R&B star Ne-Yo has candidly discussed the details of his unconventional personal life, revealing he is in a committed polyamorous relationship with three women. The 46-year-old singer explained his approach to love following his highly publicised divorce from Crystal Renay in 2023.
From Divorce to a New Relationship Model
Ne-Yo, whose real name is Shaffer Chimere Smith, made the revelations during an appearance on Sherri Shepherd's talk show, "Sherri," on Friday. He stated that his "very public, very ugly divorce" led him to vow never to lie to a woman again. Renay, the mother of three of his seven children, filed for divorce after Ne-Yo fathered a child with another woman during their marriage.
"I own the thing that I did in that marriage to mess it up," the Grammy winner told Shepherd. "I own it completely. And I decided I didn't want to be the reason that anybody ever felt like that ever again." This commitment to radical honesty became the foundation for his current arrangement.
Building a Partnership with Three Personalities
The singer described how he presented the idea of a polyamorous dynamic to one girlfriend, with whom he had been involved the longest. He expressed his love for her but was transparent about his connections with other women, inviting her to meet them. All three women—Arielle Hill, Cristina, and Moneii—chose to "stick around," forming what Ne-Yo calls "one relationship with three people." A fourth woman, dancer Brionna Williams, was previously part of the group but is no longer involved.
Ne-Yo emphasised that he views the dynamic as a partnership, not ownership. However, he was clear about exclusivity: the women have given their exclusivity to him, and he does not permit them to date other men. "If you gave it to me, it's mine and that's that," he stated.
Valentine's Day and the Ethic of Hard Work
When it comes to celebrations like Valentine's Day, the "Sexy Love" singer avoids generic gestures. He makes a concerted effort to tailor gifts and experiences to each woman's distinct personality, steering clear of "blanket stuff" like identical bouquets of red roses.
When host Sherri Shepherd, 58, suggested this personalised approach seemed like more effort, Ne-Yo smiled and replied, "I've never been afraid of hard work. Never ever." This philosophy extends to his parenting; he has previously stated he is honest about his relationship structure with his seven children, asserting, "I'm not lying to anybody, not even my children."
