Watch: Has Taylor Swift Given Serayah Any Advice?
Serayah is beginning a new chapter.
The Empire actress (full name Serayah McNeil) confirmed that she has chosen to end her relationship with Joey Bada$$ (real name Jo-Vaughn Virginie Scott), calling off their engagement after three years together.
“There comes a point in a woman’s life when choosing herself is no longer an option, it becomes necessary,” Serayah wrote in an Aug. 25 Instagram post. “After much thought, I have made the difficult decision to end my engagement and relationship with the father of my child, Joey.”
Serayah—mom to a 15-month-old son with Joey—shared that while she believed “wholeheartedly” in the life they were creating together, there were issues she said she could no longer ignore.
“Unfortunately, I also had to face a painful truth: there had been repeated infidelity throughout our relationship, including during some of the most vulnerable and meaningful moments of my life,” the 31-year-old continued. “I share this not for sympathy, retaliation, or to publicly tear anyone down. I share it because too many women are taught to question themselves before they question what is happening right in front of them.”
Joey has publicly not addressed the breakup or Serayah’s allegations of infidelity. E! News has reached out to his reps but has not yet heard back.
In sharing the end of her relationship—which the former couple confirmed in 2023—Serayah emphasized the importance of women recognizing their worth.
“Don’t make yourself smaller to keep someone else comfortable,” she continued. “Don’t compromise your values because you’re afraid of losing the future you imagined. And don’t allow someone else’s choices to become a referendum on your worth.”
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But while she was publicly confirming the end of her relationship with the “Survival Tactics” rapper, the Ruth & Boaz actress detailed a mutual understanding that will always exist between the former partners.
“I will always respect the fact that we share a beautiful son,” Serayah continued. “And my priority will be protecting his peace, privacy and relationship with both of his parents. For that reason, I won’t be discussing the intimate details of our relationship publicly beyond what I have shared here.”
And while Serayah noted her relationship “did not end the way I prayed it would,” she maintained a hopeful message in her post.
As she put it, “Endings can also be beginnings.”
For more couples who have gone through breakups this year, keep reading…
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