Ne-Yo says he’s missed out on job opportunities because of his polyamorous relationship with three women.
Ne-Yo is aware that his romantic life is unique, but he is unsure of how it is impacting his career. The musician, whose true name is Shaffer Chimere Smith, disclosed that since he first announced his polyamorous relationship with Cristina (also known as "Pretty Baby"), Arielle Hill (also known as "Twin Flame"), and Moneii (also known as "Phoenix Feather"), his employment opportunities have declined.
“The world is mad at the fact that I'm in a polyamorous relationship,” on the May 7 episode of their Sorry We're Cyrus podcast, the 46-year-old revealed this to Tish and Brandi Cyrus.. “There are people upset. There's deals that I missed out on because they're like, ‘I don't know if we can get behind the whole polyamorous [thing].’ It’s like, ‘Okay what?’”
He is actually unsure of the significance of his private life.
Register for Tekedia Mini-MBA edition 20 (June 8 – Sept 5, 2026).
Register for Tekedia AI in Business Masterclass.
Join Tekedia Capital Syndicate and co-invest in great global startups.
Register for Tekedia AI Lab.
“It's almost like you can be a great person and you can show respect and appreciation,” he added, “but the second you do something that they don't agree with—cancel. And that just doesn't make any sense to me.”
The "One in a Million" singer, who was married to Crystal Renay until 2023, believes that if people took the moment to comprehend his relationship, they would be more understanding.
“You have to witness it,” he stated. “Cause people say the dumbest stuff like, ‘It's degrading.’ Degrading to who? I'm not lying to nobody. Everybody is here by choice. Like who's being degraded? Who's being disrespected? What are you talking about?”
However, concurrently, he “can't give the haters any more energy.”
Ne-Yo has been open and honest about his romantic life ever since he revealed his polyamorous relationship, which at one point involved four women. In fact, in celebration of their anniversary, he recently posted an online homage to Cristina, Arielle, and Moneii.
“Most can only dream of a love like this,” he wrote a description for his May 10 Instagram photo. “Most can only imagine what it feels like to wake up smiling every morning, walking into whatever the day may bring loving life, knowing your team is strong and the love is real. To most it can only be a fantasy. BUT IT’S OUR REALITY. And I recognize you all as the blessings you are.”
It has its highs and lows, though, just like any other relationship.
“We’ve been US for about 3 years now,” he went on to say. “Had our ups and downs, rainy days, sunny days, etc. The good has absolutely outweighed the bad in every way. We are not yet what we ultimately need to be, we are ALL works in progress. But I will match your effort, I will lead with love, and WE will continue to make life lovely for each other.”
Ne-Yo said, "Let 'em say what they want to" in response to the critics. “We happy over here. And we will continue to be so. I LOVE Y’ALL WITH MY EVERYTHING!!”
Uploaded files: