Porsha Williams is back for The Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 16, and she has a lot of major updates to share. Although so much has gone on in her life since RHOA Season 13, one thing that has not changed is her mutual relationship with her ex-fiancé, Dennis McKinley.
Dennis took to his Instagram account on Feb. 13 where the Atlanta businessman posted a photo alongside Porsha and their 5-year-old daughter, Pilar Jhena “PJ” McKinley, and gave a major update on their co-parenting relationship.
Wondering what else Dennis is up to? Get the latest information about Dennis and Porsha’s relationship, his businesses, and his work with a new (but familiar) collaborator.
Dennis McKinley posts on Instagram with Porsha Williams and PJ
In the photo shared by Dennis, the father of one can be seen standing next to Porsha and some family members (including his mother, Gina) in a kitchen, with his hands on PJ’s shoulders. Both Dennis and Porsha are photographed smiling with PJ looking so pleased to be surrounded by both of her parents. Dennis then took to the caption of the post, where he revealed his dedication to his ex and their daughter.
“Always gon ride here idgaf what’s going on,” he captioned the photo alongside the word “family.”
Inside Dennis McKinley and Pilar Jhena’s relationship
In a 2020 interview with The Daily Dish, Dennis shed some light on his life as a dad to PJ. “I think every dad wants to be a good dad, right; nobody wants to be a bad father, so with PJ I’m learning that she’s independent (she doesn’t like to be picked up, she doesn’t want you to feed her, she plays by herself). So I’m excited to allow her to make her own decisions, to grow in her own individuality,” he shared at the time. “Right, so my philosophy is this is my kid now, but one day she will be someone else’s leader! I’ll help her connect those dots over the next 20 years.”
(You can read more from Dennis about being a dad here.)
Are Dennis McKinley and Porsha Williams still together?
Although they will always “ride” for one another, Porsha and Dennis are not together romantically. Dennis and Porsha went public with their romance in 2018 and got engaged later that year, before welcoming PJ into the world in March 2019. But, they later broke up in 2019 before getting the chance to say “I do” after they experienced problems in their relationship.
What does Dennis McKinley do for a living?
Wheh he’s not co-parenting with Porsha, Dennis has been very busy with his own businesses. Dennis is the mastermind behind Detroit Equities, which is the umbrella company for a family of brands, including: CRU Lounge, a chain of hookah lounges; NYAK Cognac, his own cognac brand; All Star Kid, a company dedicated to teaching kids through entertainment, and MusicXchange, an app that supports the crowdfunding and distribution of music.
Dennis McKinley’s hot dog business update
Dennis is also the brains behind The Original Hot Dog Factory, a chain that serves hot dogs dressed up in a number of ways, in addition to burgers, fries, and a number of other proteins. After Dennis opened up his business to franchise opportunities in 2019, two franchise owners acquired the brand in 2023. Under the new ownership, The Original Hot Dog Factory hopes to expand the brand to over 100 locations in the future.
Dennis McKinley teases “next concept” in his businesses
Dennis’ next concept, however, is already on the horizon. He recently took to his Instagram Story where he revealed that he was looking for some help in launching a brand new food concept — but he didn’t share too many details. “I’m searching for an Executive Chef for my next concept!” he wrote in the story. “Culinary training preferred!”
Dennis posts a photo looking for an executive chef for his next concept to his Instagram Story.
Photo: Dennis Mckinley/Instagram
Is Dennis McKinley working with Drew Sidora?
Dennis is also working with RHOA Season 16 cast member, Drew Sidora, on her music career (see this teased in the RHOA Season 16 trailer above). Dennis most recently helped write and produce Drew’s latest single, “I Did It To Me.” Drew took to Instagram on Dec. 12, where she thanked Dennis for his help with the track.
“Appreciate you BRO for giving me this outlet and this opportunity to tell my story AND through the most incredible music!” she wrote. “Grateful for your belief in me and pushing me, even when I got scared and fearful to do so. PLEASE KNOW…we’ve been working so incredibly hard and fighting blood, sweat, and tears to make great music and tell my story to share with y’all….”
“Yesss the album is coming soon, so please stay tuned…” she concluded in the post.