
Shamea Morton shares her journey of love, life, fertility, motherhood, and marriage–a conversation sure to inspire.
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Krystal Renee Hayslett
Coming up on Keep it positive, sweetie.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
As women, we're often told, you know, get your career, get a husband. Here are the steps to doing all this stuff. And especially in the black community. I didn't know anything about freezing eggs and ivf. It was just like, don't get pregnant. Don't let that butt get you pregnant.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Hello. Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Wrapped that thing up, and you were always like, oh, okay. Yeah. You know, you didn't hear about, like, yeah, until. You don't need to wrap it up because your eggs are gonna dry. You know, you're born with a certain number of eggs, and you. You have those eggs, and that's all you're gonna get. We don't talk about that kind of stuff.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
We don't. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Hey, guys. There is so much going on in the world, so much so that we don't even have the words to articulate it or even someone to talk to. If that's you, I have something for you. And it's BetterHelp. BetterHelp is an app that pairs you with a licensed therapist who specializes in your needs. It's super easy. All you have to do with a few clicks on your phone is fill out a quick survey with what you're struggling with, and BetterHelp will pair you with the perfect therapist. You don't have to do this alone. If you're struggling, consider our therapy with our sponsor, BetterHelp. You can get a discount off of your first month using my link www.betterhelp. crystalrenae. Guys, let's get better together with better help. Welcome to another episode of the Keep It Positive Sweetie Show. A safe space where we heal, laugh, grow, and love together. I'm your host, Krystal Renee Hayslett, and in this episode, we sit down with the dynamic Shamia Morton Mwangi, renowned for her multifaceted career in entertainment. This is an inspiring conversation that offers a deeper look into the life of a woman who seamlessly balances the demands of the spot spotlight with personal fulfillment. Because she is more than a housewife. Before we get into the episode, let's take a look into Krystal's closet. All right, guys, let's get into today's look. I am wearing a matching set by Max Mars Sport. I'm wearing an aloe tank, and I paired it with these beige Givenchy shark boots. Get into it. Shamia Morton Mwangi exudes energy from her vibrant presence on the Real Housewives of Atlanta to her infectious personality while hosting V103's morning show and the high energy she brings to hosting the Atlanta Hawks games and any red carpet. I'm super excited to dive into her journey from leading her church choir at the tender age of four to becoming the most exciting multi hyphenate talents while balancing motherhood, marriage and career. Ladies and gentlemen, Shamia Morton Mwangi.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Hey.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Hey, Visrian.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
I gotta hug you. Oh, my God, I'm excited.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
I'm excited to have you. I just. First of all, I just love you. Your energy is always electric. From the day I met you, you've been so sweet and kind and you always invite me and include me and stuff. You never forget about me, even though I'm like extremely busy. You know how you like, invite people places and then they. They're never available. Like, why not gonna invite me anymore? That is not. Shamia. You always keep me in mind because.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
I always want your bright light around me. Like, you have such a magnetic, positive energy, which is why your. The name of this show is so perfect. When I first heard about Kips, I was like, oh, my goodness, what a great name.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Thank you.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Like, you just exude this joy and this. This God in you, and it's so contagious and it's something that you always want to be around. So thank you for never forgetting about me.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
No, of course.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
You know, sometimes when people blow up and they do a big thing and they do a big one, it's like, oh, oh, yeah.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
No, we're not doing that.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
You never give that energy.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
No.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
At a basketball game, at a grocery store, you're like, hey, what's going on? She still loves me. I told y'all.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
I know. Chris, right? I love that. No, I appreciate you so much and I'm extremely proud of you and your growth. Like, I think when I first met you, you were a dancer for the Hawks.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Yes.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
You were a Hawks cheerleader.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Falcons then.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Was it Falcons?
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Yes. It's been a while. And then I moved over to the Hawks.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yes.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Dancing and cheering.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yes. Incredible. And then to see you now like the host of the Hawks.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Right.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
You are doing so many things.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Thank you.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah. You're a host, you're an actor, you are a mother, a performer, all the things.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Listen, I'm just trying to be like you best friend. I love the fact that, you know, we are women that aren't placed in a box.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yes.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
We can do multiple things.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
You know, multiple things. Bring in multiple streams of.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Come on. Hello.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
That's always fortunate thing. But it's crazy because, like, how all of this stuff came about. I started out as being a girl that loved to sing in the Sunbeam Choir at the Church of God in Christ. Then went from there to just. My show was boring. And they were like, okay, well, you can't just stand there and sing. You got to give us a little bit more.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Oh, wow.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Can you move a little? So my parents put me in ballet, jazz same.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
We had so much in common.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
And then from there, got a part in the movie Drumline where I was a dancer. And then it just continued. I was like, I saw that check and I was like, oh, I can do this. Hold on a second. You get paid this kind of money just to act? I was like, let me get into some acting class. What? Signed up for the Alliance Theaters acting classes.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Amazing.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Then I came this close to getting a part over with Mr. Perry. I auditioned and got the have and have Nots play.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
That's where. Oh, the play. Okay.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Yes.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Wow.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
And we're supposed to do that last leg on the tour, and then they canceled it. And I was like, ah, it's like a camera. Like, you almost had it.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
It's a lot of those.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
But I was fortunate enough to do some background work, like a couple liners here and there. You know, it's a journey, I always say, like, it's a process.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
It is.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
And God ain't done with me yet.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
He is not done.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
I'm still doing it. I'm still working, and I'm still able to keep my youth.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yes, kids, keep you young. Oh, my goodness. Yeah. Did you ever feel like, with all the things that you wanted to do, did you ever have a feeling where you just had to choose one thing at any moment? Because I know we. Now we're like, we're not being boxed in. But was there ever a moment where you did feel like you had to choose?
Shamia Morton Mwangi
I felt like. I mean, the industry kind of burnt me out singing because I was signed so young. And, you know, I've sang with some of the best of them. You know, Shamari from Black, Kiri Hilson from. You know, we had a group called Pretty Tony. I had a. I was in a group called Co Ed. And after so long and after so many no's, you do start feeling like you're not good enough. Maybe you're not really a good singer. Maybe you're not cute enough. Maybe you start to doubt yourself. So I started doing the things. Things that people did appreciate or respect me for. And that was like hosting or dancing.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
And so I was like, well, I really want to do some, like, in game hosting, sideline reporting, and I want to do radio.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah. Now, how'd you get into that?
Shamia Morton Mwangi
I was dancing at a Hawks game and I was like, the only way I'm coming back at my big age is if you guys are going to give me a shot to do some sideline stuff or in game hosting.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Now, who did you tell this to?
