O’Ryan Reveals He And Jhené Aiko Broke Up So He Can Focus On Being A Good Dad To Their Daughter
Throughout the years, O’Ryan has been relatively lowkey but it appears that all of that is beginning to shift. The singer, who is also Omarion’s younger brother, debuted his self-titled album in 2004 and four years later, he became a father to Namiko Love, whom he shares with singer Jhené Aiko.
Lately, O’Ryan has been back in the spotlight and causing a frenzy on social media thanks to his thirst traps with his brother and their “OMG” moment of eating watermelon on stage during Omarion’s Verzuz battle with Mario last year. He’s also been speaking up more as well. Recently, he visited the Jst Us podcast and finally revealed what happened between him and Jhené but his reason for their breakup caused a divide online with some people applauding him for being honest and others calling him out for making excuses.
“We were very young. We were in a relationship like 18, 19, very young love, and when she got pregnant, for me, I had to make a decision," he says. “I never had my dad like super active in my life or any super male influence so I was afraid of kinda messing up one or the other. I can’t be like a good baby father and like a good man. I haven’t seen it, for me, in my life personally, growing up.”
So, while he was committed to being there for their child, he felt as though he couldn’t do the same as a boyfriend. “I was just like, I’ma be the best father I can be for you and I’ma be here for you. I’ma be your friend and all [of] that but I’m not gonna act like I can be with you and maybe break your heart or maybe ruin this whole thing we have going on,” he explains. “We just gonna be cool. She stayed with me the whole pregnancy, [I] cared for her, all [of] that and you can have your life. You can do whatever you want but it's like for me, I wanted to focus on, what kind of father I was gonna be.”
O’Ryan describes that moment in his life as a time of self-reflection but he also continued to support the “Sativa” artist with her blossoming singing career. He explains that as he was figuring out his next phase in life, Jhené was consistent with her music and had a lot of things moving.
“She was working really hard at her career. I was just kinda tryna figure things out for myself as well,” he says. “She had a lot more going on as far as–she had a manager, she had studios that she would go to, and stuff like that. I was just really supportive like, ‘aye whatever you need, you know what I'm saying, Nami, like go in the studio, do your thing ‘cause I don’t even know what I’m gonna do. But you got it together, get it poppin’ and it got lit.”
But no matter the discussion his comments have sparked, O’Ryan seems to have no regrets. He believes that if he didn’t make the decision to focus on being a good father versus a good boyfriend, he wouldn’t have the relationship he has with his daughter today.
While the "Take It Slow" singer only has one child, Jhené recently gave birth to a baby boy with Big Sean, making her a mother of two.
Jst Us Podcast Ep 9 | Oryan on Co Parenting , Music and Onlyfans |
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Feature image by Paras Griffin/Getty Images
London Alexaundria is the contributing editor for xoNecole. She is an alum of Clark Atlanta University, where she majored in Mass Media Arts and has worked in journalism for over ten years. You can follow her on Instagram and TikTok @theselfcarewriter
This article is sponsored by Hulu.
UnPrisonedhas returned for its highly anticipated second season, delving deeper into the complex dynamics of the Alexander family.
The series premiere comes a year after its debut season garnered rave reviews from fans and critics and earned record-breaking ratings for Hulu's Onyx Collective brand. UnPrisoned's success can be attributed to its raw, relatable themes and comedic appeal.
Inspired by creator Tracy McMillan's life, the show follows Paige (Kerry Washington), a therapist and single mother whose life takes an unexpected turn when her father, Edwin (Delroy Lindo) --who was released from prison-- moves in with her and her teenage son, Finn (Faly Rakotohavana).
Throughout UnPrisoned's first season, viewers witnessed how Edwin's incarceration deeply affected Paige's life and relationships. In the series, Paige unpacks her trauma through interactions with her inner child and her online followers. Meanwhile, Edwin is overcoming specific struggles with his own past that led to his life of crime, including a dysfunctional upbringing and his mother's arrest. As the Alexanders attempt to reconcile, new challenges arise.
This new season promises to further explore their unconventional family dynamic. Here are several compelling reasons why season two of UnPrisoned should be on everyone's watchlist.
