Williams and Al B. Sure! for comment.
Williams enjoyed immense fame in the early 1990s thanks to his R&B hits, including “Everything Little Thing U Do,” and his role in the classic movie New Jack City.
He is also a nephew of legendary singer Ella Fitzgerald, of whom he said in a previous interview with S&S Chicago: “I can’t sing anywhere near like her! I think her influence was just setting the path before me.
“I think being related to her, her just being my aunt, and seeing her flip a switch and into an icon, it definitely, at a young age, instilled in me what was tangible for me with hard work and faith.”
Williams is a father of three. His middle child, son Austin, was born in 1990, from his relationship with Clueless star Stacey Dash.
