In this Karamo episode, guest Kamara learns from her uncle in 2008 that she may have a sister, Rashea, who is the same age. Kamara reaches out, meets Rashea, and introduces her to her family, receiving warm acceptance. The family attempts to obtain a DNA test from Kamara's father, who refuses, creating tension. Throughout the conversation, Kamara discusses her relationship with her father, her mother, and the emotional impact of the possible sibling. Cousin Sharlinda supports the sister theory, noting physical resemblances. The show builds anticipation for a DNA reveal. When the envelope is opened, the test shows Kamara and Rashea are not biologically related. Both women express sadness but emphasize that their bond remains, declaring each other as sisters by choice. Karamo offers closure advice, suggesting a direct DNA test with the father, and the participants reflect on grief, love, and the chosen sisterhood that persists despite the genetic result.
Chapters
When did you first find out that you may have a sister that you didn't even know about?
It was early 2008.
Okay.
Yeah.
And what was that like for you?
It was shocking and exciting. I mean, growing up, I always wanted more siblings. And one day I was visiting my uncle and he's like, "You know you have a sister, right?" And I'm like, "What?" Yeah, yeah. Like, how did that happen?
Yeah.
Yeah.
It's always so interesting how other family members just drop it on people. Like, always, and just like, "Hey, you know this?" And it's like, "No girl, I didn't know this." You know what I mean? Yeah. So what exactly did your uncle say to you during that time?
He basically, he said, "Yeah." He said, "You know, you have a sister named Rashea. You guys are the same age." And he's like, "I see her all the time." And I was like, "I wanna get in contact with her." Were you shocked that your father could have another child out there? Yes and no.
Okay.
I knew my dad, you know, was my dad back in the days. And so I was always surprised that it was only just me and my brother. You know, I grew up thinking me and my brother were his only children. I didn't know how that happened.
So.
Yeah, yeah. So Papa was a rolling stone.
Yes.
Okay, got it. Yes, yes, so. So what did he say? What did your father say to you when you confronted him about this and said there could be, I could have a sister?
Basically, he said there's a possibility. You know, he said there is a possibility.
And did he ask for a DNA test?
No.
He did not?
Me and Rashea are only 2 months apart, and I believe Rashea's birth or that infidelity is what led to their divorce when I was 3 years old.
Got it. I just wanna let everyone know at home that we actually did reach out to your dad to take the DNA test, but he refused. And did not wanna come on the show.
Yeah.
Yeah. Was it a good relationship with your mom?
It was, it was. Me and my mom had a good relationship. We had some challenges, you know, as a teenager because, you know, not having your dad consistently in your life, you make mistakes, you know? And I struggled a lot in high school with depression and anxiety. Started drinking really young. Got her. And so, you know, even though I was a good student, I gave my mom some challenges.
Yeah, yeah. Yeah. Did you ever question if your father was your biological father?
I didn't.
You didn't?
No, my entire life it was, you know, this is your dad. And, you know, I would see him, you know, once a year, twice a year. My mother kept a very close relationship with his family. So even though I didn't have my dad, I had my aunts, I had my uncles, I had my cousins. You know, those things that he didn't show up, he wasn't at high school graduation, but my aunts and my uncles were there.
Yeah, they had their support there, which is great. My producer told me earlier that there, I guess maybe some point in your life, did you have doubts that he could be your father?
There was rumors, I guess, but it wasn't me having doubts. I think it was, you know— The rumors coming up.
The rumors, yeah.
So people kept saying like, Maybe he could not be your father as well.
Right.
Interesting.
Yeah.
So how did you first connect with your potential sister?
I asked my uncle for her phone number and I reached out to her and I told her I wanted to meet her, you know? And I was super excited because I've always wanted a sister. And so I reached out to her and we connected and there was almost an immediate bond.
And what happened when you invited her to meet the family?
Oh my goodness. So I was moving from California to Alaska and they had a going away party for me. And I brought her in and was like, Dad, this is your daughter, you know?
Wow.
He embraced her like, yeah, this is my baby. He hugged her, he made her feel welcome.
Wow.
I introduced her to the rest of the family and everybody embraced her and welcomed her. Like she was part of the family. I didn't feel any refusal at that point.
Yeah. Did anyone in your family doubt that she could be your sister?
Everyone that I've talked to have said there's a possibility. Her mother was a really good friend.
There were possibilities that, that still treaded in doubt. Exactly.
Exactly. Yeah. Yeah.
And how was learning about Vaché change your relationship with your dad?
It's put a little strain on our relationship because I've been pushing for him to do the DNA. I've been pushing and I'm like, Dad, we just need to get the answers. I just, I wanna help her get those answers, you know? And, you know, we rekindled a really good relationship when my mother passed away when I was 25. My dad and I developed a bond, you know, and we've been close all that time. And now there's some distance. There's some distance because I think I've been pushing the issue on this. But I know he has to come around in his own time, but it's hard, you know, my feelings are hurt.
Yeah, of course.
You know.
Yeah, it makes sense.
It's sad, I miss him. I miss our talks and—
It's interesting that your relationship with your father has gotten worse as you tried to bring someone in to get closer. Closer.
Yeah.
You know, it makes me wonder what his motives are and what's going on in his mind. Yeah. So how has this entire thing affected you and Rashe'As relationship?
Actually, it's brought us closer together. Even our children, we had children at the same time. You know, my first 2 kids are 2 boys, they're 26 and 21. Her first 2 kids are 2 girls and they're 26 and 21.
Oh wow, that's interesting. Yeah.
