LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Ne-Yo recently found himself in the midst of controversy over remarks he made in an interview concerning gender identity and the upbringing of transgender children. In a recent interview, the singer expressed his aversion to the notion of parents supporting their children who come out as transgender, especially at a young age.
"I just personally come from an era where a man was a man and a woman was a woman," Ne-Yo said in the clip. "And there was two genders, and that's just how I rocked. You could identify as a goldfish if you feel like, I don't care - that ain't my business. It becomes my business when you try to make me play the game with you. I'm not gonna call you a goldfish; but if you wanna be a goldfish, you go be a goldfish."
Initially, an apology was issued on his behalf, but in a subsequent statement posted on his social media platforms, Ne-Yo walked back the apology, providing further context and expressing ongoing support for the LGBTQI+ community. In a video posted to his Instagram on Monday, August 7, Ne-Yo (real name Shaffer Chimere Smith) stated that his fans deserved to hear his thoughts directly "from the horse's mouth" rather than through a publicist's statement on social media.
Why did Ne-Yo take back his apology?
In the video, Ne-Yo said, "All right, listen, I normally don't give too much of a damn about what y'all think about what I do, what y'all have to say about what I say, whatever. I normally don't care because like I said, opinions ain't special. Everybody got one. However, this is something I feel very strongly on. And I need y'all to hear this from the horse's mouth, not the publicist's computer. So, check this out. First and foremost, I did not apologize for having an opinion on this matter."
He continued, "I'm a 43 year old heterosexual man raising five boys and two girls, okay? That's my reality. Now, if my opinion offended somebody, yeah, sure. I apologize for you being offended because that wasn't my intention. My intention is never to offend anybody. However, I'm entitled to feel how I feel. I'm absolutely entitled to feel how I feel the same way you are entitled to feel how you feel. I ain't asked nobody to follow me, I ain't asked nobody to agree with me," he added.
"I was asked a question and I answered the damn question, okay? I have no beef with the LBGTQIA+ community whatsoever. I got no beef with y'all, do whatever the hell it is you want to do. Do what you want to do with your kids. However, somebody asked my opinion on this matter, and this is how I feel, I will never be okay with allowing a child to make a decision that detrimental to their life. I will never be okay with that," he said.
Ne-Yo clarified that although he intends to educate himself further on the matter, he does not believe that "there's any book anywhere or any opinion that somebody is gonna tell me that's gonna make me okay with letting a child make a decision like that." "And that's how I feel. If I get canceled for this, then you know what, maybe this is a world where they don't need a Ne-Yo no more. And I ain't got no problem with that. I'm a hustler, all right, and I'll figure it out. I got kids to raise and I'm gonna do that regardless. I love everybody. Live how you want to live. Love how you want to love, but your opinion is yours. Speak your opinion as much as you feel like it, because as I said, they're not special," he added.
'I will not be bullied into apologizing...'
The caption accompanying the video read, "Ok. This sh*t is getting out of hand. FROM THE HORSE’S MOUTH. I WILL NOT BE BULLIED INTO APOLOGIZING FOR HAVING AN OPINION. AGREEING TO DISAGREE IS NOT A DECLARATION OF WAR. Lord knows I ain’t perfect, I’ve made my mistakes indeed. And I’ve apologized to the people I’ve hurt for those mistakes. I couldn’t cast a stone if I wanted to, which I don’t. And I haven’t. My intention is never to offend anybody…but my opinion is MINE and I’m entitled to it. I don’t care what y’all do with yours. That’s YOURS. This is how I FEEL. If one of my 7 kids were to decide that he or she wanted to be something other than what they were born as, once they’re old enough and mature enough to make that decision…so be it. Not gonna love em’ any less. Daddy is still Daddy and he loves you regardless. But this isn’t even a discussion until they are MENTALLY MATURE ENOUGH to have such a discussion. Period. Point blank. Whatever. Y’all do y’all, imma do me and we can agree to disagree and coexist PEACEFULLY. LOVE IS THE ONLY TRUE POWER."
'I'm not buying this sudden reversal'
However, the singer's decision to retract his previous apology and his recent remarks on transgender issues have not been well-received by some. One person wrote on Twitter, "Fire the publicist for putting words in his mouth or I'm not buying this sudden reversal." Another asked, "His apology backfired/wasn't effective enough so he walks back (his) apology to reclaim his original position?" A third wrote, "He hasn’t been relevant since the early 2000’s."
'Never apologize to those losers'
Meanwhile, there are also supporters who stand by the singer. "This is what the world needs. People who aren’t afraid to speak about what they’re thinking," wrote one person, while another added, "Ne-Yo has children of his own. He’d never let them make detrimental transitioning decisions. He cares too much about them. And he doesn’t care if you cancel him." A third wrote, "Good for Ne-Yo. Taking a stand against the woke mafia." "Sounds like a person worth listening to. Never apologize to those losers," added a fourth.
Who is Ne-Yo married to?
Ne-Yo got married to Crystal Renay in 2016. In April 2022, the couple renewed their vows in a Las Vegas ceremony, seemingly reaffirming their commitment to each other. However, their relationship took a dramatic turn just four months later when Renay filed for divorce, making allegations that Ne-Yo had fathered a child outside of their marriage.
The divorce was finalized on January 26, 2023, marking the official end of their union. The former couple have 3 children together - Isabella Rose, 1, Roman Alexander-Raj, 4, and Shaffer Chimere Jr., 6. He had his youngest two kids, Braiden, 2, and Brixton, 3 months, with social media influencer Sade Bagnerise. Additionally, the singer has two other children Madilyn Grace, 12, and Mason Evan, 11, with ex-fiance Monyette Shaw.
