NE-YO, whose real name is Shaffer Chimere Smith, embraces openness and honesty with his children, revealing in a recent episode of the Rickey Smiley Morning Show that he candidly discusses his polyamorous relationship style with his seven offspring. The 45-year-old singer-songwriter was questioned about whether his kids ever inquire about his unconventional dating life, and he responded, "Absolutely, they do. And I respond to them truthfully. I don't deceive anyone, even my own children." He further elaborated, "I just tell them, 'This is Daddy's girlfriend, and so is she, and so is she, and so is she.'"
NE-YO, famous for his hit song "Let Me Love You," explained that each of his partners plays a distinct role in their household. Describing his conversations with his children, he said, "'She'll make you breakfast cereal, prepare your lunch, and even wash your clothes.' And everything is perfectly fine with that."
"It's family," NE-YO insisted. "It's a community. That's what truly matters."
The Grammy Award winner welcomed his first daughter, Madilyn Grace, in 2010, and his son, Mason Evan, in 2011, with his former fiancée, Monyetta Shaw-Carter, who stars in Real Housewives of Atlanta. He also shares three children with his ex-wife, Crystal Renay: Shaffer Chimere Jr., born in 2016; Roman Alexander-Raj, born in 2018; and Isabella Rose, born in 2021. NE-YO's youngest children, Braiden and Brixton, born in 2021 and 2023 respectively, are with influencer Sade Jenea Bagnerise.
During his appearance on the morning show, NE-YO confirmed that he currently has four girlfriends. Speaking about how he manages these relationships, he said, "It's not about juggling. It's really not. The crucial element for making it work is honesty. Everyone must be truthful, you understand?"
Addressing a recent photograph that showed him with three women, the singer clarified, "There are actually four of them in total. It was just those three particular women who were there that night. It works. Everyone is honest, everyone is truthful, and everyone consents."
NE-YO also reflected on his past relationships, stating, "I feel like I wasted a lot of time being dishonest. If I had taken this honest approach initially, I could have spared myself a lot of pain and heartache."
In July 2022, Renay announced her separation from NE-YO in a passionate Instagram caption accusing him of infidelity. "8 years. 8 years of lies and deception," she wrote. "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!"
"To say I'm heartbroken and disgusted is an understatement," she continued. "To ask me to stay and accept it is absolutely insane. It's the mentality of a narcissist. I will no longer lie to the public or pretend that this is something it isn't. I choose me, I choose my happiness, my health, and my respect."
On Sunday, February 23, NE-YO shared a photo of his youngest son, Brixton, on Instagram to celebrate his second birthday. "HAPPY BDAY TO MY BABY BOY," the proud father captioned several photos of the toddler smiling while playing with a toy car. "I'm blessed to be your father. DADDY LOVES YOU!!!!"