Shamia Morton Mwangi
My cheer coach.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Oh, wow. Okay.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
She was like, just study and, you know, be ready. When your time comes, you'll be able to do it. And lo and behold, the girl missed her flight. The host missed her flight.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
And I was always had an extra change of clothes in my locker ready. I was like, put me in, coach.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
That's a message.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
I'm ready. And they did. And I mean, I don't want to say I killed it, but I did well enough.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
I mean. Well, you did something right.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Get called back again. And I became her backup. And then it was like, you know, she moved to la, and what's crazy is her name was Crystal.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Oh, wow. Tj. Oh, yeah. Yes.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
And she moved to LA and started doing some stuff in LA for the Sparks and everybody else. And then that job became mine. And from there it was like, okay, now it's yours completely.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yes, it is yours and you own it. You are so good.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Of course, you know, Ryan at the time was doing the.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Ryan Cameron. Yeah. What Tip does now? Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Yep. The Voice. He was the voice of talks. And, yeah, he was auditioning co host for the radio. Then he brought me in, let me audition a little bit and hang out with him. Then I started doing overnights at the radio station. The shift that nobody wants.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Right. You gotta start somewhere.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
You're pretty much talking to yourself. I did that for, like, almost two years.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Oh, wow.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
People don't know that. I think you just get success overnight, but it's like, this is a journey.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
It is.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Did that for, like, two years. Then I joined the Big Tigger Morning show and that was a fun time. I did that for another two years. And in between that, mind you now, it wasn't just consecutive, like, years. It was like, overnights. No job.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Wow.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Then they call you back, and then you do.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
So. And then. Then I got let go of there.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Wow. What did that. What was that like?
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Oh, man, it was heartbreaking.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
You feel like you're getting a big break.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
I mean, I loved my job. I love Uno3. I've always enjoyed the People station because I grew up in Atlanta.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Exactly.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
So it was no hard feelings because Sometimes people just want to go in a different direction and you gotta, you gotta respect that and you just have to thank God for the time that you were able to do it.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
That's good.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
So I was like, you know, at any time one door has closed, another one has opened. So even when I was doing the WNBA hosting, I lost my job there and I was crying, I was sad. And then the NBA called me and.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
I was like, come on guys, look at God.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
So, you know, when I lost my job at B103, housewives called and I was like, come on, God.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
So was there ever a moment where you were like, alright, God, what's happening? Or did he always like, just open it up. Just never let that doubt even settle in because he was always opening another door.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
We are always naturally gonna be somewhat doubtful. And when I was younger you used to hear like, don't you question God always. Sometimes you get frustrated and you're like, well, what's happening?
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah, what's my purpose?
Shamia Morton Mwangi
What do you really want me to do? You always pray that your will be done. Well, what's in your will? Am I doing it right? I mean, order my steps already.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Right, right.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Getting impatient, you know, and then just when you start to just be like, all right, I'm over it. He steps in and he just shows you like, all right, I told you to trust me, now you trust me.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
I love it.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Yeah. So, you know, I'm doing the show this season. I'm excited about that. I feel like my life is just taking. I think I'm taking control of it and I'm actually manifesting and speaking those things that I want.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Speaking of manifesting, you, you just recently manifested a big, I think feat that you want to accomplish. You want to share that with us?
Shamia Morton Mwangi
I almost feel like that might have backfired a little bit, might have went a little bit too far. So. I'm not a liar, guys. I was just really manifesting something on my page that like, live from the 67th annual Grammys. It's the biggest night in music and I'm your host Shamia Morton alongside my co host Trevor Noah.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
I know, that's right. Speak it.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Everybody started calling me like, oh my God. Ah.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
I was like, yes, but why? I walked in today when you. Because I saw your post and I said, oh my God, we had to touch on. I didn't know she did the Grammys. Like it's spreading and people are like picking it up, you know, and it's like, I thought it was real. And then you're like, that was manifestation.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Called me from the network and I'm like, oh, my goodness. We did not know that. Congratulations. For. I was like. And my face is. But I'm.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
But that's where it starts. That's where it starts. No, you've seen it. Like, I've seen a lot of people do commentary on fashion, and it starts in their living room. And then before you know it, they get so many followers and traction builds where they end up being on the red carpet.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
So it can happen. I'm just like, y'all at home. I want. I got dreams, too.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yes, absolutely. I love that.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
So, yeah. Sorry, Miami, the Catfish, y'all.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
No worries.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Like, right, like, so you didn't. No. Let me tell you, the funny part was when I read one of the comments, one of my friends was like, you have me in tears. Oh, my God. You deserve this. And I was like, don't cry.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Don't.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Yes.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Wait till. Wait till next year. Cause it's gonna happen and then cry. Cause we both gonna be crying.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Quit shouting.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yes, that's good. There's this new show on BET called Pound for Pound. It's. It's in South Africa and it follows women who are boxers, but they talk about the struggle to balance it all. You Shamia are multi hyphenated. You do all the things. And you also are a mother. Do you feel like you can have it all?
Shamia Morton Mwangi
I do. And I think that this season that I'm in has really shown me that you can have it all. And I hate to keep taking things back to God, but that's like, no, don't hate that.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Take it back. Yes.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
And that's kind of how I was raised.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Absolutely.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
You gotta put your trust in him. Him. And you got to know that he hears and he sees and he knows what you want. He knows the desires of your heart, and he'll give you just that if you just stay faithful.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yes.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
I mean, I don't want to start preaching, but Job was sick for so.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Long, you know, flesh fell from his bones.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
But you know what? He waited and he waited and God showed up and showed out in his.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Come on.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
The flesh falls from his bones. Then why can't I?
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Why can't I?
Shamia Morton Mwangi
And so, like I always tell people, like, no matter your age, no matter your raised creek, it doesn't matter. Like, if the is for you, no man, nothing can stop it. And that's what I'm doing. I'm waiting on my big blessing. And the love is coming.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah, it is.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
I can Feel it. I know I'm here with you.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yes.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Imagine.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Imagine both of us from where we. When we met, where we were, to now is night and day.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Absolutely. Even with housewives, like, people were like, oh, you know, she'll never get a peach. Even I started doubting, like, would I ever? And not that it was, like, a goal of mine, but it's kind of frustrating when you're doing something haphazardly like, you. You. Like, you want to showcase your whole life.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yes.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
You want to show people that there's more to you than just being a plus one or a friend of. But you can't because you're not full time.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yes.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
You're just a friend of the cast. And so it would be situations, like someone would say something. You know, we could be a little shady, and you don't know it until you actually watch the show. And when you watch the show, then.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
It'S like, oh, that's how you feel.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
And I didn't even get a chance to get you back. Yes, I want to get my lick back. I want to have a rebuttal or something back. You don't get any of that. You're just a friend. Heck, they probably don't even mic you.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Oh, my goodness.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Or you might not even get invited to the next event.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
So it's always to even, like.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Yeah. To even say your piece.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Right.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
And so then your viewers are thinking, oh, well, she just laid down and took it. And really, you're like, I didn't even know about it. I didn't get invited back. I didn't. You know, you don't get a confessional or green screen. You don't get any of that stuff.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Oh, wow.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
So I'm just excited for people to know me. Me, my life, and all of the good, bad, and the ugly of it. And I don't want to say the ugly, but I feel like social media people show you all the good.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
It's a highlight.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Look at my car. I'm this, I'm that. I am the girl. I'm dumb. But it's like the real life does happen.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
It does happen.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Everything is not great. And some days I don't feel pretty, and some days I don't feel amazing. Some days I feel less than. Some days I feel inferior. Some days I'm just like, why God? And. And, you know, dealing with a sick baby, it's just a lot of things that weigh on you. And that's why I was saying, like, just the faith that. And just when God picks you, he's like, you know, hey, I'm gonna throw all this on you, but the reward is gonna be so great.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Absolutely. No, for sure.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
And that's what I think people see this season. Like, they'll get to see the good, and they'll get to see the not so good moments.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
I'm excited for that for you. Have you felt a sense of pressure now that you're not. You're like, you got your peach now. So this is a different level for you on the show. Have you felt any pressure or any hesitancies of sharing your entire world?
Shamia Morton Mwangi
So the only time I get nervous and, like, anxious is knowing that. Okay, it's premiering March 9th. This is when people are going to see everything about me. Because when I pull up at a Hawks game, I park in the deck and no one knows what I'm driving.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah. Oh, we know now.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Or when I. I'm just being honest, or like, when I go home, they don't know what I'm going home to. So oftentimes I'm treated like the cheerleader that makes this amount and that.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
And they don't know.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
And they don't know. And I just don't want that relationship to change.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
To change. Because how do you feel?
Shamia Morton Mwangi
I don't want to be treated like, oh, excuse me, Woody. Like, because the people. Some of the people that do know, it's already started happening. Like, well, I know you don't eat Krispy Kreme donuts, but I'm like, absolutely.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
I do. Right.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Right.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Bring them.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
I'm gonna ride through the McDonald's, drive through and get some fries. It's not beneath me. He's like, cook, we got Catherine Dee's for dinner. Like, but people automatically box you in this. Oh, wow. And it's like, that's not even me.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Like, it's not. You are not like that.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
I just love that about what my life is now.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Like, I can kick it with you in some sweats, and we can just be, you know, chilling. And I don't. I just. The glitz and glam of it all is. Is one thing, but then there's also.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Right that. Absolutely.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Down to earth.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Decatur, girl.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Decatur, I love it is. You have not. No, I'm serious. It has not changed.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
And I don't want.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
The people around me to change, you know?
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Right. Yeah. Yeah. Speaking of that, how has it been as you've ascended and your stars continue to rise, just like the people around you and navigating those friendships and relationships?
Shamia Morton Mwangi
I mean, you know, I always felt like sometimes people say, you know, when you get a certain level of success, you know, things change or you lose friends or. And I mean, I hate to say that's right. And it's not because it's something that you're doing, because I find myself trying to go extra hard to keep all my people and make them all feel special and make them all feel important. Important. And like they're on this journey with me. But sometimes people just don't see it for you. Yeah, sometimes people, you know, and I'm not talking about anybody in particular, but sometimes just. It could be a cousin, and they could feel like, you know, for as long as you were, or they felt like they were better, doing better or more superior. Then it was like, rah, rah in your corner.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
But then the moment that they feel like you're doing well, it's like they change.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
It's not even you. You're like, I'm still here. I still want to go kick it with you. I miss you. I love you, friend. I couldn't kick it with you today because I had this happening, but tomorrow, and it's like, nah, I'm good, you know, And I'm like, that's what's hurtful, you know, just. Just that part of it, like, just changing. And it's almost like. I don't want to say changing it. Some friends are seasonal, though.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah. I mean.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
And some are not meant to be there with you.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah. No, that's true. That's true. And it seems like you're navigating it very well.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
It's hard because, you know, we. I think we're loyal people and we love hard.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah. Oh.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
But, like, you know, some of my friendships, you know, have taken, you know, like. Like, I mean, and one of my friends, we. We've been friends since, God knows, like, we met in college.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Wow. Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
I've been out of college for a long time and. And she just would say weird stuff. Stuff all the time. I'll be like, hey, girl, you know, I'm filming today. I can't, you know, and then it.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Was like, oh, you know, you always.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
You're always. Yeah, like. Like, you.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Oh.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
So since you on this show now.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah. You don't have time.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
You don't have time. I don't have time, but I'm gonna make time for you. And then when I would try to make time for her, she would just be like, no, it's all.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah, they. Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Gets me.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Like, and I want to do better Girl, cuz if I win you.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yes. Yes.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
For real? Yeah, but.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Okay, yeah, no, I get that. Yeah. You've been very open about motherhood and about surrogacy and fertility. I spoke about this a few times openly about my really just working those years I should have been harvesting my eggs and feeling like I waited too long. And then my doctor just telling me recently that you should just try to have it naturally. Because if you do freeze your eggs, who's to say they're all gonna stay alive and be viable? So I'm in that stage where I'm going through the dang I wish I had of. But you've been through it all and I want you to share some of your journey. And then I wanna know how shy is doing.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
So I'm so happy that we're having this conversation because I do feel like not just in our community, but. But as women, we're often told, you know, get your career, get a husband. Here are the steps to doing all this stuff. And especially in a black community. I didn't know anything about freezing eggs and ivf. It was just like, don't get pregnant. Let that boy get you pregnant.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Hello. Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Wrapped that thing up. And you were always like, oh, okay. Yeah. You know, you didn't, you didn't hear about like, yeah, until you don't need to wrap it up because your eggs are gonna dry. You know, you're born with a certain number of eggs and you have those eggs and that's all you're gonna get. We don't talk about that kind of stuff.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
We don't. Let's talk about it.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
People are talk are. They're freezing their kids eggs out of high school.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Isn't that crazy?
Shamia Morton Mwangi
You know, like, they want to make sure they are able to procreate. And we are, we aren't. So we're just told, don't do that. Don't get yourself knocked up. Don't be barefoot and pregnant. All the stuff. And then now that you have. And it's so crazy because the more I talk about it, the more I found out about so many of my friends and just family that have had trouble with infertility.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yes.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
And I'm like, let's all talk about it. We can help each other. I did seven rounds of ivf. Seven.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Okay, what is that like? Because when I was told I should do it, I felt like it was too late. But then also people kept saying, well, I mean, how's that going to work with your career? When are you going to have time because you know, it's going to take you down and it's not. Your body gain weight and it's not good. And I'm like, well, when would I have time to do it?
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Let me tell you. You figure it out. Because even when I was busy and I was doing ivf, I would just myself a shot in the car. Just figure it out, you know? And it takes, what, a day to, you know, do the egg retrieval and then another day to recover, possibly. But you'll make it happen. You'll figure it out. Don't procrastinate. Just do it, you know, but it's never too late. Like, I mean, if it's. It's going to happen for you.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
At the right time.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
At the right time, yes.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
And. And the vain comments that I've gotten, you know, because I did do surrogacy with Shiloh. It was, oh, you know, you just don't want to mess up your body. Should have had a baby naturally. She wouldn't have been sick. Da, da, da. There's some ugly stuff out there. However, I never stopped trying to get pregnant. I had failed transfer after failed transfer. And then.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
What's a failed transfer?
