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Serayah Accuses Joey Bada$$ of Cheating as Engagement Ends
Serayah announced the end of her engagement to Joey Bada$$ on Instagram, citing repeated infidelity throughout their relationship. The former 'Empire' star also posted and deleted a video accusing him of speaking negatively about her, and later shared a cake photo captioned 'Anyways thank you next!'
Serayah Ranee McNeill, known professionally as Serayah, announced on Monday, August 24, that she has ended her engagement to rapper Joey Bada$$. In a lengthy Instagram statement, the 31-year-old former "Empire" star cited "repeated infidelity" as the reason for the split.
"There comes a point in a woman's life when choosing herself is no longer an option, it becomes necessary," she wrote. "After much thought, I have made the difficult decision to end my engagement and relationship with the father of my child, Joey."
Serayah elaborated on her decision, writing, "I loved deeply, believed wholeheartedly in the life we were building, and wanted nothing more than to protect our family. 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 statement also included advice for other women, as Serayah encouraged them to trust their intuition. "If your intuition is telling you something is wrong, listen to it. Don't make yourself smaller to keep someone else comfortable. 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. Love should not require you to abandon yourself."
She said she chose to speak publicly "not for sympathy, retaliation, or to publicly tear anyone down," but because many women are taught to question themselves before questioning what is happening in front of them.
A Deleted Video and a Cake Photo
According to TMZ, Serayah also posted and quickly deleted a video on Monday in which she accused Joey of talking badly about her to another woman on the phone. In a since-deleted Instagram Story, she said Joey "needs to be shown for exactly who he is" and called him a "literal piece of s*." She claimed Joey proposed, had her move her life for him, and then cheated, adding that she has "receipts." She also showed what appeared to be a recorded conversation between Joey and an unidentified woman discussing his relationship with Serayah.
Later that night, she shared a photo on Instagram Stories of a cake from a friend, captioning it "Anyways thank you next!" alongside a peace sign.
Background on the Relationship
Serayah and Joey met at a mutual friend's birthday party in 2021 and began dating in 2022. They welcomed a son in June 2025, and Joey proposed shortly after. Joey Bada$$, born Jo-Vaughn Virginie Scott, is a member of the hip-hop collective Pro Era. Us Weekly reported that Joey was previously polyamorous and said he is now monogamous. The couple's engagement had been announced in July 2025, about a month after their son was born.
Protecting Their Son's Privacy
In her statement, Serayah emphasized that her priority is protecting their son's peace, privacy, and relationship with both parents. "I will always respect the fact that we share a beautiful son, and my priority will be protecting his peace, privacy and relationship with both of his parents," she wrote. "For that reason, I won't be discussing the intimate details of our relationship publicly beyond what I have shared here."
Joey's representatives have not yet publicly commented on the allegations. Us Weekly said it reached out to a rep for Joey for comment.
How each outlet told it
al.com
Framing: Highlights the duration ('4 years together') and posits the question 'Why', implying an explanation; it focuses on the timeline rather than the infidelity accusation in the headline. — Measured and factual; presents the events without emotional commentary, though the inclusion of the deleted video adds a slightly sensational element.
Facts Included:
Serayah called off her engagement to Joey Bada$$ due to infidelity.
She announced the split Monday in an Instagram post.
She said she loved him and wanted to protect their family but uncovered a 'painful truth'.
She wrote about 'repeated infidelity throughout their relationship'.
She encouraged other women: 'Don't make yourself smaller to keep someone else comfortable.'
According to TMZ, Serayah posted and quickly deleted a video accusing Joey of talking badly about her to another woman.
Later that night, she shared a photo of a celebratory cake with caption 'Anyways thank you next!' and a peace sign.
The couple met in 2021 and started dating in 2022.
They welcomed their son in June 2025, and Joey proposed shortly after.
Joey Bada$$ is a member of the hip-hop collective Pro Era.
Framing: Highlights the duration ('4 years together') and posits the question 'Why', implying an explanation; it focuses on the timeline rather than the infidelity accusation in the headline. — Measured and factual; presents the events without emotional commentary, though the inclusion of the deleted video adds a slightly sensational element.
Facts Included:
Serayah called off her engagement to Joey Bada$$ due to infidelity.
She announced the split Monday in an Instagram post.
She said she loved him and wanted to protect their family but uncovered a 'painful truth'.
She wrote about 'repeated infidelity throughout their relationship'.
She encouraged other women: 'Don't make yourself smaller to keep someone else comfortable.'
According to TMZ, Serayah posted and quickly deleted a video accusing Joey of talking badly about her to another woman.
Later that night, she shared a photo of a celebratory cake with caption 'Anyways thank you next!' and a peace sign.
The couple met in 2021 and started dating in 2022.
They welcomed their son in June 2025, and Joey proposed shortly after.
Joey Bada$$ is a member of the hip-hop collective Pro Era.
Framing: Highlights the duration ('4 years together') and posits the question 'Why', implying an explanation; it focuses on the timeline rather than the infidelity accusation in the headline. — Measured and factual; presents the events without emotional commentary, though the inclusion of the deleted video adds a slightly sensational element.
Facts Included:
Serayah called off her engagement to Joey Bada$$ due to infidelity.
She announced the split Monday in an Instagram post.
She said she loved him and wanted to protect their family but uncovered a 'painful truth'.
She wrote about 'repeated infidelity throughout their relationship'.
She encouraged other women: 'Don't make yourself smaller to keep someone else comfortable.'
According to TMZ, Serayah posted and quickly deleted a video accusing Joey of talking badly about her to another woman.
Later that night, she shared a photo of a celebratory cake with caption 'Anyways thank you next!' and a peace sign.
The couple met in 2021 and started dating in 2022.
They welcomed their son in June 2025, and Joey proposed shortly after.
Joey Bada$$ is a member of the hip-hop collective Pro Era.
Framing: Highlights the duration ('4 years together') and posits the question 'Why', implying an explanation; it focuses on the timeline rather than the infidelity accusation in the headline. — Measured and factual; presents the events without emotional commentary, though the inclusion of the deleted video adds a slightly sensational element.
Facts Included:
Serayah called off her engagement to Joey Bada$$ due to infidelity.
She announced the split Monday in an Instagram post.
She said she loved him and wanted to protect their family but uncovered a 'painful truth'.
She wrote about 'repeated infidelity throughout their relationship'.
She encouraged other women: 'Don't make yourself smaller to keep someone else comfortable.'
According to TMZ, Serayah posted and quickly deleted a video accusing Joey of talking badly about her to another woman.
Later that night, she shared a photo of a celebratory cake with caption 'Anyways thank you next!' and a peace sign.
The couple met in 2021 and started dating in 2022.
They welcomed their son in June 2025, and Joey proposed shortly after.
Joey Bada$$ is a member of the hip-hop collective Pro Era.
Framing: Highlights the duration ('4 years together') and posits the question 'Why', implying an explanation; it focuses on the timeline rather than the infidelity accusation in the headline. — Measured and factual; presents the events without emotional commentary, though the inclusion of the deleted video adds a slightly sensational element.
Facts Included:
Serayah called off her engagement to Joey Bada$$ due to infidelity.
She announced the split Monday in an Instagram post.
She said she loved him and wanted to protect their family but uncovered a 'painful truth'.
She wrote about 'repeated infidelity throughout their relationship'.
She encouraged other women: 'Don't make yourself smaller to keep someone else comfortable.'
According to TMZ, Serayah posted and quickly deleted a video accusing Joey of talking badly about her to another woman.
Later that night, she shared a photo of a celebratory cake with caption 'Anyways thank you next!' and a peace sign.
The couple met in 2021 and started dating in 2022.
They welcomed their son in June 2025, and Joey proposed shortly after.
Joey Bada$$ is a member of the hip-hop collective Pro Era.
Framing: Highlights the duration ('4 years together') and posits the question 'Why', implying an explanation; it focuses on the timeline rather than the infidelity accusation in the headline. — Measured and factual; presents the events without emotional commentary, though the inclusion of the deleted video adds a slightly sensational element.
Facts Included:
Serayah called off her engagement to Joey Bada$$ due to infidelity.
She announced the split Monday in an Instagram post.
She said she loved him and wanted to protect their family but uncovered a 'painful truth'.
She wrote about 'repeated infidelity throughout their relationship'.
She encouraged other women: 'Don't make yourself smaller to keep someone else comfortable.'
According to TMZ, Serayah posted and quickly deleted a video accusing Joey of talking badly about her to another woman.
Later that night, she shared a photo of a celebratory cake with caption 'Anyways thank you next!' and a peace sign.
The couple met in 2021 and started dating in 2022.
