In a deeply moving and candid episode of xoMan, multi-hyphenate creative and minister Willie Moore Jr. joined host Kiara Walker to talk about masculinity, adoption, therapy, purpose, and transformation. From his early days as R&B artist “Pretty Willie” to becoming a speaker, comedian, licensed minister, and father, Moore unpacks the real-life experiences that shaped his identity—and his calling.

Adopted as a child, Moore said he found out at age seven and was initially confused. “At first, I thought I was a dog,” he recalled, having only seen adoption portrayed in that way. But his father lovingly corrected him:

“Son, you’re nobody’s dog. You’re chosen… We were prepared for you, and we chose you.”

That moment would become the foundation for his advocacy. “I took it upon myself to make sure that the 123,000 children who are available for adoption right now across these United States, they get a voice through me.”

Moore also shared the emotional story of reconnecting with his biological family in 2020—thanks to the love of his life, whom he calls his “purpose partner.” She used genealogy tools she learned from appearing on Relative Race to help him locate his family.

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“In 48 hours, I was looking at a picture of my biological brother,” he said. While it took him five months to reach out, therapy gave him the emotional readiness: “I believe in Jesus and therapy,” he added. “I thought I was a good man for boys, but not as sensitive as I needed for girls.”

While he shared that he thinks individual therapy is necessary, he also stressed the importance of growing as a couple. “I think once you get mature enough, I think you should come together in therapy so you don’t have to outgrow each other.”

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Featured image by YouTube/xoNecole

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