Shamia Morton Mwangi
So when they transfer the embryo into you, you wait to see if you get a positive pregnancy test. It didn't happen. And then a year ago, January, I had an ectopic pregnancy test, and I almost died. My left. I was pregnant, and my left fallopian tube ruptured. Yes.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yes.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
And I was bleeding out internally. And. Oh, yeah, that's a whole nother thing and you don't really even know about. And I went to one hospital, and they were just like, get in line. Like, we have other people ahead of you. And. And I was just like, I feel like I'm dying. I called my mom, and I was crying. I was like, I'm vomiting in the. In the emergency room, and no one's helping me.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
And you were literally bleeding and I was bleeding, and.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
And then my mom came and took me from that hospital to another hospital where I was born, actually. Emory Crawford Long.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Wow. I keep hearing amazing things at Emory.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
They rushed me right back, even though my vitals were good, because, like, at the hospital, I wasn't running a fever. My blood pressure wasn't high, so they were like, you're fine. Took me back the other hospital. They did blood work on me, and they would do a little more in depth, and they were like, yeah, no, something's not right. And then they did an ultrasound on me, and they saw, oh, my and they were like, we're rushing you into surgery. And when they told me to rush me to surgery, I said, let me go to the bathroom first. I went to the bathroom and blood just started.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
No.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Yes. Oh, my goodness. Not to be graphic, but yeah. It was just. I mean, it was nothing. But, God, they saved my life.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yes.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Which is why, you know, just a spoiler alert, you know, you'll see the cuts on me even on the show, you know, just. That was a real thing.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
But let me tell you, it gave me. Was a high and a low for that. I can still get pregnant.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Wow.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
You know, because I did get pregnant.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
I still have eggs, you know, because at this age, you start thinking, can I get pregnant? Do I still have eggs? You know, wow.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
And then.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
But the other side was, now I only have one fallopian tube. To get pregnant.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
To get pregnant. Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
You know, I would tell anybody, like, do your research, you know, do your homework. Go make sure that it's a really great fertility clinic that you're going to look at their, like, percentages of pregnancies and then decide. Make a. Make a conscious effort to just be. Be very detailed. Your place.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
We were fortunate enough to get Shiloh through my surrogate named Shadina.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Now, how did you find a surrogate? Because that's another thing, like, when you think about, like, who would, you know, what's crazy? Choose.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
I was always like, let me. Let me. When. When I met Shadeena, I met her through Candy.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Okay.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
And Candy used Shadeena for her daughter Blaze. And during that process, I was there to witness her do the injections. And I didn't even know that I needed a surrogate or anything. I was just like, I'll get pregnant.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
One day. And then it was like. Because I had Shia the natural way.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
So I was like, oh, yeah, you know, we'll get pregnant. It'll be easy. Then it wasn't. It was like, failed, failed after failed. So my doctor was like, it's unexplained. Like, I don't even know why. Just go and talk to a fertility clinic. And so that's how we came about Shadeed. I was like, hey, she has an agency.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Okay.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
So I was like, why don't you just carry the baby? We're comfortable with you. You're in the circle already.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Just because she was like, what? So she did. She got diagnosed with breast cancer, unfortunately. And she was at 32 weeks when she got diagnosed. And it was an aggressive form of racism.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah. That's a Lot.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Oh, my goodness. When I tell you, I'm always like, is this like a movie, right? I'm like, is this really happening? She got diagnosed with breast cancer. Since it was aggressive, they were like, we can't. We gotta, like. We gotta go into it. So I think Shiloh came five weeks early, and she came on Valentine's Day. So, like, she's my love baby.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
And what was crazy is I was supposed to be at All Star. Cause All Star's always that week. It was in Utah that year. And I was like, well, I'm gonna have to like, I gotta figure this out. She came, she was crying. We were all rejoicing. And then she stopped crying and started turning blue.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Whoa.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Yes. And I was like, oh, my goodness. And they rushed her to the icu. Next time I saw my baby, she had been intubated and was on a breathing machine. Yeah. I was like, oh, my goodness. Then it's so crazy how, like, social.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Social media helps you at times.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
There is power in that because she was there right at a week on the ventilator. And they were like, she needs a surgery. She had both nasal passages blocked with boning and tissue. And they could only do the surgery at Children's Health Care of Atlanta, Children's Healthcare. Atlanta didn't have any beds.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Oh, my goodness.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Bed. You would think we're in the United States of America. Like, is that. How is that even a thing?
Krystal Renee Hayslett
That lets you know how many kids are.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
There you go. And that hospital that they just built was so needed. But this was 2023. The hospital just opened in 2024.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Got you.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
We didn't have that yet. And so they were. They didn't. They were had. They had a bed shortage. So I went on Instagram, and that's kind of how I started telling my story.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Not for pity or, you know, empty for people. I just. I just needed help. And I didn't know how to help my child. And I knew that if I waited.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Then her lungs would suffer. And I was just like, I don't know what to do. And God just said, tell your story. So I went live and I started telling the story, and I was like, I don't know how to get her bed. I don't know what to do. But I do know that I need my baby to get hit. And it's so funny, because the lady that was working for the Falcons, when I was cheering for the Falcons, she had a set of twins, and she knew one of the head doctors in the NICU at Northside.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
She reached out to her.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Come on now. Reached out to her. They reached out to Scottish, right, y'all. They had me a bed the next day.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Wow.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
They transported me over with my child and gave us the best care.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Ever. Dr. Paula Harmon did the surgery. And, like, then we found out other things about Shiloh for from head to toe. When I tell you this girl came with all the bells and the whistles, she had craniosynostosis and that. And I'm only sharing all this because there was no information about all this stuff.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yes. And that's what we're talking about.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
So I would, like, tease people, and I would go to the hashtag. You know, you'd be like, hashtag feedinbrace. That's how I was doing. Hashtag craniosynostosis. What is that? Looking at all these pictures, just, like, Google all the scary stuff comes up. Absolutely. So that's when your skull is fused together. Because most babies are born with a soft spot. Not Shiloh. Her skull is already fused together. So she would eventually have to have that procedure at 6 months of age to open her skull up so that she can have normal brain growth.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yes.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
But the first thing was keeping her alive by opening up her nasal passages.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yes.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
So they opened it up, and that was called a craniosynostosis. And I'm sorry. It was choanal atresia and choanal stenosis of the nose. That's when you have tissue and boning blocking both nasal passages. This was craniosynthesis. So they opened up her nose, and just, like, scar tissue, it wants to form and heal.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yes.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
It closed right back up.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Oh, my goodness.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
She had to keep going back. It was like, every four weeks, she was going back to the OR for another surgery. My girl has had 14 surgeries. Fourteen? Yes. And she is still such a happy girl. Such great energy. I mean, when I tell you, like, we do a family photo shoot, and she's like. Like a star.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yes.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
And, you know, and so that's why I say, like, God just has a way, like, from head to toe that this heart murmur. Fluid buildup in her kidney. The tendons in both middle fingers were tight. She had clubbed feet. She had all the. All the things. And I was just like. And it was like I just had to deal with it one thing at a time.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
It's almost like when you make a to do list. I had to, like, so I didn't want to be overwhelmed and over, you know, and sometimes I would just need to just remove myself from it for even an hour or two. Because any NICU moms, y'all know, like, when you're by your bedside, by your child, it just. It can drain you. And when you don't have energy, your child doesn't have energy. And I needed her to have a will to live.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yes.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
You know, and it is desire and a good energy around her. So oftentimes, I would leave and go to the Hawks game and work.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah. I feel like you never skipped a beat.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
I was like, why are you at the game? And I'm like, I need this.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
And I will go right back. You can't sleep in the nicu. They won't let you.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
They find you dozing off. They're like, gotta go.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Really?
