Crystal Renay opens up about her divorce from her husband, Ne-Yo. During an appearance on Thursday’s episode of The Breakfast ClubThe Bold & Bougie star opened up about what led her to file for divorce from the R&B singer two years ago.
Crystal, who filed for divorce in 2022, tells the radio show hosts that she was behind her husband’s appearance on the show that same year that she suspected him of cheating on her. “Remember when you all asked him the question: Would it be okay for him not to know if his partner was cheating? He said, ‘I would live in a blissful bubble,'” she recalls.
The model said her ex’s response made her uncomfortable. “Someone sent this to me and something in my stomach said, ‘Uh, uh, something’s wrong. Does he want me to think like that?’” she added.
Crystal claimed she “found everything I needed to find that day” after hearing the interview and “left that day.”
Ne-Yo and Crystal met in 2015 when she auditioned for one of his music videos. The singer was working on his sixth studio album, Non-fiction books, by the time. After less than a year of dating, the couple announced they were engaged and expecting their first child together. They tied the knot in February 2016.
In 2020, two years after the birth of her second child, Ne-Yo filed for divorce. The couple was able to resolve their differences later that year and reunited on New Year’s Eve 2021 with the singer proposing to Crystal again lavish ceremony in Las VegasNe-Yo and Crystal celebrated a second wedding and the couple welcomed their third child in June of that year.
In June 2022, ET spoke with Ne-Yo about his album’s lead single“Don’t Love Me,” an open letter to his wife about a time when their marriage was on the rocks.
“When she first heard the song, it reminded her of the time when I wrote the song,” Ne-Yo told ET at the time. “It was a tearful moment because the song was written when we were potentially going through a divorce.”
The “Knock You Down” singer said at the time that the couple was doing well following the release of the single and their second wedding. “I can say that now. “I didn’t realize it at the moment, but I can say now that I tried to talk things out with the open letter,” Ne-Yo said. “I tried to tell her that I can’t be who she deserves. When I realized what I wanted and who I needed to be for her, [boom] We are in a great place.
Two months later, Crystal filed for divorce, claiming that Ne-Yo had recently fathered a child with another woman and citing that their union was “irretrievably broken and without hope of reconciliation.” The date of separation was given as July 22, 2022.
The former couple shares three children together; Shaffer Chimere Jr., Roman Alexander-Raj and Isabella Rose. Ne-Yo, whose real name is Shaffer Chimere Smith, also shares Madilyn Grace and Mason Evan with his ex-fiancée Monyette Shaw, and Braiden and Brixton with his ex-girlfriend Sadé Jenea.
Crystal public signaled the end of their marriage on Instagram, where she shared a long message accusing her husband of infidelity.
“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 single one of them! To say I am heartbroken and disgusted is an understatement,” Crystal wrote in the note, which was simply titled “God bless.”
“To ask me to stay and accept it is absolutely crazy. The mentality of a narcissist. I will no longer lie to the public or pretend that this is something it isn’t. I choose myself, I choose my happiness, my health and my life. “I gained three beautiful children as a result, but nothing but wasted years and heartache,” she added.
In response to Crystal’s allegations: Ne-Yo went to X (formerly Twitter) make a statement. “For the sake of our children, my family and I will face our challenges behind closed doors,” he wrote.
Accordingly TMZThe former couple’s divorce was finalized in January 2023 and they share joint custody of their three children.
Last July, the R&B singer shared a rare photo with all seven of his children on Instagram, reflecting on his most important role in life with a heartfelt caption. Wearing matching white T-shirts and blue jeans, Ne-Yo happily poses on a couch with all seven of his children. He also shared a carousel of various photos showcasing some of his family’s recent memorable moments together.
“I am a FATHER before I am anything else. No money, no fame, not even the love of the craft. I do this for YOU. YOU are my reason,” he wrote. “I’m far from perfect and that’s okay. My children love me. And I would die, kill, steal, whatever to make sure they never need anything. Best thing I’ve ever done🥰”
The musician doubled down with one final thought: “I LOVE MY TRIBE!!
Monyette Shaw took to the comments to praise her ex as a father.
“That’s what it’s all about!!! Those priceless moments with the children that they will remember forever! GREAT JOB and thank you for having my bonus baby Gigi!” The Real Housewives of Atlanta “star” wrote, referring to her now-husband Heath Carter’s daughter. “They’re still talking about it… talking to the President of the United States and all the fun in the White House! Thank you! 💪🏽💪🏽🔥🔥❤️”
Watch Crystal’s full performance The Breakfast Club below.
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