So there's just a different connection.
So it sounds like you have no doubts that she could be your sister.
I wouldn't say I don't have any doubts.
Okay.
In my mind, I feel 80% she's my sister. Yeah. You know, and there's that 20% that says I just don't know.
Yeah.
I just don't know.
Wow. Okay, well listen everyone, Camara's cousin, Sharlinda, says there's no doubt these women are sister. I wanna hear from her now. Everyone please welcome Sharlinda to the show. How you doing?
I'm doing good.
How you doing? Can I have a hug? Thank you. Thanks for being here today.
Of course.
Please take a seat.
Hi, Karamo.
Okay, so how did you find out about Rashea?
My son, he plays football.
Uh-huh.
She is the athletic director. And when we had got there, her and my son just bonded like all the way. So it made it to where we just kept talking and talking and talking like every single day. And then one day I asked her where she was from She said San Bernardino. She had already been telling me her sister moved to Alaska. She was trying to find her sister, but I didn't never put two and two together.
Yes. So why are you so confident after that one moment that they could be sisters?
She looked like a whole bunch of my aunties. She even looked like Kamar's dad.
Okay, yeah. She looked like your father as well.
She does.
Exactly. All right everyone, I'm here to solve a 45-year-old DNA mystery. Does Kamara have a long-lost sister? Her cousin Charlinda says she does. Everyone welcome her potential sister, Reshay, to the show. Thank you for being here. May I have a hug? How are you doing today?
I'm good.
Good, good, good. So when did you first learn about Kamara?
At her going away party.
Yeah, and what was that like for you?
It was an experience for me, but I was happy.
Yeah, I'm sure it was a wild experience. Yeah, 'cause you're getting thrown into all these people right now that are like, this is my family. Wow, you two look a lot alike. Right? Right? I'm just looking at it. No, you two. Yeah, y'all look a lot. Yeah. I can't believe it. It's just 'cause y'all were sitting right next to each other when I turned right there.
Yeah.
So why do some people think that it's possible that y'all don't have the same father?
For one, my grandma raised me and then the father that I had that raised me all the way until I was 30 years old, he had his own daughter and then he started rejecting me.
Yeah.
So then I asked my mom like, "Hey, like what's going on?" And she was like, "Well, Kamara's father is your father." Tell me, what was it like meeting him for the first time? I talked to him at the party and he was fine. And then after that, talked to him a couple of days later, told him he had grandchildren and he was like, "Okay, we gonna keep in touch." And then I called him, nothing.
So that was the last time you heard from him?
Yeah.
Wow. How does that make you feel that he hasn't tried to reach out to you?
I was angry, but the type of person I am, I was like, "Hey, I'm not gonna worry about it." Yeah. I was like, as long as I had her, I wasn't really tripping.
So you reached out to your potential father on Father's Day?
Yeah.
And what happened?
I text him like, "Hey, happy Father's Day." Never text back. Only thing I wanted was a closure. I'm not asking him for nothing. And that's all. And then the love. That's it.
So how's your relationship changed since you two met?
Our relationship hasn't changed at all.
Mm-hmm. It's gotten stronger? Stronger. Good job.
Yes, we have fun.
I love that. Yes. What allows you to be so sure that this is your sister?
Well, I'm gonna say this. If she's not my sister, she's still gonna be my sister.
'Cause the love is there.
The love is there. The bond is there.
Yeah. Well, before we reveal the outcome of the DNA, Kamar, are you ready to know this truth?
I am. I just love her. I love her children and I just want closure.
And Brashae, are you ready to know this truth?
Yes, sir.
Okay. Well, listen, in this envelope is the DNA mystery is solved. Which one of you would like to open it? I'll. You'll open it? I'll open it. Here you go.
We've been waiting for these.
Oh no. Huh?
What does it say?
You're not your sister. Don't cry.
It says that you all are not sisters?
Yes.
We're still sisters.
Yeah, we are. Don't cry. No, you don't deserve your cry.
I'm very sorry for that. How's that making you all feel in this moment? I know it must be hard.
It makes me feel sad.
Yeah.
'Cause I really believed it.
Yeah, my heart is hurt.
Yeah.
My heart is just—
It's okay. It's not my fault, it's not your fault. It's, you know, it's all good.
That's exactly it. This is neither of your faults.
It's not.
None of this, yeah. I've said this before many times, these are adults who made decisions and couldn't give you all the closure, the answers that you all deserve and needed.
We have the closure, so that's all that matters.
Yeah. Yeah. I will tell you this though, because this has been cases in this instance that I would encourage if it's possible for us to test your father. There is options there that I would still tell you to find, get a DNA test directly with him. I would just encourage that if that makes sense.
I'm okay.
Yeah.
I'm fine.
Yeah. Yeah. Well, because you've had years to process this and to grieve this. Right. So for you, this is, you've already sort of taken the time to grieve this. This has been something that for you all, you're grieving now. Yeah. How are you feeling about this, Karamo? 'Cause you know.
She's still my sister.
Yeah, of course.
She's still my sister. You just don't have a bond with someone like this overnight.
Yeah.
You know. She has, you know, God brought us together because I think I needed her light in my life. And so I'm not letting her get away from me.
Yeah, definitely. I think that's such a beautiful thing. I'm sorry that you couldn't get the answers you needed now. I would encourage you not to stop this journey right here. If you need our support, we're here for you. Good luck to all three of y'all, right? I'm so glad to have met you all. Yeah. Hold on, where you going? I'll tell you where you're going. Right here to subscribe and right here to watch more. Period.
