American singer and songwriter Ne-Yo has made a bold revelation about his personal life, sharing that monogamy is not aligned with his truth. In a candid discussion on the new YouTube show Lemon Drop with Karleen Roy, the 45-year-old Grammy-winning artist opened up about relationships, romance, and his journey toward living authentically.
During a lighthearted segment of the show, called “Lemon or Lit,” Ne-Yo reflected on a significant life change that started as a “lemon” but eventually turned into a positive, or “lit,” situation. He revealed that following his 2022 divorce from ex-wife Crystal Renay Williams, he has embraced polyamory—a decision that he says has transformed his life.
“I realized that I’ve not been living my truth for a very, very long time. I’m living it now, and you could tell—my skin is glowing,” Ne-Yo shared with Roy.
The Miss Independent singer acknowledged the societal pressure to conform to monogamous norms, saying, “Society tells you that you’re supposed to be with one person. You get married, and y’all are supposed to be together forever. I’m not shitting on marriage or anyone who has figured out how to make that thing work for them. But monogamy is for you. It’s not for me.”
Ne-Yo described his self-realization as a liberating experience, one that lifted a heavy burden he had carried for years. “I spent so much time lying and trying to be somebody I wasn’t for the sake of somebody else,” he explained. “It was complete and utter time wasted when I could have just been exactly who I am, said exactly what I want, and waited for the people who align with my reality to gravitate toward me.”
The decision to live authentically has not only improved Ne-Yo’s relationship with himself but also with others, including his ex-wife Crystal Renay. He revealed that the two have found a way to reconnect and now refer to each other as “friend.”
“Striving for happiness—ain’t nothing wrong with it,” Ne-Yo said. “As long as my happy ain’t messing with anybody else’s happy, then I’m in the right place. I’m where I’m supposed to be.”
Ne-Yo, born Shaffer Chimere Smith, was married to Crystal Renay from 2016 to 2023. Their marriage ended after Renay filed for divorce in 2022, accusing Ne-Yo of infidelity. The split also sparked revelations from his former fiancée, Monyetta Shaw-Carter, who claimed their engagement ended over disagreements about his desire for threesomes.
Since his divorce, Ne-Yo has been seen embracing his new lifestyle publicly. Last July, he was photographed holding hands with two women, sparking conversations about his openness regarding his relationships.
The singer’s message is clear: living one’s truth is the ultimate path to happiness. “I don’t have to lie anymore,” Ne-Yo concluded. “And I’ll be damned if I ever go back to that person who needed to lie for the appeasement of somebody else.”
Through his journey, Ne-Yo continues to inspire conversations about honesty, self-discovery, and the diverse ways people define love and relationships.
