Introduction
Shay Johnson, known for her appearances on "Love & Hip Hop: Miami," recently gave birth to her first child, a daughter named Shajiyah. In this exclusive interview, Atlanta Black Star spoke to Johnson about her experience as a first-time mother, her relationship with Momma Dee, and why she kept the identity of her daughter's father under wraps.
Shay "Buckeey" Johnson [@iamshayjohnson/Instagram]
A Protective Father
Johnson shared that she has known the father of her child for over 10 years, emphasizing that he is someone she deeply loves and who loves her in return. However, due to his preference for privacy, she decided to keep his identity a secret. The focus for both of them is solely on their daughter, whom the father adores.
Keeping it Quiet
Johnson managed to keep her pregnancy a secret for two trimesters, with only a select few, including her manager Julian, aware of the situation. Throughout her pregnancy, she continued working and promoting her health supplement brand, The Healthy Hand. Surprisingly, even her longtime friend Momma Dee from "Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta" was kept in the dark. Their friendship had gone unnoticed until the internet erupted when Momma Dee attended Johnson's gender reveal, leading to speculation that Lil Scrappy, Momma Dee's son, was the baby's father. Johnson promptly denied these rumors, asserting that her pregnancy had nothing to do with Momma Dee or her son.
Momma Dee candidly talks about her relationship with Shay Johnson and defends her son Lil Scrappy and daughter-in-law Bambi. Photo: iamshayjohnson/Instagram
Unfazed by the Speculation
Johnson explained that her friendship with Momma Dee has been a long-standing bond, and her presence during the pregnancy was nothing out of the ordinary. The reality star shared that they have been through many ups and downs together, and Momma Dee has even become like a bonus parent to her daughter, referring to her as her "glam baby" on Instagram. Despite the sudden interest in their relationship, Johnson made it clear that her pregnancy was not influenced by Momma Dee or Lil Scrappy.
A Complex Family Dynamic
Johnson also revealed that she kept the news of her pregnancy from her biological mother, Sandra Sims, who has had a challenging relationship with her due to her lack of affection. However, Johnson made the decision to invite her mother to be present in the delivery room, hoping to move towards a more positive direction in their relationship. She acknowledged that building empathy and understanding was necessary, as her mother had experienced a similar lack of affection from her own mother. Johnson expressed her unwavering love for her mother and her commitment to working on their relationship.
Navigating Family Issues
In a previous episode, Johnson and her family attempted therapy to address their deep-rooted issues, but it proved to be unsuccessful. Johnson compared the therapy session to their appearance on Iyanla Vanzant's show, "Iyanla: Fix My Life," stating that Vanzant's approach was more effective in tackling their family problems. Although she found the experience with Vanzant to be aggressive, Johnson hinted that surprises and resolutions await viewers in upcoming episodes, offering a glimpse into another side of her.
Catch the latest episode of "Love & Hip Hop: Miami" on VH1, airing Monday nights at 8 p.m. EST.
