Who Are Doja Cat’s Parents? Here’s All You Need To Know About Deborah Elizabeth Sawyer And Dumisani Dlamini

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In pondering the captivating journey of Doja Cat, I find myself both astounded and moved by her remarkable story. Born to a lineage that boasts a legendary performer like her father, Sawyer Dlamini, Doja’s life has been a testament to resilience, talent, and the unyielding bond between family members.

“The online success of Doja Cat, originally known as Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini, is a prime illustration of the internet’s significant impact. Her unique talent, coupled with her eccentricity, caught the attention of numerous individuals who appreciated her offerings.”

The singer, who has an older brother named Raman Dlamini, is quite open about her personal life. Many people, including her fans, are well-informed about this. While her creative abilities might stem from both her mother and father, fewer people are aware of Doja Cat’s parents: Deborah Elizabeth Sawyer and Dumisani Dlamini. We’ve got you covered! Here’s a rundown of essential information about Doja Cat’s parents.

How did Doja Cat’s parents meet?

For the first time, they encountered each other when Dumisani Dlamini, an actor and dancer who was performing in Sarafina! on Broadway (New York), happened to be their mutual acquaintance. Nevertheless, Doja’s parents, Deborah Elizabeth Sawyer, a painter and clothing designer, had a short-lived relationship as per Rolling Stone.

Art played a major role in Doja Cat’s childhood

The singer comes from a family with an artistic background; she revealed this fact during an interview with VladTV. Sawyer, who is both a painter and fashion designer, played a significant role in her life by getting her into dancing as well. In school, she focused on performing arts, taking ballet classes among others. Interestingly, she was also part of a dance group and showcased her skills in breakdance competitions, much like the singer known for “Like That.”

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I’m inspired to share a personal insight: My journey in the creative realm has been significantly shaped by the artistic talents of my mother and grandmother. Their paintings have served as a constant source of inspiration, propelling me towards fashion and visual experimentation. I owe them a great deal for igniting this passion within me.

As a lifestyle aficionado, I can attest that discovering the right resources, with an exceptional knack for selecting quality items, has undoubtedly guided me towards the right path.

Doja Cat’s first track was dedicated to her mother

The eight-year-old artist wrote a song long ago, which was dedicated to Sawyer. In an interview with Billboard, she mentioned that she vaguely remembered the tune but refused to share the lyrics as she felt embarrassed and couldn’t explain why. Doja further expressed, “It’s too sappy for my taste.”

Doja Cat never met Dlamini

In South Africa resides her dad, Dlamini, while she grew up in the U.S. Despite never having a face-to-face encounter, they maintain a connection through their shared presence on social media platforms.

In an interview with Rolling Stone in 2021, the singer expressed it felt a bit peculiar observing others spending time with their fathers, as she didn’t have one herself. Her childhood friend, Gabrielle Hames, mentioned that Doja Cat anticipated Dlamini would visit but he rarely did.

2023 saw Dlamini telling GQ South Africa that he felt “immensely proud” of Doja, attributing her success to her family lineage, stating that this talent was an inherent part of who she is. However, as he also mentioned, despite Doja’s father residing in Africa and being engaged in performances there, he did not attend the events in question.

Doja Cat and Sawyer were ashram residents at one point

At age 8, the singer resided at Sai Anantam Ashram in Santa Monica, California, with her mother and brother. In an interview with Billboard, she described it as “restrictive.” However, her older brother, Raman Dalithando Dlamini, found the experience enjoyable and made many friends. Conversely, Doja felt confined, as she was not allowed to eat freely and couldn’t engage in typical children’s activities. She added, “It was like a rule that you always had to have a scarf on your shoulders.”

But she did mention, “That was incredible for me to be around at such a young age,” adding, “She would sing, and it was captivating.

More about Dlamini’s profession

It seems that Doja’s dance skills might have been inherited from her father, given his long and successful career spanning several decades in the entertainment industry.

During an interview with VladTV, the singer from Streets admitted her father’s skillfulness and confessed that she hadn’t fully realized his talent until Sawyer shared a YouTube video of him performing a dance routine for Sarafina with her.

Doja Cat bonded with Whoopi Goldberg because of her father

In a joint appearance, Whoopi Goldberg and Dlamini starred together in the play “Sarafina!”. When they encountered each other backstage at Late Night With Seth Meyers in 2019, she revealed that the moment brought her father to mind since he was part of the Sarafina! production. She found the encounter with Goldberg absolutely surreal.

In an unexpected turn, the actress known for Sister Act learned that Doja Cat had disclosed her father’s identity. Doja further shared that she never got a chance to meet her dad, but that was different for Goldberg. On The View, Goldberg spoke highly of Dlamini, calling him a “really great man.”

Doja Cat has her father’s support

The artist frequently shows his admiration and approval for his daughter. On one occasion, he posted a photograph of Doja in her Woman music video outfit and wrote, “AFRICAN PRINCESS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT. MAY GOD BLESS YOU MORE.” (Paraphrased)

2023 saw him posting a chuckle-filled video for her, accompanied by the comment: “Amazing! May the Best Bring Out Their Best of Luck!”

Sawyer takes a legal step against her son

Since 2017, both her mother and Doja have had a temporary restraining order in place. However, this order has since expired. Court documents, obtained by People magazine, reveal that in 2024, Sawyer filed for another temporary restraining order against Raman Dlamini. She alleged that he had abused them on multiple occasions and made them feel unsafe and traumatized.

Additionally, it’s claimed in the filed document that he destroyed the singer’s possessions and made threats against his mother’s life.

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2024-09-06 14:08