LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Fans of music would naturally picture comedian Nick Canon as the most well-known father figure because he is the proud father of 12 children, but now musician Ne-Yo, 43, has entered the list because he is also an honored dad of numerous children. The 'So Sick' singer, whose real name is Shaffer Chimere Smith posted a rare photo of his seven children on Instagram on Friday, July 7 and fans couldn't help but compare him to the 'Masked Singer' host.
In the first image, Ne-Yo was pictured with his youngest daughter Isabella Rose, age 2. The Grammy winner is seen holding his oldest daughter Madilyn Grace, 12, in the following photo while also standing next to the youngest one. In the third shot, Mason Evan, 11, and Shaffer Chimere Jr, 7, perched on top of a counter, smiling, as Mason's younger brother Roman Alexander-Raj, 5, reached for Mason's hand. In addition to a couple more candid photos, Ne-Yo also posted a family picture of his entire brood, including boys Braiden, 2, and Brixton, 3 months, all wearing matching white shirts and blue trousers.
'I’m a FATHER before I’m anything else'
"I’m a FATHER before I’m anything else. Not money, not fame, not even the love of the craft. I do this for THEM. THEY are my reason," Ne-Yo captioned the Instagram post. "I’m nowhere near perfect and that’s ok. My kids love me," he continued. "And I’d die, kill, steal, whatever to make sure they never need for anything. The best thing I’ve ever done?."
The 'Miss Independent' singer, 43 added, "I LOVE MY TRIBE!! I LOVE MY SQUAD!! AND I WILL FOR ALL OF THIS LIFE AND THE NEXT…AND THE NEXT! ??????????," along with the hashtag #DaddyLovesYou following one for each of his kids.
'You catching up Nick Cannon'
Rapper Nick Canon is well-known for being a devoted father to his children. It has been said that he sees his 12 children as a calling from God. This has fans wondering how close Ne-Yo was to catching up to the 'Masked Singer' host. A fan wrote, "I didn't realize Neyo had that many children. He trying to catch up with Eddie Murphy & Nick Cannon with Diddy creeping up as well....?" Another said, "He got 7 kids Lord what he was hidden them ???close to nick kannan ????
"When did Neyo get all these kids? I only knew about monyettas 2 and the one with his ex wife… ?," commented another user. "You catching up Nick Cannon," noted another. One confused fan said, "He had 3 or 4 with Crystal? Cause this count look off to me? I see an extra lil one I can’t account for?! Somebody help me out." "Damn I didn't know he had so many kids ?♀️ he's in competition with Nick Cannon...lol," claimed another
Who are Ne-Yo's children?
According to Page Six, Ne-Yo has Shaffer, Roman, and Isabella with ex-wife Crystal Renay, Madilyn and Mason Grace with ex-fiancé Monyette Shaw, and sons Braiden and Brixton with ex-girlfriend Sadé Jenea.
