Singer Doja Cat has found herself at the centre of a renewed family dispute after her father, Dumisani Dlamini, publicly pushed back against claims that he abandoned her.
In a series of videos, Dlamini denied being a “deadbeat” parent, insisting he was present during her early years and contributed to providing for the family. He claimed that his relationship with his daughter deteriorated after her rise to fame, alleging that her mother influenced her perception of him.
According to him, “after [Doja’s] career blew up,” her mother “started ruining [his] reputation” and “convinced” her that he had walked out, something he strongly denies. The comments came after Doja Cat posted a video titled “Deadbeat Chronicles,” where she described trolling her father by sending him an explicit link instead of tickets to her South African tour.
Responding to that, Dlamini said: “[Doja] played the cards because of the influence of her mother. She came to South Africa, had the power to see me and faked it… I’m a man of integrity, respect and love.”
Despite previously acknowledging her father’s artistic background, Doja Cat has consistently maintained that she did not grow up with him and that they do not have a close relationship.