NE-YO’s 7 Children: Everything to Know

NE-YO’s children make him feel “blessed”.

The “Let Me Love You” singer, born Shaffer Chimere Smith, is the proud father of seven children. He welcomed his first daughter Madilyn Grace in 2010 and son Mason Evan in 2011 with his ex-fiancée, The Real Housewives of Atlanta star Monyetta Shaw-Carter.

After his split with the reality star, NE-YO married Crystal Renay. The couple had three children together before they finalized their divorce in January 2023: Shaffer Chimere Jr. was born in 2016, Roman Alexander-Raj joined the family in 2018, and Isabella Rose welcomed in 2021.

The Grammy winner’s youngest children, Braiden and Brixton, were born in 2021 and 2023, respectively, to influencer Sada Jene Bagnerisa.

In September 2011, NE-YO told PEOPLE, “[Fatherhood] it’s been a ride, but I’m loving every minute of it.”

The R&B star said his children have even helped him in his career. “I don’t know about other entertainers and their kids, but my kids actually love my music,” he told PEOPLE in 2021. “They’re actually the best people you can get reviews from about my music.”

The Masked singer the winner continued: “I usually play their song and if they like it, I know I’m going in the right direction.”

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Here’s everything there is to know about NE-YO’s seven children, Madilyn, Mason, Shaffer Jr., Roman, Isabella, Braiden and Brixton.

Madilyn Grace Shaw-Smith, 13

NE-YO’s daughter Madilyn Grace Shaw-Smith.

Ne-Yo’s Instagram

NE-YO and Monyetta welcomed Madilyn Grace Shaw-Smith on November 12, 2010.

“I’ve been in love before, but this is like nothing I’ve ever felt,” the singer-songwriter told PEOPLE after the birth of his daughter. “It’s like I’m in love for the first time.”

NE-YO dedicated his 2012 song “Alone With You (Maddie’s Song)” to his oldest child, and in an Instagram post marking National Daughter’s Day 2019, the singer said his firstborn was “one of the few things I got how should already in the first attempt.”

He described Madilyn in a 2021 birthday Instagram post as “a leader, an amazing big sister,” as well as “smart, talented, compassionate, beautiful, brave” and “smart.”

For her 13th birthday in November 2023, Monyetta and NE-YO threw a joint party for the teenager and her brother Mason. The father-of-seven took to Instagram to pay tribute to her celebration, writing: “There are no words to express how proud I am to be your father.”

He continued, “The world will try to break your spirit and tell you what to be. I’d worry if I didn’t know how strong and smart you are. Shine on my love. And if anything ever shakes You, know for sure that Daddy will ALWAYS be there to hold you.”

Madilyn shares an Instagram account and YouTube channel with her younger brother Mason.

Mason Evan Shaw-Smith, 12

NE-YO son Mason Evan Shaw-Smith.

Ne-Yo’s Instagram

NE-YO and Monyetta welcomed their son Mason Evan Shaw-Smith on October 9, 2011.

He is the inspiration behind his mother’s 2020 book The Chronicles of the Handsome Maso, which “shows what happens when one boy’s kindness becomes his humble superpower,” according to the book’s website.

NE-YO promoted the book in an Instagram video at the time, joking that he might be responsible for his son being “really good at singing” and “really good at dancing.”

The “Miss. Independent” singer also described Mason as “really funny” and a “super nice guy.”

In 2021, NE-YO’s eldest son released his first music video for the book’s theme song, “Nice Guy, Good Guy.” In the visual, Mason dances and sings with his dad and sister.

On his 12th birthday in October 2023, NE-YO posted a photo of himself and his first-born son on Instagram. “One of the joys of my existence is watching your personality blossom. You’re funny, smart and talented, sure… but above all that, you’re a genuinely good person,” the singer wrote in the description. “I always want to help those in need. Not for any reward. But because it’s the right thing to do.”

He continued, “You’re a classy little guy and I’m proud to be your daddy!!”

Shaffer Chimere “SJ” Smith Jr., 7

NE-YO’s son Shaffer Chimere “SJ” Smith Jr.

Ne-Yo’s Instagram

NE-YO and Crystal welcomed their first child together, Shaffer Chimere “SJ” Smith Jr., on March 15, 2016, three weeks after their wedding.

When Shaffer was just 5 months old, his parents took him to his red carpet debut at the Teen Choice Awards.

Like his older siblings, Shaffer also has a public Instagram account that he shares with his younger sibling. In 2018, the account posted a picture of NE-YO and Shaffer with the caption, “Daddy came home yesterday in time to take me to school for the first time! 🤗 He’s the best dad ever!”

Shaffer attended the 2019 NAACP Image Awards with his dad and his siblings. The children’s Instagram account posted pictures from the event. “Our dad is the coolest😎 We love you!” the inscription read.

2021, when Shaffer Jr. finished preschool. NE-YO shared a photo of his son wearing a cap and gown on Instagram. “Proud of you, little man,” he wrote alongside the photo. “Daddy loves you!”

Roman Alexander-Raj Smith, 5

NE-YO’s son Roman Alexander-Raj Smith.

Ne-Yo’s Instagram

NE-YO and Crystal welcomed Roman Alexander-Raj Smith on June 14, 2018.

When the singer and his then-wife announced they were expecting their second child together, Crystal posted a photo of herself and NE-YO and wrote, “Thank you for choosing us to be your parents!”

The sound of Christmas actor told PEOPLE 2021 that his “favorite Father’s Day gift of all time so far has definitely been” his son Roman. He added, “He was born three years ago on Father’s Day — it’s the biggest one yet.”

In June 2023, NE-YO celebrated Roman’s 5th birthday by posting two photos on Instagram of his son playing. “HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY LIL’ TRUGU!! Daddy loves you Roman!!” the singer wrote in the description.

Isabella Rose Smith, 2

Daughter of NE-YO Isabella Rose Smith.

Ne-Yo’s Instagram

NE-YO and Crystal announced in February 2021 that they are expecting their third child together.

The couple’s daughter, Isabella Rose Smith, arrived on June 25, 2021. “She arrived 4 weeks early, but just in time for mommy!” Crystal wrote in a now-deleted Instagram post from the delivery room. “Born at 11:11 (lucky lil lady) 5 lbs 7 oz of perfection 🥺🥰 My world is finally complete.”

In another Instagram post from June 2021, the proud mom described Isabella as “daddy’s twin.”

For his younger daughter’s 2nd birthday, NE-YO posted a tribute to her on his Instagram. “GOD THANK YOU FOR BLESSING ME WITH THIS LIL’ LOT OF ENERGY AND ATTITUDE,” he wrote in the caption. “I LOVE YOU MY LIL’ PRINCESS!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY BELLA BELLA!! DADDY LOVES YOU!!”

Braiden and Brixton Smith

NE-YO welcomed his sons Braiden and Brixton Smith with Sade in 2021 and 2023, respectively.

For Mother’s Day 2023, NE-YO shared a post on Instagram that included photos of his mom, his sister, and the three “beautiful mothers of my beautiful children”: Monyetta, Crystal, and Sade.

In July of the same year, the singer posted a photo on Instagram with his seven children, holding Braiden and Brixton.

“I am a FATHER before I am anything else. Not money, not fame, not even love for the craft,” he wrote in the description. “I’m nowhere near perfect and that’s okay. My kids love me… The best thing I’ve ever done.”

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Source: HIS Education