Seyi Shay Recounts Emotional Reunion with Estranged Father: “I Needed to Forgive Him Because I Hated Men”

 

Nigerian singer and actress Seyi Shay has opened up about one of the most personal and transformative experiences of her life — reconnecting with her estranged father after years of emotional distance and pain.

In a heartfelt conversation with Chude Jideonwo on his acclaimed interview series With Chude on Saturday, October 11, 2025, the award-winning artiste revealed that her decision to forgive her father stemmed from a journey of self-discovery and emotional healing.

“I reconnected with my father because I needed to forgive him,” she said. “Because I hated men.”

Seyi Shay explained that her father left when she was just a baby — a traumatic experience that unknowingly shaped her self-worth and her relationships. She recalled a vivid childhood memory of reaching out to her father as a toddler, only for him to refuse to carry her.

“He said he wasn’t ready for a child,” she recalled. “I remember crying and stretching out my hands for him to carry me, but he wouldn’t. That was the last time I saw him until many years later.”

The singer revealed that the reconciliation only happened after her mother’s passing, when she finally got the information she needed to locate her father. Despite the years apart, she described their reunion as deeply healing — not just for herself, but for her young daughter as well.

Seyi Shay further admitted that her broken relationship with her father had long affected how she related with men, leading to insecurities, failed relationships, and a constant need for validation.

The emotional interview unveiled a vulnerable side of the star — one rarely seen beyond her confident stage persona and powerful voice. Her story resonated deeply with fans, offering a reminder that forgiveness, though difficult, can pave the way for inner peace and generational healing.