Is The Man Who Saved Me My Real Dad? | KARAMO

Welcome to the show, friends. My guests Nate and Anissa are here to resolve a DNA mystery. Anissa says that she was rescued by her potential father at 10 years old from what she now knows was a crack house. Nate also suspected he had a daughter, but them sharing DNA was always a question. Today we will uncover the mystery. First, let's meet Anissa to get her side of the story. Hi, Anissa. How are you doing? Nice to meet you. Yes, thank you. You look great, pretty in this red.

Thank you.

Yes. So Nisa, I just gotta get to it because reading that, you went through a lot of hard things when you were younger. Tell me about it.

Yeah, I did go through a lot of hard things when I was younger. Like, I don't wanna start tearing up. Like, my mom, like, she's very abusive. Like, she was a drug addict and, you know, like, it was really hard for me because Like at that tender age, like I didn't really understand. So I was looking for love. I was looking for the love and it was always absent. Like to the point where, you know, I wasn't going to school. I didn't know how to be around other children. So I had to learn how to like act around other people.

Yeah, your social skills were gone.

Exactly. Not eating for days. I was being traded, like my body. She's selling me for drugs. And it was just hard. It was just like, I felt like, why did I exist?

Yeah.

So your potential father rescued you.

My hero. Yeah. My hero. I still call him my dad because no matter what the results say today, like I still feel that energy, that connection. Like my dad came to rescue me when I was like 10 and I was born again. I was back in school. I was around kids my age. Like I was literally eating every day.

Yeah.

Like, and all of the things that like young girls today like hate about their dads, like he's always asking where I'm at or he's overprotective. That was what I was longing for. That's what I wanted. And I got that like, but it took some time.

Yeah. And you were in a crack house at that time when he found you?

Yeah, I was.

Was that your first time seeing him again?

Yeah, that was my first time seeing him again because what my mom did was hide me from him because she was taking it, she was exploiting me. She was taking advantage of me. Not for what mothers do with daughters. This was to the extreme level. Every time he would try to get close, pack up, let's go to a different hotel or motel or crack house.

In that time period, how did you stay so strong?

Never lose hope. Like, for anybody that's going through or has been through what I'm going through, always keep that strength.

Good for you. So where are you right now in your life?

I have my own place. Like, I'm a makeup and hairstylist, working hard, like, you know, and trying to be that figure. Like, whoever is out there watching and is going through what I'm going through, just know that you're gonna make it.

You better preach. No, you keep preaching.

It's not about— It's not about what you've been through or like your past, it's about your future. Like you don't hold onto the past 'cause that's never gonna shape your future. Like for me, when I went, when my dad came to rescue me, I say that like Superman, like that restored my hope and my faith. Like, okay, like I actually get to, like I belong here. Like I could, I'm human, you know? So then I started with my passion, like doing hair, doing makeup and being social because like I, I realized that I like being around people.

Yeah, yeah.

Right?

That hope and finding your passion and never giving up, I think is so great. But I also think it was part of it is that yes, your hero came into your life and got you. But what I love about this is that it's a story of understanding we all need support.

Right.

And sometimes in the darkest moments we forget that support's out there. So I'm glad that your father, your potential father could be that hope for you and could be that support for you. So then why are you here today?

One day I heard him talking over the phone. I just heard him say, you know, it's been years and I don't know how to tell her that I might not be her dad. Wow.

And—

'Cause were you living with him at this point?

No, I wasn't. I was already, I was grown.

Oh, you were grown at this point? Yeah. So when he rescued you, you lived with him and he took care of you?

Yeah, like my own dad. Like I never like would've thought that it could be a possibility that he wasn't my dad. But then I understand like from his point because what my mom was doing. Like she was running around doing whatever she was doing. So it's a possibility. So, but I'm here to find out. And I'm here because I needed you.

Oh, thank you. Thank you. I'm glad I could be here for you. So how did that make you feel when you heard him questioning it?

It made me feel horrible. But like, I don't hate my dad. Like the only thing is like, I just felt hurt because it was like, dag, like you could have told me, you know? But he probably had his own reasons. Like I was already damaged. So he probably didn't want me to feel like, okay, like if you're not my dad, then I don't have anybody, I'm back at square one.

Yeah. So what are you hoping for today?

I'm hoping for a miracle. I'm hoping that that's my dad. Yeah. My real dad, because at the end of the day, like I know like he would never like leave me. He's been there. He never judged me. He's always been there rooting me.

When was the last time you talked to your mother or saw your mother?

I've heard, through the grapevine that she's passed away. I don't feel any way about it because it's just like, who's gonna be mad that the devil's gone, you know?

I understand that.

But I do have to say, I know that seemed a little bitter, but I forgave her.

It didn't seem bitter.

I did forgive her. That's why I was able to move on.

Yeah, yeah. Good, okay. And just let you know, it didn't seem bitter because to hear that you were rescued from your potential father, but from your father in a crack house, we can, any one of us without even experiencing that can understand why you would say, okay, you're gone. 'Cause she had her own demons that she was dealing with. And so I am glad that you have given her forgiveness and that forgiveness has allowed you to feel like you can continue to grow and I can see the woman that you've become. Well, we will find out soon if Nate is Anissa's biological father. But before we do, let's meet Nate. Welcome to the show.

And this is a very special girl. The place that I found her and I had to rescue her from, no child should have gone through it. And her mother basically exploited her for her own sickness.

Yeah.

Now I don't wanna teach my daughter to be weak at any point, so I'm trying to hold it in. I didn't know you guys could see me back there. I didn't wanna come out and tell Anissa because I'm not sure. And I didn't wanna mess up what she had going on in her life because that could've interfered in her education, you know, her dreams. And I didn't want her to look at me any different. Regardless of how them DNA tests come out, this is my daughter, period. This is my daughter.

[Speaker:KARAMO] I gotta tell you, I know you're trying to hold it in, but your vulnerability as a man, as a Black man, is a beautiful thing to see. You being vulnerable, like I heard earlier—

Has she ever really seen me cry?

No, I didn't.

And I don't want her to see it, but if it was me, it would hurt me too. I'm just trying to imagine if it was me on the other side and, you know, I'm all she got.

Yeah.

And regardless of what I want you to know, I don't care about them DNA tests. You belong to me and I'm gonna take care of you regardless what.

I'm sorry, don't cry. You okay?

So were you in Anissa's life prior to rescuing her from the crack house?

I mean, not really. I was young and in the beginning I didn't believe Anissa was my daughter because I found out things about her mother Some of her friends was letting me know, well, you know, that might not, nah, she might not be pregnant by you because she be sleeping around, running around. And it broke my heart. I just stayed away from her after that.

So you weren't in a relationship with her during that time when she was being pregnant?

Yeah, well, I thought I was. I was just being played. Yeah, but I did love her.

Yeah. Were you there when Anissa was born?

No, not in the hospital. Okay. But when I seen Anissa, And honestly, I don't wanna sound like an asshole, I was young. She was like the whitest baby ever. And I'm like, "Oh, hold on." I was like, "That's a caucus baby or something." I got a little darker. Yeah, but she did get darker. Over the years, I was just like, "Nah, nah, no, no, this is not my child." And then what switched for you?

Because like she said, you were a hero. You came and rescued her. What switched? You were 10 when that happened?

Yeah, I was 10.

Okay, so it was a lady that I knew and for some reason this lady got my number and then she called me. Actually, she called a friend of mine's and he said, "Your daughter's at this lady's house." And once I found that out, I just, I didn't even ask myself twice. I just went to get her.

Yeah.

And I never told her that.

That was like the best day of my life.

I couldn't be a man I'll come be a man again. This is when Anissa was around 10 years old. I was a little older now.

Yeah, you're 36.

So I know the difference between right and wrong.

Yeah.

So no questions, I got my daughter.

Yeah. Nate, we just all saw you during the commercial break get very emotional. What was going on in your mind?

She been through a lot.

I have.