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Yeah.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
And you want to be there with your child.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Got out of the icu, that I could even spend the night at the hospital. That's a whole thing that you don't even know. So Shiloh was such a journey. Oh, my goodness. I didn't even. If. If I was to look back, I'd be like, how did I even make it through?
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
You know, even now, like, how am I still making it through? Because every day, it's like a turn. It's. We turn the corner, but she's still here with us. And we're celebrating her second birthday in a week.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Wow. Look at. God, that is beautiful.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Yeah. She's thriving. She's taking steps now. Wobbly. Yeah, she's a wobbly girl.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yes.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
So I always ask myself, like, you know, before, I would be like, why me? Like, why? Like, why does happen? Because with ivf, they give you the option to test your embryo. We did. We did not spare any expense. It was like, of course we want.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Absolutely.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
We want to know. We want to have a healthy baby.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yes.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
But they said it could have been a mutation that developed. You know, when they checked, everything was there. You know, there were no chromosomal abnormalities. Genetic screenings were fine, but they said it was a duplication and a depletion in chromosome number seven. I was like, what does that mean?
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Right.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
And we did the homework and the research, and they were like, there's only four other cases of this.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
What?
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Yes.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
And she's a miracle baby. Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
When you look at it, it's like, when they're looking at it, they're like, are all the books on the shelf? Okay. Are all the pages in the book? Yes. So all those boxes were checked. But with her disorder or her genetic disability, when you open that book up that one page has the words written backwards, so once you decode it, you'll understand it. But, like, for her, she's gonna meet all her milestones. It'll just be delayed.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
So I'm like, well, you know, delay is not a denial.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
It is not.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
And, yeah, she's doing really well.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
That's good. That's amazing. Now, big sister Shia, because you have had to spend a lot of time with Shiloh. How has she been handling everything?
Shamia Morton Mwangi
That was very hard. And even now thinking about it, like. Because she doesn't understand.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah. How old is she now?
Shamia Morton Mwangi
She just turned six. November.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Okay.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
So she would, like, get jealous. Like, you're always with Shiloh. And then other times, she would come like a toddler. She would come and say, I want to get a new baby. I want to get one that doesn't have all those cords and tubes and, you know, and, yeah, it was heartbreaking because he was like, I understand.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
You know.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
It'S okay. It's okay.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
You don't want to talk.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah, it's okay.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
So she was our know. And it was a lot on my family. You know, now we are divided house. My husband's with Shia. I'm with Shiloh. And then we would swap, and then, you know, she was like, when are you gonna come home? And, you know, and like, why can't I play with Shiloh like this? Why can't she? When is she gonna call? When is she gonna. And these are all very normal questions, you know, four year old, and at the time, they weren't allowing kids under the age of four in the hospital.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah. So she couldn't even be.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
So she couldn't even come and see. And we would have to send pictures. We have to FaceTime. So it definitely made our family stronger. And I do thank God that I had a very strong support. That's the thing. You really do know who your. A lot of people that reached out to me weren't even, like, my closest friends. It was strangers, like, praying for you and reading those comments.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Honey, you had prayer warriors. I did. I'm telling you.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
And I was like, wow, this is just. It just felt so good, you know, I just felt the love.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
And I don't even know, even to this day, I'm like, I don't even know how to thank all those people because it was just such. It really helped me through a lot of stuff.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
It's okay. You are so strong, Shamia. And the way you carry it with such grace. Like, I would see you document and show everybody what you were going through. And I'm looking like, I don't know how she's holding it together. Still showing up with a smile on your face, you know? And I just. I commend you for that.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Thank you.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
I mean, and that's the thing. Like, you know, it's crazy because, like, when you think about it, you're like. Like, sometimes if you just fake laugh and you fake pretend, eventually it'll take on its own thing, and you'll feel happy. You'll feel great. And that's what I would have to do. Like, I would have to, like, turn. Get in my car and just turn on my gospel music and just cry it out and just bounce back, figure it out. But, like, just. I think when you're in it, you don't even. You don't have time to even breathe. You don't have time to. Yeah, you just gotta go.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
You don't go, go, go, go, go. Right. Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
And I mean. I mean, I'm happy to be in a better space now. And she's a lot healthier. Yeah. But, yeah, like, it's. It's just been a journey, you know? And that's why now I don't even question people. When I. Before, I would be like, what do you want, a boy or a girl? And it would be like, a healthy baby. And I'd be like, all right.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Okay. Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Now I'm like, no.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yes.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Because Shia was so easy, you know?
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yep.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Maybe Shia's gonna get me in the end. Shy will be easy. Shia will be easy later. And Shia's gonna tear me up later.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Oh, really? Not. But on a lighter note.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
I know.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
No, it's beautiful. And I wanted you to tell your story because it's so many women that are going through the same things that don't have the outlet that we have, and they see you, and they just think, oh, my gosh, she's got this amazing, glamorous life and doing all the things, but not realizing what you're really going through.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
And that's why. I mean, I appreciate you allowing me to share on your platform, because everything isn't great. And that's what I was saying, like, even on the show this season, I want people to see real life stuff. You can have all the money in the world, but life can happen to you.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yes.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
And you're forced to just figure it out.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
We're not exempt. People think that, like, we're exempt from sickness, from depression, from everything. Just because you have money. That does not change it absolutely. Not.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Absolutely not. So to me, that's what's important. Like, just sharing your story and hoping that I can change lives in the process of it. Because I was confused, you know, not knowing, you know, the moms out there that have children with special needs, not knowing what that future is going to be like. That's a scary thing.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yes.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
And I understand that, like, I was on radio where people would call in for Big Ticker's big blessing and would be like, I've been out of work for this amount of time. My daughter is autistic or, you know, has autism or is on the spectrum. And I would be like, well, you know, maybe they can just go work here. And I would just be like, yeah, somewhat judgmental, like, why wouldn't they just do this? Or, well, maybe we can help them, but can't they just go, yeah. And it's like, now that I'm in it, oh, my goodness. It's the doctor's visits, the bills, like, it is a lot.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
And the patience that it takes with the child.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
The patience, like, outside of the specialist that she has to have for each of these things, she has to have physical therapy OT speech. Those are all additional doctors and nurses that have to come either come into your home if you have the means to do that, or take them to.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Those appointments and imagine if you don't have it.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Yeah. In the beginning, I was going to three doctor's visits, sometimes a day. Yeah. So, like, I can't imagine the people that don't have the means to do that. My heart goes out to them, and that's my focus.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
I'm just trying to help. I love that. I love. You do an amazing job at it. I remember. I guess it was probably like 20, 15, 16, 17. Ish. We were both single. Cause when did you get married?
