R&B singer Ne-Yo is seeking parental rights for his two youngest children, whom he had with his current girlfriend Sade.
In legal documents obtained by Radar, the singer asserts that he is the biological father of Braiden Bagnerise, born in 2021, and Brixton Smith, born in February 2023. However, he requested a DNA test to confirm the paternity of Brixton.
Ne-Yo is also asking the court to grant him joint legal and physical custody of the kids to allow him to have input on their school and healthcare. He desires a “liberal parenting time schedule” with the children and wants the court to determine the child support amounts he will pay. Ne-Yo claimed that he has supported the kids financially and has exercised parenting time with them on a consistent basis. The singer is also requesting that Braiden’s last name be changed to Smith.
Ne-Yo’s ex-wife, Crystal, filed for divorce last year in Atlanta, citing that Ne-Yo had fathered a child with Sade during their marriage.
Crystal further explained in an Instagram post that her ex-husband cheated throughout their marriage. “8 years of lies and deception. 8 years of unknowingly sharing my life and husband with numerous of women who sell their bodies to him unprotected.”
Ne-Yo later responded to Crystal’s post asking for privacy for his family.
“For the sake of our children, my family and I will work through our challenges behind closed doors. Personal matters are not meant to be addressed and dissected in public forums. I simply ask that you please respect me and my family’s privacy at this time,” he said.
In their divorce settlement, Ne-Yo agreed to pay Crystal a lump sum of $1.6 million, one property, and $20k to help her move. He was also ordered to pay her $12k a month in child support for their three kids and $3k per month in alimony for the next three years. The pair agreed to share joint custody of their kids.
Ne-yo has seven children in all.
