Ne-Yo has issued an apology after being criticised for remarks that he made about gender identity.
In a recent interview, the Miss Independent singer made divisive comments about parents who support their children when their kids share their desire to gender transition.
The father-of-seven said at the time: ‘I feel like the parents have almost forgotten what the role of a parent is.
‘If your little boy comes up to you and says, “Daddy I wanna be a girl,” you just let him rock with that?”
The 43-year-old continued: ‘Like, when did it become a good idea to let a five-year-old, a six-year-old, a 12-year-old, make a life-changing decision? When did that happen? Like, I don’t understand that.’
The musician shared his view that while children should be encouraged to challenge stereotypes, they should be questioned if they say that they want to transition.
‘I can’t take credit for it, but I heard somebody say one time, if your son comes to you and says, “Daddy, I want to be a girl,” ask your son, “Son, what is a girl?” What is he gonna do? He might want to play with dolls,’ he said.
After saying that he came from ‘an era’ where a ‘man was a man and a woman was a woman’ and while he is happy for people to identify how they want to, he won’t ‘play the game’, he stated later on: ‘There was two genders and that’s just how I rocked.
‘You could identify as a goldfish if you feel like, that ain’t my business. It becomes my business when you try to make me play the game. I’m not gonna call you a goldfish.’
Ne-Yo also opined in the interview: ‘When did it become a good idea to let a five-year-old, a six-year-old, a 12-year-old, make a life-changing decision? When did that happen? Like, I don’t understand that.’
In a new statement shared on Twitter (the social media platform now renamed to ‘X’), the musician has now apologised for any offence he might have caused.
I’d like to express my deepest apologies… pic.twitter.com/M5aTFN40tn
— NE-YO (@NeYoCompound) August 7, 2023
‘After much reflection, I’d like to express my deepest apologies to anyone that I may have hurt with my comments on parenting and gender identity,’ he wrote.
‘I’ve always been an advocate for love and inclusivity in the LGBTQI+ community, so I understand how my comments could’ve been interpreted as insensitive and offensive.’
The Grammy winner added that ‘gender identity is nuanced’, and he feels that he can ‘educate’ himself further on the subject.
‘Gender identity is nuanced and I can honestly admit that I plan to better educate myself on the topic, so I can approach future conversations with more empathy,’ he said.
‘At the end of the day, I lead with love and support everyone’s freedom of expression and pursuit of happiness.’
Ne-Yo – real name Shaffer Chimere Smith – has seven children, including Madilyn, 12, and Mason, 11, who he shared with his former fiancée Monyetta Shaw.
The musician had three children with his ex-wife Crystal Renay: Shaffer Jr., seven, Roman, five, and Isabella, two.
He also had Braiden, two, and Brixton, six months, with his ex-girlfriend Sade Jenea.
In a post shared on Instagram in July, Ne-Yo stressed that he’s ‘a FATHER before anything else’.
‘Not money, not fame, not even the love of the craft. I do this for THEM. THEY are my reason. I’m nowhere near perfect and that’s ok. My kids love me,’ he wrote.
Source: Metro UK