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Yes, I got married in 17.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah. So around that time we was single.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
We trying to figure it out. Yeah, we thought a little bit.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah. Shit. But you figured it out. You married. And I want. My question is, how did you integrate into the Kenyan culture? Because I know, like, being American from this area, like, that was a big thing. Yeah. What was that like back then?
Shamia Morton Mwangi
You know, it wasn't that cool to be with an African culture.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
No, it wasn't.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
It was almost like y'all used to have them little nasty memes on social media. It was like the African starter kit, Chanel, Ashy Fasali, all this stuff. Oh, me. I was like, oh, my gosh, this is so mean. And so then when I met mine, My Kenyan man. It was like, oh, girl, you need to get him tested. Make sure he don't give you aids. And I was like, what?
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Personally, you do that with everybody?
Shamia Morton Mwangi
He was a friend during that time.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
What?
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Cause she was, like, spreading this rumor that my husband had all these wives.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Oh, my goodness.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
And kids and. I mean, it was nasty work. I was like, girl, I just couldn't even believe it. So I had to date him through all that stuff. Right.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
That's tough. Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
I mean, we even got into the cultural differences.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah, I want to get into that, too.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
But, like, that was. It wasn't cute back then. Now it's, like, glamorized. Like, ooh, yeah.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Get you an African man.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Introduce me to one of his African friends. Now it's like, ooh. But back then, it was like, girl, she probably wanted one of his five wives.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Wow.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Not know. I mean, it's just ignorance, honestly.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Now, how did you, like, not let that get to you? Because I know sometimes you hearing people talk about you.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Good man. I know. Oh, I had a good man. When I tell you that, man, like, just, you know, he wrapped me up. I mean, his person just. He was just so kind. You know what I mean? Say, get you somebody that love you more than you love them. Like, just worship them. Dirty draws. That's a real thing.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
And every time I would find a flower in a relationship, and I would get ready to, like, I'm done. I want. He'll be like, let me tell you something. I will never leave you.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Wow.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Like, one day, I remember getting so pissy mad about my order being wrong at Chick Fil A. Like, come on. Like, not looking back. You in for anything you like, a good man will make you feel stupid about being mad at Bratty. It's like, I was like. I said, extra pickles, pepper Jack, and American. And he was like, I'm sorry.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Oh.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
And I was just like, oh, I'm really. I had a nastiest attitude about it at first. I was like, it's simple. I just asked for this, you know? And he was just like.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Do you feel like at that moment you were looking for an out? Or you just, like, picking at everything?
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Just pick, I think, because, you know, been single long then you. Especially coming from a relationship that was abusive. I just had to let go of some of those because I was flawed. I was also flawed. You know what I mean? Like, I. I wasn't perfect, and I think running is the easy way.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Absolutely. Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
And my parents have been married almost 50 years, and I was just like, you know what? Let me take it back. Like, this is a good man. He don't beat me. He don't cheat. He's God fearing. He comes from a great family that's similar to mine. His family loves me. They're very kind people. It ain't even the family that I had to worry about. It was all the other Kenyans that I would cook for my man and. And would show what I cook. And they would be like, that meat don't look done. Or they'd be like, that ain't how Kenyans eat. Or, we don't like that chicken this kind of way. And I'm like, well, he like it.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
And he would be.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
He would be the one like, don't worry about that. I love your chicken. It tastes better than this. Or, yeah. And then he took me to Kenya.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
How was that?
Shamia Morton Mwangi
And they were so welcoming. I mean, they were at the airport with flowers and balloons and a banner, and I was like, ah, I'm home.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yes. Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
It was so amazing. And just to understand the culture more, you know, a lot of people don't know this. I actually took Swahili. I went back to Georgia State.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Really took Swahili. Oh, you were invested.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Because what you're not gonna do is talk about me. And I don't know what y'all saying.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
I know. That's why.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Hey, guess what they did, girl.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
What?
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Started speaking they tribal language. You like their class for this? They were like, yeah, we don't do Kikiyu. We don't know it. So, yeah. So then I lost Soheili. Because you know when you don't use it, you lose it. No one's seeking it around me. I was, like, done with it. But. But I was. He was so impressed that I was so invested. And I aced the class. They even were trying to send me on a summer fully submersive program, like in Tanzania or Tanzania. And I was here for it. He was like, yeah, no, and you're about to marry me, so just stay over here.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
I know. That's right. So how long did y'all date before he asked you to marry him? That's good.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
That's a good.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
And let me tell you what I used to do, though. In my 20s, I would give people two and a half years. Like, if you ain't put a ring on it, I'm out of here. That's a real thing. And so when I met my husband, first of all, I always talk about manifestation.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yes.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
I changed my name and his Phone to wifey. And then I would always play Ushers. Baby, I've been making plans and. And then Wale's matrimony.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
How's the song go?
Shamia Morton Mwangi
If there's a question that's the same thing. That's the same thing. Yeah, you got it.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
I'm saying every time we get in the car, it would just be like. It don't be like he was even singing. It don't belong to anyone but you. I be like, yes, yes, I got you. That's okay.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
You like, sing it, baby.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Yeah, sing that, baby. Sing that. Husband, husband, husband. All the time. Hey, babe. Hey, hubby. All that giving him that.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
And he did it. And he knew in the back of his mind, because I'd already let him know when we were dating two years. He's like, so what does it mean at two years? Are you just gonna come and break up with me? And I was like, no, but there'll be signs that I'm dating other people. I'm not gonna hide it. And he's like, what?
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Right?
Shamia Morton Mwangi
That's crazy. So if everything's great in our relationship at two years, if you're not engaged or we're not, you're gonna just. It's like. Yeah.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
You said yes.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Yeah, That's a strong yes. Solid yes.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Wow.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Baby. That. That two year mark started coming up and I was like. We went to. You remember the guy that wrote the book Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus? John Gray.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yes. Yeah. Okay.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
So he. This is. My husband's an avid John Gray guy. Like, he read all the love books, all the. On dating. And I went to his. We went to his love ranch in San Francisco and we did a couple's retreat. The only black couple. I was like, what is about to happen? Get out. But we did it. So we did the retreat and it was amazing. It was so good. Like, it was couples canceling. And at the end of that, because when we got home, that two years was gonna be done.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Oh, wow. What you gonna do?
