Ne-Yo has revealed that he is open and transparent with his children about his polyamorous relationships as he expands his romantic circle to include a fourth partner.
The R&B star, born Shaffer Chimere Smith, discussed his approach to parenting and relationships during a recent appearance on the Rickey Smiley Morning Show.
Honesty With His Children
When asked if his children question his unconventional lifestyle, the 45-year-old singer admitted: “Of course they do. And I answer them. Honestly. Again, I’m not lying to nobody, not even my children.”
He explained how he introduces his partners to his kids, saying: “It’s like, ‘Hey, this is daddy’s girlfriend. And so is that, and so is that. And so is that.’ “
Ne-Yo also shared that each of his partners plays a role in his household, telling his children: “She gonna make you some cereal. She gonna cook lunch. And she gonna wash your clothes.’ And it’s all good.”
He emphasized that his setup is about family and community, adding, “That’s what it’s about.”
His Expanding Family
Ne-Yo is a father of seven children:
With ex-fiancée Monyetta Shaw-Carter:
- Madilyn Grace (born 2010)
- Mason Evan (born 2011)
With ex-wife Crystal Renay:
- Shaffer Chimere Jr. (born 2016)
- Roman Alexander-Raj (born 2018)
- Isabella Rose (born 2021)
With influencer Sade Jenea Bagnerise:
- Braiden (born 2021)
- Brixton (born 2023)
Managing Multiple Relationships
Confirming that he currently has four girlfriends, Ne-Yo dismissed the idea that he has to juggle relationships.
“It’s not about juggling. The key ingredient to making it work is honesty. Everybody gotta be telling the truth, you know what I mean?” he said.
Addressing a recent viral photo where he was seen with three women, Ne-Yo clarified: “There’s four of them total. There were just three there that particular night. It works. Everybody’s honest, everybody’s telling the truth. Everybody’s consenting.”
Reflecting on past relationships, the singer suggested that had he been honest from the beginning, he could have avoided “a lot of headache and heartache.”
Past Relationship Drama
Ne-Yo’s polyamorous lifestyle comes after his high-profile split from ex-wife Crystal Renay in July 2022.
She publicly accused him of cheating in an explosive Instagram post, writing: “8 years. 8 years of lies and deception. 8 years of unknowingly sharing my life and my husband with numerous women who sell their bodies to him unprotected… every last one of them!”
Despite the controversy, Ne-Yo appears committed to embracing radical honesty in his relationships moving forward.
