August Alsina opens up about being a legal guardian to his three nieces on the season finale of The Surreal Life on VH1.
In 2018 the 27-year-old R&B singer gained custody of Chaylin, 14, Amaiya, 13, and Kayden, 11. Their mother, Chandra, who was planning to wed his late brother Melvin, passed away on Christmas Day from cancer. Melvin was fatally shot in New Orleans in 2010, and his slaying is still unsolved.
The world may have been fixated on his “entanglement” with Jada Pinkett Smith, but Alsina had his hands full with more pressing matters. Back in 2020, he sat with People Magazine and discussed his experience as a parent.
Alsina shared that despite being aware that Chandra was ill, he never once imagined that she would pass away. He was taken back to the time when his sister had asked him if he would take custody of the children, and he had given her the assurance that he would. In addition to that, he assured her that there was no way that she would leave this world.
“As she was making plans to leave this earth, she texted me, ‘All this time you’ve been running from being a parent, from having kids, and now you’re forced to,'” he told the publication.
“I’m like, ‘I just play the cards that life deals me, and I’ll figure everything out.’ She said, ‘You always do.’ And she went to sleep and that was that” he continued.
@surreallifevh1 AugustAlsina’s relationship with his nieces “is a complex one.” Don’t miss TheSurrealLife✌️ episode season finale TOMORROW NIGHT at 9/8c on @vh1!
Alsina declared he was forced to grow up after the departure of Melvin and Chandra. Even though it’s been challenging, he says taking care of his three children has been his highest priority. His relationship with his nieces is complex, he admitted on the VH1 show.
He also shared that there are times when he feels like he’s failing as a parent for missing out on important things in their lives while he balances his.
When asked what they like most about Alsina, they said that they feel comfortable discussing any topic with him. Their uncle, a father figure in their lives, was described as understanding.
After the clip was uploaded to TikTok, users immediately began sending their well wishes and expressions of support.
“Having to take custody of 3 kids at age 29 IS NOT EASY!!!!!!!!! I love August and commend him for his sacrifices. I pray they all find their way,” said one fan.
Another user shared her reason for defending him against people who had negative things to say about the artist.
“Stuff like this reminds me of why I use to fight so hard for August when people would call him angry. They don’t understand his story.”
“His brother , sister , mother and father all died but he still holding on .. give this man his crown now and flowers,” said another.
“It must be so hard. Such an emotional love. Their mother died and their father was murdered.August is such a beautiful person.So full of love”
Alsina is a true fighter, juggling parenthood, a successful career, and the rare autoimmune disease Guillain-Barré syndrome.
“Had the jada scandal, Lost his sister , lost his brother and almost lost his own life 🥺he has overcame so much,” noted another admirer of the artist.
