The 'Bold & Bougie' star shared what led her to file for divorce from the R&B singer two years ago.
Crystal Renay is opening up about her divorce from her husband, Ne-Yo. During an appearance on Thursday's episode of The Breakfast Club, the Bold & Bougie star shared 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's hosts that it was after her husband's appearance on the show in the same year that she suspected him of cheating on her. "Remember when y'all asked him the question, would he be OK not knowing if his partner cheating? He was like, 'I would live in a blissful bubble,'" she recalled.
The model said that her ex's answer made her feel uneasy. "Somebody sent me that and something in my stomach said, 'Uhn uhn, something ain't right. Is that how he wants me to think?'” she added.
Crystal alleged that she "found everything that I needed to find that day," after hearing the interview and "left that day."
Ne-Yo and Crystal met in 2015 when she auditioned to be in one of his music videos. The singer was working on his sixth studio album, Non-Fiction, at the time. After less than a year of dating, the couple announced they were engaged and expecting their first child together. They went on to tie the knot in February 2016.
In 2020, two years after the birth of their second child, Ne-Yo filed for divorce. The couple was able to reconcile their differences later that year and got back together with the singer re-proposing to Crystal on New Year's Eve of 2021. In a lavish Las Vegas ceremony, Ne-Yo and Crystal had a second wedding and the couple welcomed their third child in June of that year.
In June 2022, ET spoke to Ne-Yo about his album's lead single, "Don't Love Me," which was 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 we were in when I wrote the song," Ne-Yo told ET at the time. "That was kind of a teary moment because the song was written in the throes of us potentially getting a divorce."
The "Knock You Down" singer said at the time that the pair was in a good space, following the release of the single and their second wedding. "I can say this now. I didn't realize it in the moment but I can say this now, that the open letter was me trying to cop out," Ne-Yo said. "It was me trying to tell her that I couldn't be who she deserves. Once I realized what I wanted and who I needed to be for her, [boom] we're in a great place."
Two months later, Crystal filed for divorce, alleging that Ne-Yo recently fathered a child with another woman and citing that their union was "irretrievably broken with no hope for reconciliation." The date of separation was listed 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 ex-fiance, Monyette Shaw, and Braiden and Brixton with ex-girlfriend, Sadé Jenea.
Crystal publicly signaled the end of their marriage on Instagram, where she shared a lengthy message accusing her husband of infidelity.
"8 Years. 8 Years of lies and deception. 8 years of unknowingly sharing my life and husband with numerous women who sell their bodies to him unprotected.. every last one of them! To say I'm heartbroken and disgusted is a understatement," Crystal wrote in the note that was simply captioned, "God bless."
"To ask me to stay and accept it is absolutely insane. The mentality of a narcissist. I will no longer lie to the public or pretend that this is something it isn't. I choose me, I choose my happiness and health and my respect. I gained 3 beautiful children out of this but nothing else but wasted years and heartache," she added.
Responding to Crystal's allegations, Ne-Yo took to X (formerly Twitter) to release a statement. "For the sake of our children, my family and I will work through our challenges behind closed doors,” he wrote.
According to TMZ, the 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 coordinating white T-shirts and blue jeans, Ne-Yo poses happily with all seven of his kids on a couch. He also shared a carousel of various photos showing a few of his family's latest memorable moments together.
"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," he wrote. "I’m nowhere near perfect and that’s ok. My kids love me. And I’d die, kill, steal, whatever to make sure they never need for anything. The best thing I’ve ever done🥰"
The musician doubled down with one final thought, "I LOVE MY TRIBE!! I LOVE MY SQUAD!! AND I WILL FOR ALL OF THIS LIFE AND THE NEXT…AND THE NEXT! 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰"
Monyette Shaw took to the comments to praise her ex as a father.
"This is what it’s all about!!! These priceless moments with the kids that they will cherish forever! GREAT JOB & thank you for including my bonus baby Gigi!" the Real Housewives of Atlanta star wrote, referencing the daughter of her now-husband, Heath Carter. "They are still talking about it……talking to The President of The United States & all the fun at The White House! Thanks tons! 💪🏽💪🏽🔥🔥❤️"
Watch Crystal's full appearance on The Breakfast Club below.
RELATED CONTENT:
