Most '90s kids will remember Brandy Norwood for her role as Moesha on the sitcom of the
same name, but chances are there's a different "M" role that means way more to the 40-year-old
star these days: mom.
In fact, it's the first title listed in her Instagram bio, and Norwood frequently uses
the platform to celebrate her, daughter Sy'rai Smith.
Norwood gave birth to Sy'rai on June 16th, 2002 with then-partner Robert "Big Bert" Smith.
She filmed her pregnancy for a special edition of MTV's Diary series called Brandy: Special
Delivery which aired in the summer of 2002.
Norwood and Smith split a year later.
In a statement at the time, Smith's publicist said:
"Brandy and Robert are not together.
They will remain friends and will jointly raise their daughter."
Now, all these years later, their 17-year-old daughter is growing up right before fans'
very eyes - and she's as close with her mother as ever.
Not only does Brandy have her daughter's name tattooed on her wrist, but she shares selfies
with her kid on a regular basis, accompanied by captions about how much she means to her.
On Sy'rai Smith's 15th birthday, the proud mom wrote on Instagram:
"You are the greatest gift and the greatest love of all.
I treasure you and I appreciate your life."
When Sy'rai turned 17 earlier this year, Brandy wrote:
"I thank God for you everyday.
I love you with all of my spirit and I will always be here for you.
Your voice and your music will touch the world."
The proud mom doesn't just celebrate her daughter on big milestones, either.
In a 2017 appreciation post on Instagram just 'cause, Norwood wrote:
"My heart, My soul, My Life, and the only reason why I strive to be the God version
of myself!
Hands up, @SyraiIman is an angel."
Just like her mother, this 17-year-old is no stranger to the spotlight; she's even got
her own YouTube channel.
In addition to her channel, Sy'rai has her sights set on being a businesswoman.
According to her Instagram bio, she's the CEO of a soon-to-be clothing brand called
Privileged Apparel.
Currently, the page teases the business is "coming soon," with the most recent post being
shared in June 2019.
Beyond her business aspirations, Sy'rai Smith may have a future in the music industry, just
like her parents.
As well as her mother being a hugely talented singer, Sy'rai's dad is also a producer.
Sy'rai has even shown off her strong vocals on a few occasions.
In a snippet shared - and later deleted - by Norwood on Instagram in 2018, the teen sings
a few lines pretty much flawlessly.
According to the accompanying Instagram caption, Sy'rai also writes, sings, and plays the piano
and ukulele.
Back in December 2017, Norwood shared a brief video singing with her daughter and a few
friends on Instagram, writing:
"I haven't been feeling well and this has made every ache go away!!!"
Naturally, life in the spotlight is never easy, but that's never gotten Sy'rai or Brandy
down.
In February 2018, Sy'rai shared a video on Instagram Live in which she discussed her
own self-confidence.
Her proud mom reshared it on her Instagram account with the caption:
"I see God #Only in you!
I am crying and I am speechless.
#MyOnlyChild."
"Being who you are should be more important than what you look like on the outside."
In the clip, Sy'rai also discussed not caving to people's unfair standards when it comes
to physical appearance.
"Don't change because of what they say.
You should change because you want to change yourself."
Back in May 2017, Brandy Norwood reposted an Instagram comment that Sy'rai had written,
in which the teen shut down assumptions about her family.
In part, she wrote:
"My mother works so hard, I'm not spoiled…
I am Brandy's daughter and I'm proud to be.
You wish you had a mother just like her."
Along with the screenshot, Norwood herself wrote:
"Don't come for my daughter!
She's too mentally and spiritually profound!
So proud to be your Mom!"
Clearly, Norwood and Sy'rai's mother-daughter bond is pretty much unbreakable... and anyone
who tries to question that will be quickly proven wrong.
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