On a brand-new interview on The Angie Martinez Show, R&B icon Ne-Yo pulled up and opened all the way up. From his music journey to his current polyamorous lifestyle, Ne-Yo made one thing very clear: he’s in his “brutal honesty” era—and he’s not apologizing for it.
“I’ve never been happier,” he told Angie, brushing off online chatter about his personal life. “I don’t care,” he said flatly, referencing blogs and social media critics. “I was tryna be what society’s norms tells you to be… one man, one woman. It has never worked for me… it’s just a happier life.”
Ne-Yo, now publicly living a polyamorous lifestyle, said it wasn’t something he planned out. “I kinda brought together everyone I was dealing with… everyone chose to rock.”
And yes, his family knows all about it. “They love when I’m happy,” he said with a smile. “My mom and kids have met them and love them.” He even shared that his mom vetted his partners herself.
But juggling multiple relationships isn’t all smooth sailing. “This is not for everyone,” Ne-Yo admitted. “The only way it works is with brutal and painful honesty… we pull no punches.”
He emphasized the need for clear communication and boundaries: “I’m the head of the household, but I don’t do ownership,” he explained. While he is allowed to date other women, it must always be discussed. And while his women must be exclusive to him, he adds, “I want you here, I don’t need you here… the most important thing here is my happiness.”
For Ne-Yo, it’s all about freedom and self-awareness. “I’ve always been a free spirit. I thrive off of being able to move free,” he said, adding that this lifestyle has brought him peace and made him a better father. “I’m vibrating higher.”
Still, managing time is a challenge, especially as a father of seven and being on tour. “It’s literally like Voltron,” he joked about balancing his unique family dynamics.
Ne-Yo has no mentor in the polyamory world but swears by one rule: “Keep it a buck.” What keeps four women happy and committed to one man? According to him: “Honesty, security.”
And when asked about the jokes people crack online—especially from comedians questioning his partners’ self-worth—he doesn’t flinch. “If a girl is acting up, she gotta go.”
Though fans have speculated whether he’ll turn his lifestyle into a reality show, Ne-Yo shut that down quickly: “Nope.”
Switching gears, the singer also gave love to Angie for being one of the first to ever play his music. “You were the first person to play my record after Jay-Z sent it to you,” he recalled, showing his appreciation.
Ne-Yo is currently on tour with Mary J. Blige and Mario, with a huge show at Madison Square Garden this Friday. As for Mary, Ne-Yo says she hasn’t brought up his personal life, and that’s just fine by him.