The Alexander Family Life Is Still In Shambles
UnPrisoned's second season resumes where the series left off, with Paige grappling with the fallout from her troubled therapy practice and Edwin navigating life independently after moving out. Meanwhile, Finn faces his own challenges. The teenager is battling anxiety and seeking information about his father—a topic Paige avoids discussing.
The Alexander Family Are Attending Therapy To Resolve Their Underlying Issues
Amid the chaos in their lives, the Alexander family decides to mend their bond by confronting their past traumas. They seek professional help and attend therapy sessions with a “family radical healing coach,” played by John Stamos, a new cast member. This collective effort aims to unravel the complexities of their shared history and strengthen their relationships.
The process of unraveling each character's internal conflicts and their potential impact on future relationships may clash with Paige's textbook therapy approach. While Paige is used to being in the therapist's seat in both career and family, this forces her into the unfamiliar role of a patient during therapy sessions. This shift would compel her to look in the mirror and try a radically different approach.
The Alexander Family Learned A Big Lesson During A Therapy Session
In therapy, the Alexanders are tasked with addressing their individual traumas to salvage their remaining relationships. One of the family therapist’s eccentric suggestions was an exercise involving a family wrestling match. During this session, Paige faces tough questions about her refusal to share information about Finn's father.
While it's unclear whether this scene is reality or fantasy, the image of the family duking it out in the ring certainly makes for hilarious yet compelling television.
Paige Tries Dating Again Following Failed Relationships
Amid her life's chaos, Paige decides to step back into the dating field. However, her many attempts have left her with mixed results. The dating apps have turned out to be a fail, and an outing with her ex Mal (Marque Richardson), who is also her father's parole officer, doesn’t go quite as expected after he brings an unexpected guest – his new girlfriend.
The situation takes an awkward turn when Mal's new partner learns why the former couple split, partly due to Paige's self-sabotage.
UnPrisoned Is A Perfect Balance Of Comedy And Drama
As a dramedy, UnPrisoned takes a comedic approach to its heavy subjects. The show takes us on a ride with Paige's dating misadventures and navigating a friendship with her ex.
Other lighthearted moments include Edwin's attempts at CPR based on online videos and, of course, the antics of the Alexander family's unconventional new healing coach.
The second season of UnPrisoned is now available on Hulu.
UnPrisoned | Season 2 Trailer | Hulu
Feature image courtesy
Tubi has been gaining popularity due to its free sign-up and a vast selection of series and films. According to Deadline, the FAST (free ad-streaming television) service has seen a 14.7% growth from May and now has similar numbers to Disney+. So while many people have joked about Tubi having low-budget movies, the numbers don't lie.
In fact, I was one of those people who didn't get the appeal of Tubi, but the more I watched it, the more I enjoyed the content. They have some of our favorite TV series, such as Scandal and Star, as well as big films like the Fast and Furious franchise and cult classic Love & Basketball.
Tubi even has its own original movies and series that are just as entertaining. But while Tubi is on the come up, some of the low-budget movies and hood movies are still a must-watch. From Tubi originals to the hood movies, we've put together a list of shows and movies to add to your watchlist.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is an original Tubi movie that stars Hailey Kilgore (Juke from Power Book III: Raising Kanan), Damon Wayans, and Pam Grier. It's a love story gone awry after a robbery turns deadly, and a young couple faces many challenges to make it out alive.
The Dirty D
The Dirty D is one of the first things I watched on Tubi, as many people highly recommended it. It's a series set in a Detroit club, and it has all the drama you can think of. Murder, drug dealing, cheating, greed, and more.
Black Men Don't Cheat
In this film, a young woman grapples with the death of her husband while also discovering his secret life, which puts her in danger.
Mother May I
This movie fully captivates the overbearing mother. However, the ending will shock you as she goes a little too far.
The Stepdaughter
When a young girl moves in with her dad and his new wife, a series of unfortunate events occurs. This Tubi original will keep your attention with every turn.
These Men For Everybody
These Men For Everybody is a film that highlights the tangled web of friendships and relationships and how you can't trust anybody.
Best Friend
What happens when your best friend is obsessed with you? This movie, which stars Serayah and Marques Houston, answers this very question and takes us on a ride in the process.
What's Done After Dark
What's Done After Dark shows us that everything isn't always what it seems. The twist at the end is a real doozy.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Feature image by rez-art/ Getty Images