Wayne Brady's Surprise Baby Boy
Let me tell you a story about Wayne Brady. You know him, right? The charismatic host of Let's Make A Deal, the hilarious guy from Whose Line Is It Anyway?? Well, this guy recently found out he’s a dad again, and it caught him off guard. In a candid interview with People, Wayne admitted he was more than a little surprised when he learned he was going to be a father once more. “I was shocked,” he said. “I mean, honestly, I asked the question that every guy has probably asked at some point: ‘How?’ But then you remember, ‘Oh yeah, I know exactly how.’ So, I had to move past that and focus on what really matters.”
A Rollercoaster Relationship Amid the Pandemic
Now, let’s rewind a bit. Wayne and his ex-girlfriend, Tina, were in an on-again, off-again relationship during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Life was unpredictable back then, and so was their relationship. It wasn’t until 2022 that Tina discovered she was pregnant. Talk about a twist in the plot! Wayne, who’s no stranger to fatherhood, already has a 21-year-old daughter named Maile from his previous marriage to Mandie Taketa. And guess what? Despite their divorce, Wayne and Mandie remain best friends. That’s some next-level co-parenting right there.
But here’s the kicker: Maile, Wayne’s daughter, had some mixed feelings about her dad welcoming another child into the world. “I learned this phrase: ‘Not my circus, not my monkeys,’” Maile told People. “At first, I was like, ‘Okay, cool. Have fun with that.’ I mean, I’m 21 now. This isn’t my baby. But then I realized, this is actually an opportunity for all of us to grow. It’s a chance to see how our family dynamics can evolve as individuals.”
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Val Henry: A Tribute to His Late Grandmother
Fast forward to today, and Wayne has named his newborn son Val Henry after his late grandmother, Valerie. It’s a heartfelt tribute that speaks volumes about Wayne’s values and priorities. As he explained in the interview, Wayne wants his son to grow up knowing he’s loved unconditionally. “I never want Val to feel ashamed or think, ‘Oh, my dad didn’t want me,’” Wayne said. “I want him to know that I love him just as much as I love Maile. It’s important for him to understand that he’s part of my life, and he’s here because of love.”
Wayne recognizes that his family structure isn’t traditional. But hey, who says it has to be? His goal is simple: to create a warm, loving environment where Val can thrive. “I had to do the work,” Wayne explained. “And by work, I mean reflecting on myself, understanding my role as a father, and making sure I’m the best version of myself for my kids.”
Coparenting and Staying Connected
Wayne also opened up about his coparenting arrangement with Tina. Since they don’t live close to each other, Wayne makes sure to stay connected with Val through regular FaceTime calls. “It’s super sweet,” Wayne said. “Even though we’re not in the same city, technology allows me to be part of his life every day. I get to see him grow, and that’s something I’ll always cherish.”
Wayne’s Journey to Self-Discovery
But that’s not all Wayne has been up to lately. Last summer, he made headlines when he revealed he’s pansexual. In a heartfelt interview with People, Wayne explained that he’s always been attracted to people of all genders but kept it hidden because of societal pressures. “It’s scary out there,” he admitted. “Growing up, I learned that being anything other than straight was considered taboo. People would use slurs or try to emasculate you. But now, I’m on a journey to embrace who I am fully.”
Wayne emphasized that this self-discovery isn’t just about his personal life. It’s about being the best version of himself for everyone around him. “If I’m healthy, then I can go on stage and be the best Wayne Brady possible,” he said. “I can be the best dad for Maile and Val, the best friend for Mandie, and one day, the best partner for someone special. Right now, though, I’m single and focused on doing the work. Dating can wait!”
