Wayne Brady after divorce: Wanted to have a family that ‘chooses each other’

Wayne Brady’s blended family journey: From separation to Core Four unity

That sentiment is the core of his new reality show, Wayne Brady: The Family Remix, which premieres July 24 on Freeform.

Taketa told People, “We stayed healthy together, and we found a new friendship, a new family, and a new security within each other.” She described their bond as soul-mates, emphasizing how they overcame their differences and grew closer to each other over time.

Following their separation, Taketa began dating Jason Fordham, one of Wayne Brady’s backup dancers, whom she met during Brady’s successful Las Vegas residency in 2009. Their relationship blossomed, and in September 2021, they welcomed their son Sundance. Mel Brady, Wayne and Mandy’s 21-year-old daughter from their marriage, also plays an integral role in their blended family dynamics.

Reflecting on his integration into the family, Fordham highlighted the importance of giving everyone space during the early stages of their relationship to ensure a smooth adjustment, especially for Maile. “I would separate myself, especially in the beginning, to increase support for the bigger picture,” Fordham told People. He also stressed the importance of openly and honestly supporting each other’s personal growth and development.

Today, the four of them, affectionately called the Core Four, live very close to each other, just eight minutes away. They actively participate in each other’s lives, from eating meals together to traveling and parenting as an integrated unit. Their shared experiences and commitment to communication have been key in navigating the complexities of their blended family arrangement.

Their journey has not been without challenges. Both Brady and Taketa acknowledged their strict upbringing and how it influenced their early parenting methods with Mel. “When we were first parenting, a lot of our childhood traumas manifested themselves into rules,” Brady said. He acknowledged that his authoritarian background shaped his early approach, which he has since developed as they learned and grew together.

Taketa, who became a mother at the age of 26, spoke about her growth through parenting, admitting that when Mel was younger, she was still figuring things out. “She would get spanked. I would scold her. Timeouts. I mean, I was strict. My parents were strict,” Taketa recalled. However, she has taken a gentler approach with Sundance, embracing the beauty of validating a child’s feelings and thoughts.

Mele, now an adult and pursuing a career in singing and dancing, has become an integral voice in her family’s dynamics. She gives candid parenting advice based on her childhood experiences. “Mele gives good parenting advice now because she’s so young that she remembers all the trauma we went through,” Taketa joked, highlighting their openness and willingness to learn from each other.

Brady described how his relationship with Mel has deepened over the past few years, emphasizing the importance of recognizing her autonomy and learning from her perspective. “I’m still amazed at how smart, empathetic and how deep-thinking she is,” Brady said proudly. Their evolving relationship has challenged him to step back from the role of controlling parent and accept Mel as an adult with her own journey and insights.