“[I visited] a couple of group homes in Brownsville Brooklyn and in Los Angeles. [There] wasn’t anyone making sure that these kids understood that your circumstances and where you come from has nothing to do with where you go,” said Ne-Yo, as he and co-host Arsenio Hall explained how the Fostering a Legacy benefit came about.
He later recalled visiting foster homes and seeing children as young five-years-old being given medication for behavioral problems. “Wouldn’t you have a behavioral problem if you got taken away from the only family you ever knew?” he asked. “This is not a problem you can put to bed with a pill, it’s way bigger than that.”
Lucas, who directed Ne-Yo in Red Tails, was honored for his dedication to his adoptive children. “When I learned you were the father of three adopted children I couldn’t tell you how even more impressed I became with you,” said Ne-Yo, who attended the event with girlfriend Monyetta Shaw (pictured). “I’m a fan and an admirer and still the little boy that looked up to you.”
Other guests at the exclusive Hamptons soirée included Russell Simmons, Elise Neal, Adrienne Bailon, Rosci Diaz and Paula Abdul. Ne-Yo closed out the night by performing new songs off his R.E.D., which stands for Realizing Every Dream, due out in September.