What you need to know
Ne-Yo is trying to end “one relationship” with three women.
The 46-year-old Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and producer appeared on Sherry on Wednesday, January 14, to detail his unconventional love life.
The “So Sick” singer, whose real name is Shafer Chaimia Smith, has publicly dated Ariel Hill, Christina and Monáe.
When Ne-Yo asked host Sherri Shepherd, 58, what she didn’t know about his relationship, she replied, “Nothing!” Ask him to explain.
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“I’ll talk about this briefly,” he began. “So after a very public, very ugly divorce, I decided I would never lie to a woman again in my life.”
In August 2022, the musician’s then-wife Crystal Renee filed for divorce, claiming that he had fathered a child with another woman. He and Krystal have three children, Shafer Chaimia Jr. (9 years old), Roman Alexander-Large (6 years old), and Isabella Rose (4 years old).
Their divorce was finalized in February 2023, and he has four more children from two other relationships.
“What I did to ruin my marriage was my responsibility. It was my full responsibility,” Ne-Yo told Shepard, adding, “And I decided I never wanted to cause anyone to feel that way again.”
He then explained that his current girlfriend, “one of the three,” had been with him longer than the others when he approached her with the idea of a polyamorous relationship.
“Basically I went to her and said, ‘Listen, you know I rock with you. You know I love you, but I have to be honest with you. It’s not just you. I want you to meet these other women, and if we can find a way to do something together, that’s cool. If not, that’s cool too,” he said.
Ne-Yo said he left it up to all involved parties to decide whether to proceed together.
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“Everyone has chosen to stay here,” the “Let Me Love You” singer said. “The main thing I understand is that I’m not in three relationships. I’m in one relationship with three people.”
“We’re figuring out how to make it all work,” he continued, noting that each woman “gets their own individual time,” even though “group time is just as important.”
He also said that on holidays like Valentine’s Day, you can’t do something “inclusive” like giving every woman a red rose because it won’t work for everyone.
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Apparently intrigued, Shepard said that coming up with thoughtful, personalized gifts for three women with different personalities “seemed to be more of a challenge.”
“I’ve never been afraid of hard work. Never have,” he replied with a smile.