You know? It's not really just for me. I wanna empower my daughter. I just want her to know that I'm here for her no matter what the outcome be. Just don't let it break you down. It's just gonna make us closer. And I just feel the struggle that you've been through as an individual. I know I've been there, but it didn't happen to me. My mother didn't do that to me. I just feel her pain, that's it.

Yeah.

But I'm here for you no matter what. Okay.

I love you.

I love you too, Vanessa.

I don't want you to cry.

I'm sorry.

Don't cry.

I'm sorry.

I've never seen you cry like this, so. 'Cause you always taught me to be strong and headstrong, so I love that.

What is the strength test?

Yeah, I love that. These are strength tears.

Trust me, these tears is gonna water and flourish and nourish whatever the seed we planted. Trust me.

Yes.

These are strength tears. Mm-hmm. Oh my gosh, lemme tell you something. I'm gonna say that before you just inspired something in my head. Those are strength tears.

I love it. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Karamo.

Yeah, that's beautiful. You know, Nate has been waiting 27 years to uncover this DNA mystery. Are you both ready? Yes. Yes. Yeah.

Oh my gosh, I'm nervous, man.

What are you feeling?

Oh my gosh, like, just, I like feel so nervous, like butterflies is in my stomach. Like I almost wish that we would've just left it like that, but gotta just, you know, we both deserve the truth, so.

Yeah.

Well, in this envelope is the DNA outcome of if Nate is your father.

All right.

This is the moment. I'm gonna give you the envelope so that you can See what it says.

All right.

I am. I know I am. Hey!

What? Come here.

I love that. I love that. I love that. I love that. I love that. I told you.

I told you.

You got me for a while.

I was like, no, no, no.

You got me.

I did. Yo, I took you. Don't do that, man.

Wow.

Well, I don't have to cry no more.

Yeah.

So this is your daughter. How does that make you feel?

I thought I was sterile. But thank you. Yes. Thank you, thank you.

Well, I'm glad that y'all have this information. And my producers told me that there's actually more to this story.

Yeah.

That there's something that you actually need to tell. Now we know for sure.

Yes.

That you actually need to tell your father.

Well, now that we have this clear, I hope you don't mind. I mean, the gray hair's coming in already, but you're gonna be a grandfather.

What? What? What? What? What?

What?

Come here. Come here.

I'm gonna tell you this though, Nate. This is something beautiful because in this moment right now, because of your strength and your ability to step up and be vulnerable, you broke generational chains.

Thank you. You did that. Thank you. You did that. Thank you.

And I don't wanna leave this stage without recognizing how powerful that is because you just heard your daughter say she's gonna be the best mom. She's gonna be there. And that's because you gave her a second shot.

Exactly.

Thank you.

You gave her a chance. You broke generational chains. And I think not enough time we get to look at a man, especially a Black man, and say, thank you for doing that.

Thank you.

I appreciate that. Thank you, Karamo. You did that.

You did that.

Thank you.

And you did it as well. You had the strength to continue on as well. And so I'm proud of you as well. This is on you too. You know what I mean? This child is gonna be born into a life of love and support.

Support. Yes.

Something that you two didn't have at first when you were first kids. You know what I mean? You had it later once you met him. But this is, this child is now going to never have to experience that.

Never.

And God willing, the next generation, the next generation on is gonna never have to think about, well, what happened if someone doesn't love me and supports me? Right. Because y'all have changed that.

Yes, exactly.

Yeah. Good job.

Thank you.

Yes, of course. Thank you.

I'm so happy for you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Karamo.

What is it, Papa Pat?

I'm all excited for you.

I'm proud to be so happy.

Yeah.

Thank you.

Congratulations.

I'm sorry. Now I could really say dad, like, with real confidence, with your chest.

Yeah.

Thank you, dad. Thank you.

I'm gonna be good for you. This is beautiful.

I'm so happy for you both. Stay with us, friends. We'll be right back with more. Hold on. Where you going? I'll tell you where you're going. Right here to subscribe and right here to watch more. Period.