Shamia Morton Mwangi
And so we were in San Francisco. He proposed at the end of the retreat.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Wow, that's perfect.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
It was amazing.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
It was.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
And I was looking at the ring.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
I was like, absolutely, yes.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
I know this is a test from God, but I'mma still say yeah.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Oh, it was. It wasn't.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
I said, yeah. It was not the chip off the old block.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
You said poo.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
It was like, it don't even. It was one of those small ones in your.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
In this one. No, ma'am.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
No one.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Actually, you are lying to me on everything I love. And I said yes to that.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Amen. Was that a choice?
Shamia Morton Mwangi
It was.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
It was. See, he was testing you to see what you was really about.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Right. And I'm like, what? He was like, yeah, I'm gonna take you to New York diamond district. You can just figure out what you want. I was like, no way. Okay, here we go. Tomorrow we flew home. I was like, I refuse to tell my family that I'm engaged and show off. He was like, let's go. Let's just go.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Aw, that's so sweet. Yeah. Is that the ring that you end up getting?
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Yes, this is. I got this. Bang. And at three years.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Wow.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
These two.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah. He did that.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Good job, right? He did a good job.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yes. And I actually do like the idea not to tell men to do this, but that he did, like, just to make sure that you were, like, in.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
It for the record.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah. But then got the right one.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Girl, I didn't even know he was banking like that. We were real frugal, and, you know.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Oh, so you didn't even know.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
No.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
So it was really about how pregnant.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
I was like, he ain't got no money, you know? Not for real.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
You know, and then. Then I kept living with him and kept loving on him, and then it got better and better. I was like, yeah. Ooh, I. I love you. You so mate.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
You are so silly.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
I was like, yeah, I'm not going anywhere.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
I love that. That means he was doing the right things. Intentional to really get your heart. Absolutely.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Like, he made like, listen. We lived in his bachelor paddle for Shia was what? Tashia was like, 4 years old right before Shiloh came.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Oh, wow.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Yeah, we didn't move until, like, three years. We stayed there for, like, four years, y'all.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Like, we didn't move to three years ago. So I had to be very patient. The patience, baby. And I was like, all right, now. Cause, you know, we in Atlanta, and people, you know, walk up to you and be like, oh, yeah, I've been to your husband's house before.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Oh, you.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Because he would have these parties, and I'd be like, oh, you have.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
You have. Okay.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
So I'll be like, yes.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Well, you ain't been here lately, right?
Shamia Morton Mwangi
So then I would be like, okay. So then I was like, yeah, I'm tired of that.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah, it's not a good feeling.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
And he stepped out, and y'all gonna see. Well, he stepped out and got me in this season of the Real Housewives Atlanta.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Make sure.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
You tune in March 9th.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
I love that, I love that.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
So you did good. I was like, I'm so happy. I was patient.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah. No, I mean, and that's the main thing, I think in this society, we have gotten so blinded by what can you do for me? And I need this and this and this. That we miss the things that if that all goes away, we miss what's truly important.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
What's truly important? Cause let me tell you, I've been in places, in positions in my life to where it's all gone away. Like, even as a child, my parents had it all and then they lost it all and then they got it all again. So I've lived on every. You know, I've seen it like some of our wealthiest people lose it all and get it all again. So what are you gonna do when.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
You lose it all?
Shamia Morton Mwangi
That man I live underneath the rock with.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Ah, see, that's what you want. That's real love. I love that.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
As long as I have a little warming blanket.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yes, we can do that. You are so silly. What has been your greatest gift that you have gotten from the Kenyan culture and your biggest adjustment that you've had to make?
Shamia Morton Mwangi
You know, I feel that it's been family. And I never thought that I could feel more family oriented than what I came from. Because like I said, my parents have been married almost 50 years. I have two older sisters. We're very close knit family. But when I went to Kenya, it's not even about what you're wearing, how much you got. Like Christmas. They're not giving each other other gifts. They're giving each other love.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Like the company, the conversation, the companionship. They're singing, they're dancing, you know, singing by the fire. Like, it's just, it's. I don't even think about, like, I'm like, okay, let me take the wig off.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
You know, I'm just strip yourself with.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
All of the things, all of the worldly things. And you're just there, present in the moment, just loving on each other and just enjoying it.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
And the food is amazing. So, like, just, if anything, I can take away from that. I want my kids to just go live in that during the summer months.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
You know, to just keep them humble.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Keep them grounded, you know, Grounded.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
And let them know that there's so much more to life than just the.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Things and their hair.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
All the things, you know? Yeah, like all the things. Okay, yeah, that's great. But then what else? What's at your core?
Krystal Renee Hayslett
What's in your heart, in your blood.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
In your blood. Like, what are you going to leave behind?
Krystal Renee Hayslett
I love bags and shoes.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
I mean, hey, they're going to tear up. Like, what's at the center?
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yes.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
What's in here?
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah. I love that. What has been your biggest adjustment when you. When it comes to integrating the two.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Oh, sometimes. Okay. Sometimes we're at family events and stuff. They're all talking across the table, and they're, you know, like.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
You know. Which I said.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
And my husband will be like, oh, guys, shimmy it. As an understanding. Understand what you're saying. He'll straight up say, I don't even have to say it. And that's a good thing.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah. That he has your back.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Yes. Because once he see me lean back and grab my phone like, this checked out. Because y'all not gonna include me. I'm not gonna keep begging and looking like, what does that mean? What did you say? What did you say? You're not. I'm not gonna. So fast.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Did you ever feel like they did on purpose, though?
Shamia Morton Mwangi
No, but I have had, like, a few of his messy friends come and say something slick and. And he would turn around, he'd be like, oh, are you saying. And would. Yeah.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Call it out. You better call it out.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
I love, like, don't leave my wife out. And that's, I think, what made it easy for us.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Because if you don't have somebody, like, calling it out for you, it can get frustrating.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
So. Yeah. And then now I'm mad that he's not teaching our daughters. I'm like, no, wait a minute. Like, I need you to speak Swahili and Kakiu to them so they know.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
So when they go home to. When they go on the summers, I'm.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Like, speak it to them so they know.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yep, absolutely. I love that.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Made it easier.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yes. What is next for you? We want to know what's on the horizon for Shamia. How can we support you? All the good things.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
So I'm releasing a single soon.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yes. Oh, yes. Shamia sings soon. Yes.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
I did some music with RL that I'm really excited about and proud of because I'd been away from music for so long, and that was, like, my first love.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
I'm back in it. So please, please, once we release it, download it.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Absolutely.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
And then I have my YouTube channel. Please get that. You know, go ahead and subscribe. It's, you know, Shamia More Morton Mwangi. But if you just type in Shmeem Morton, it'll. It'll come up or just go to my page and click on the link. You know, I, I, I don't. I think at this point, I'm just gonna do all the things you should and then just let whatever happens, happens.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
There you go. That's what 2025 is about. Doing all the things.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
I'm gonna do all the things. Singing, dancing, acting, hosting.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
I love it.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
You know, keeping it positive.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yes.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
With my girl. Like, I'm doing all that. I'm here for all that.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
And I just, I want to continue to do things that, that make me happy, that feed my soul, that inspire me and motivate me, you know, and, and, and just give me good, good peace, energy. That's what I'm about right now.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yep.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
So, yeah, my music, my, you know, the Housewives. March 9th. Go ahead, watch it. And then, of course, my YouTube. YouTube channel.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yes. And then where can we follow you so we can keep in touch with you?
