In this segment of Karamo’s talk‑show, Ray, a man who believes he may be the biological father of Anna Grace, recounts his 18‑year absence and the circumstances that kept them apart. He explains that he and Anna’s mother were very young, became involved in drugs, and lost custody of their child, which led to the girl being placed in foster care. Ray spent years trying to locate her, eventually finding her on social media while she lived in Alabama, and reached out a decade ago. Anna Grace describes the shock and fear she felt when a stranger claimed to be her dad, questioning why he had disappeared for so long. The conversation moves to their first in‑person meeting after Anna turned 18, where Ray expresses deep emotional attachment, shares a song he wrote for her (“Zoe Jane” by Stained), and reveals they got matching tattoos as a symbol of their bond. Karamo interjects, emphasizing Anna’s abandonment issues and urging her to hold onto the fact that someone was searching for her, regardless of biological certainty. Ray also mentions his amicable relationship with Ruth, Anna’s mother, noting there is no ill will. The segment blends personal testimony, emotional reconciliation, and therapeutic commentary on abandonment and identity.
Chapters
I did know about her over the years. I was away in boot camp in the military.
So then why didn't you see her for 18 years?
Her mom and I were really, really young at the time. We got involved in drugs and all the kids were taken. I tried to contact her throughout the years. She was taken away. I had no idea how to find her for a long time.
Understandable.
I tried everything I could. The only thing I knew about this young lady right here is she was in Alabama.
And when was that first time you reached out to her?
Probably over 10 years ago. I know that her, I found her on social media and all her pictures at the time were young.
That's actually what started the whole me being sat down at the kitchen table. It's 'cause he messaged me and I was like, who is this random person telling me they're my dad? What is this?
And that started the conversation.
Got it.
That's when they thought it was time to tell me and they told me. And when they told me, it did break my heart. And I was wondering who this dude was.
And that's why you started to block him and start to figure out.
'Cause I was scared. It made me feel scared because why after 7 years are you trying to message me and get in contact with me? Where were you the other 7 years? 'Cause that's hard to, it's hard to understand as such a young child that things happen and there could actually be reasons that they can't be there.
If I had that option, I would've been. I had no idea where you were. Look, there wasn't a day that went by that I did not think about this girl. There's a couple of songs that I've played for her that I listen to one of them every day religiously. That is my song to her.
Very, very religious song.
This girl is my heart. The name of the song is Zoe Jane by Stained.
And he did embarrass me at karaoke by changing Zoe Jane to Anna Grace in front of everybody.
Look, this is my mini me, y'all. I love this girl. This is my daughter no matter what. Look, we went so far as we've got matching tattoos here. We got this after we met last year as an adult, like, and this basically sums up everything. She is my missing puzzle piece. She's got the puzzle piece.
Yeah, oh, that's sweet. When did you two finally meet?
We met last summer when I was 18, right after I graduated.
I need you to really receive this because you have abandonment issues that you're gonna be processing for a while. And I need you to understand that as you had abandonment issues, though we don't know if Ray is your biological father, we do know that at least someone was trying to reach out. And that is something for someone who has abandonment issues to know that there was somebody searching for me. There was someone looking out. I just need you to hold onto that.
Going what he was saying about abandonment issues, baby girl, I'm not going anywhere. 17 and a half years was robbed from us. Nobody's taking anything else from us. We're gonna get to know each other and I'm gonna be there to help you find your voice and figure out who you are.
How's your relationship with Ruth?
We speak. There's nothing, no ill will or anything. I care about her.