They welcomed their son in June 2025, and Joey proposed shortly after.
Joey Bada$$ is a member of the hip-hop collective Pro Era.
Framing: Highlights the duration ('4 years together') and posits the question 'Why', implying an explanation; it focuses on the timeline rather than the infidelity accusation in the headline. — Measured and factual; presents the events without emotional commentary, though the inclusion of the deleted video adds a slightly sensational element.
Facts Included:
Serayah called off her engagement to Joey Bada$$ due to infidelity.
She announced the split Monday in an Instagram post.
She said she loved him and wanted to protect their family but uncovered a 'painful truth'.
She wrote about 'repeated infidelity throughout their relationship'.
She encouraged other women: 'Don't make yourself smaller to keep someone else comfortable.'
According to TMZ, Serayah posted and quickly deleted a video accusing Joey of talking badly about her to another woman.
Later that night, she shared a photo of a celebratory cake with caption 'Anyways thank you next!' and a peace sign.
The couple met in 2021 and started dating in 2022.
They welcomed their son in June 2025, and Joey proposed shortly after.
Joey Bada$$ is a member of the hip-hop collective Pro Era.
Framing: Emphasizes the accusation of cheating and the end of the engagement; the word 'Accuses' in the headline signals conflict, and it omits the emotional context and her message of self-worth. — Sensational and dramatic; uses phrases like 'done with', 'got much more heated', and includes profanity and explicit accusations, with a tone of exposé.
Facts Included:
Serayah announced ending her engagement to Joey Bada$$ and accused him of repeated infidelity.
She posted a lengthy statement on social media Monday.
She said she loved him and believed in the life they were building but faced 'repeated infidelity'.
In a since-deleted Instagram Story, she called Joey a 'literal piece of s***'.
She claimed Joey proposed, had her move her life for him, and then cheated, adding she has 'receipts'.
She showed a recorded conversation between Joey and another woman discussing his relationship with Serayah.
She captioned the clip with a derogatory phrase.
Serayah later deleted the post and followed up with 'Post and delete. If you saw you saw.'
In her longer statement, she said she won't share more intimate details publicly to protect their son's peace, privacy, and relationship with both parents.
The split came after they welcomed their first child and later got engaged.
Framing: Emphasizes 'infidelity' as the cause of the split; headline names both parties and the reason, but omits the deleted video and other social media details. — Sympathetic to Serayah's perspective; uses phrases like 'painful truth' and highlights her message of self-worth, but without direct judgment on Joey.
Facts Included:
Serayah ended her engagement to Joey Bada$$ over 'repeated infidelity'.
Serayah's post was made on Monday, August 24.
The couple share a son, welcomed last year.
Serayah wrote that she shared the statement not for sympathy but because 'too many women are taught to question themselves'.
She said she won't discuss intimate details publicly to protect their son's peace, privacy, and relationship with both parents.
Us reached out to a rep for Joey for comment.
They met in 2021 at a mutual friend's birthday party.
Joey described first seeing Serayah as 'strikingly gorgeous'.
They began dating in 2022 and got engaged in July 2025, about one month after welcoming their son.
Joey was previously polyamorous but said his relationship with Serayah changed his perspective to monogamy.
Each row is one claim, attributed to the outlet whose wording states it most clearly. Confidence rates how directly the source text states the claim — explicit and unhedged rates high; hedged, pieced-together, or internally inconsistent statements rate lower. It does not measure whether the claim is true. Status counts the distinct outlets we found asserting it — so a single-source claim can still show high confidence, and a multi-source claim can show medium. Every one of those outlets is named beside the status, so you can check the count against the list. For claims extracted before we began storing that list, the row says so: it names the outlet the claim is quoted from and states that we have not recorded which outlets backed it. Outlets wrote at different times, so a figure that evolves — a casualty count, for example — can legitimately differ between rows; check the "as of" time next to each claim's source.
Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimSerayah called off her engagement to rapper Joey Bada$$ due to repeated infidelity throughout their relationship.
ClaimSerayah wrote that there had been repeated infidelity throughout her relationship with Joey, including during some of the most vulnerable and meaningful moments of her life.
ClaimSerayah wrote that she won't discuss intimate details of the relationship publicly in order to protect her son's peace, privacy, and relationship with both parents.
ConfidenceHigh
StatusMulti-source (2 outlets) via Us Weekly , TMZ
ClaimUs Weekly reached out to a representative for Joey for comment.