Shamia Morton Mwangi
Follow me at Shamia Morton on Instagram and all, really, all social media platforms. At Shamia Morrison, I have a nonprofit called Shamia Shares where we empower our young girls. I do a cheer and dance camp every year in the summer. It's free camp, so go to my website or even my Instagram if you follow me. I'll keep you abreast on all of that stuff. I do breast cancer event every year as well. I have a, A lot of nonprofit, just free events that I like to do around the community. So just check in with me and I'll check in with you. And keep loving on me, y'all. I appreciate all that love. It really does, you know, help me out in more ways than you know it.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah. No, we got you. And can't wait to support your future endeavors. I'm always cheering for you, and I got you.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
I appreciate you, and you have to have me back.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
I will. This is amazing. Yes, they will. They will say it, too. Make sure you bring Shamia back.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
I appreciate you.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Absolutely.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
And I appreciate you just continuing to be. I know it sounds so weird when you say people, like, continue to be themselves, but I just meet so many stars that aren't themselves, and it's like, that's not the same person I met and I. And we all grow.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Yeah.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
But I appreciate the growth that you have. Your growth is like a beacon of light. It's a breath of fresh air.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Thank you so much.
Shamia Morton Mwangi
We all want to keep breathing that good old crystal air. I love it.
Krystal Renee Hayslett
Of course. No, thank you, guys. I am so full after talking to Shamia we laughed, cried. It was a beautiful, beautiful episode and conversation. But what I took away most was that you never know what people are going through. A smile and community can go a long way. I hope to see her more on the couch. We had such a good time. I'm sure you guys do as well. But remember, we're all going through something. It doesn't matter how good it looks on the outside. Just remember that we're human and we're all going through something. Thank you all so much for spending time with me today. I hope today's conversation reminds us all that we should dream big and and we can absolutely have it all. You can follow me on all social media platforms at lovechristalrenee and you can also follow our show at keepitpositivesweetie. If you want to write into our positive outcomes listener letter, you can send us an email@keepitpositivesweetiemail.com in the meantime, in between time, you guys know what to do. Keep it positive, sweeties. I'll see you next time.
Podcast Summary: "Keep it Positive, Sweetie" - Episode: More Than A Housewife w/ Shamea Morton
Podcast Information:
In this heartfelt episode of Keep it Positive, Sweetie, host Crystal Renee Hayslett welcomes Shamea Morton Mwangi, a multifaceted talent renowned for her vibrant presence on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, hosting V103's morning show, and energizing the Atlanta Hawks games. The conversation delves deep into Shamea's journey from her early days leading a church choir to navigating the complexities of motherhood, marriage, and a dynamic career.
Shamea shares her evolution from a young choir leader to a prominent figure in entertainment. Starting as a performer in the Sunbeam Choir at the Church of God in Christ, she transitioned into ballet and jazz upon her parents' encouragement (05:10). This led to her role as a dancer in the movie Drumline, igniting her passion for acting. Despite facing setbacks, such as the cancellation of a play tour (06:03), Shamea's resilience shone through as she ventured into hosting and radio.
Shamea Morton Mwangi [06:44]: "I do."
[Shamea expresses her confidence in balancing multiple roles seamlessly.]
Her persistence paid off when she secured a hosting role with the Atlanta Hawks, despite initial obstacles and job losses, illustrating her unwavering dedication.
A significant portion of the episode focuses on Shamea's intimate journey through fertility challenges. She candidly discusses the societal pressures within the Black community to prioritize career and marriage while navigating the complexities of IVF and egg freezing—a topic rarely addressed openly.
Shamea Morton Mwangi [20:43]: "I did seven rounds of IVF. Seven."
[Shamea emphasizes the emotional and physical toll of her fertility journey.]
Shamea recounts a life-threatening ectopic pregnancy that nearly cost her life (23:06), detailing the emotional strain and the critical support from her family and community. Her experience underscores the importance of resilience and faith during such trying times.
Beyond fertility, Shamea opens up about personal struggles, including coping with her daughter's health issues and maintaining her mental well-being amidst public scrutiny. She highlights the essential role of faith and community support in overcoming adversity.
Shamea Morton Mwangi [10:27]: "We're always naturally gonna be somewhat doubtful."
[Shamea reflects on maintaining trust in divine timing despite moments of doubt.]
Her transparency about the highs and lows provides listeners with a genuine perspective on balancing public life with personal challenges.
Shamea delves into her marriage, detailing the cultural intricacies of integrating Kenyan traditions with her American upbringing. She shares anecdotes about overcoming stereotypes and fostering a loving, supportive partnership.
Shamea Morton Mwangi [43:31]: "We did the retreat and it was amazing. Like, we were the only black couple."
[Shamea describes the unique experience of blending cultures and strengthening her marriage.]
Her commitment to maintaining her cultural heritage while embracing her husband's background illustrates the beauty of cross-cultural relationships.
Looking ahead, Shamea discusses her upcoming projects, including releasing new music in collaboration with RL and expanding her YouTube presence. She remains committed to her nonprofit initiatives, Shamia Shares, which empower young girls through free cheer and dance camps.
Shamea Morton Mwangi [52:04]: "I'm releasing a single soon."
[Shamea announces her return to music, signaling a new chapter in her creative journey.]
Her enthusiasm for future projects reflects her dedication to personal growth and community empowerment.
Resilience and Adaptability: Shamea's journey underscores the importance of adapting to challenges and persevering through setbacks.
Faith and Community Support: Her reliance on faith and the support of her community highlights the strength found in collective resilience.
Cultural Integration: Successfully blending different cultural backgrounds can enrich personal relationships and foster mutual understanding.
Mental Health Awareness: Open discussions about fertility struggles and personal challenges promote a more informed and empathetic community.
Shamea on Overcoming Doubt:
"I'm still doing it. I'm still working, and I'm still able to keep my youth." [06:28]
Shamea on Manifestation:
*"Now I don't even question people... it's.)" [10:27]
Shamea on Real-Life Challenges:
"Everything isn't great. You can have all the money in the world, but life can happen to you." [37:01]
Shamea on Marriage and Patience:
"A good man will make you feel stupid about being mad at Bratty." [40:51]
This episode of Keep it Positive, Sweetie offers an inspiring and authentic look into Shamea Morton Mwangi's life. Through candid conversations, Shamea exemplifies strength, grace, and positivity, encouraging listeners to embrace their multifaceted identities and pursue their dreams despite life's uncertainties. Crystal Renee Hayslett's nurturing interview style creates a safe space for these powerful narratives, reinforcing the podcast's mission to heal, love, and grow together.
Follow Shamea Morton Mwangi:
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Remember, no matter how good life looks on the outside, we all carry our own battles. Stay positive, sweeties!