Doja Cat’s father Dumisani Dlamini denies abandoning her, blaming her mother for shaping the narrative behind their long-running rift.
Doja Cat’s ongoing family dispute resurfaced over the weekend, as her father, Dumisani Dlamini, publicly pushed back against her long-standing claim that he was an absent parent.
The tension between the two is not new. In previous interviews, Doja Cat has said she grew up without a relationship with her father, having been raised primarily by her mother in the United States. She has consistently described him as absent during her childhood, noting that the two never formed a close bond.
Dlamini, however, has disputed that characterization in the past, maintaining that he did not abandon his family but was separated from them due to circumstances beyond his control.
In a series of videos shared online, Dlamini addressed his strained relationship with his daughter, stating that he loves his children and contributed to their upbringing.
He claimed that as Doja Cat’s career gained momentum—particularly following the success of breakout hits like “Say So”—her perception of him was shaped by her mother, whom he accused of damaging his reputation and convincing Doja that he had walked out on the family.
His comments came in response to a recent video from Doja Cat titled “Deadbeat Chronicles,” in which she described trolling her father by sending him a link to explicit content instead of tickets to one of her “Tour Ma Vie” performances in South Africa, where Dlamini resides.
Addressing the situation, Dlamini said Doja’s actions were influenced by her mother and expressed disappointment that she did not meet him during her visit to South Africa, despite having the opportunity.
He also offered a broader message, apologizing if he had offended anyone and emphasizing that he considers himself a person guided by integrity, respect and love.
While Doja Cat has publicly acknowledged her father’s artistic background as a South African performer, she has continued to state that she did not know him growing up and that they remain estranged.
Reports over the years have pointed to a prolonged distance between the two, suggesting that the current dispute reflects a deeper, long-running family divide rather than a sudden falling out.
