In this KARAMO episode, host Karamo interviews Kelly, an adoptee and former foster child, about her lifelong search for her birth family. Kelly recounts being adopted at age nine in 1984, growing up with foster parents, and the deep yearning to know her biological roots. She describes how a chance discovery of her birth mother’s name in high school transcripts led to a phone conversation that revealed her alleged father’s identity, Billy Wells Sr., who had died in 2010. In 2015, Kelly used Facebook to locate Shalonda, a woman who shared her presumed father's name and appeared to be a sibling. Their initial messages were met with confusion and occasional ghosting, reflecting both parties' fear of rejection and past family trauma. Over nearly a decade of intermittent communication, they built a tentative sisterhood. The episode culminates in a live DNA test that confirms Shalonda is Kelly’s biological sister. Both women express overwhelming joy, relief, and a sense of belonging, while Karamo and the studio audience celebrate the reunion and emphasize the importance of perseverance in uncovering one’s identity.
Chapters
Tell me, when did you first find out you were adopted?
I always known I was, I was a foster kid first. Yes. So I was adopted at 9 in 1984.
1984.
Yeah, so.
You could've said '94, girl, we would've believed it.
Girl, the skin's good, okay.
So who raised you as a child?
My foster parents at first. And then at 9, after seeing other people get adopted, They went ahead and adopted me and my brother, which is, he was a foster kid as well.
How often did you wonder about your biological family?
A lot.
A lot, yeah.
You know, because I was foster kid. So you see, you know, biological people with their parents, my best friends, their families, they know where they come from, who they look like. And then for me, I was just constantly looking in the mirror, you know.
So what age did you start to look for your biological mom?
Mother? Oh man, I got the name from a family, close family friend of my birth mother when I was like 16. And so that began my search, knowing her name, you know? So that was like, okay, I'm gonna find out who this person is. So I looked in all the White Pages when I was at home and looking for Nelson.
Okay, now we know it was '84, Carol, 'cause when you said White Pages, half y'all in here like, what you talking about? Okay.
So I looked in the White Pages, you know, I would look again and never found it. And so I always looked and always wondered. It was in 2010, I was working for a company and a cousin of mine came in and I was looking at her original transcripts, high school transcripts. And I saw her name was, at that time in high school, was Nelson. And I said, hey, my name used to be Nelson. And I said, "My mother, actually her name is [MASKED] Nelson." And she said, "That's my favorite aunt." And so that's how it came out. Just like miraculous, right?
Oh wow.
I was like, "Oh my God." Yeah. And so that's how it happened.
The odds of that years later.
I was 34.
Yeah, when that just happened.
I was 34.
Oh my gosh. So what did your birth mother tell you about your alleged birth father over the phone?
When I was on the phone with her, 'cause like, you know, quite honestly, I finally got to talk to her on the phone, and when I finally got up the courage to ask her, 'cause you know, I was hearing all kind of things, so I asked her, I was like, "Well, who you say my father is?" And she said, "Your father is Billy Wells Sr." You know, and I'm like, "Okay, I got a name, right?" Yeah, yeah. And so that's how that came out, and I began to search.
Yeah, of course.
And I never gave up though.
Did you ever get to meet Billy Wells Sr.?
No.
Okay.
He passed away in 2010.
Okay.
And I didn't know he passed away until I found the obituary on the internet, you know?
Got it. Explain how you believe Shalonda is related to you now then.
Well, you know, when I found in 2015, I found the article on the internet and I says, "Man, I look like him." You know, you look, just be honest, you know, as a foster kid, You look for somebody, you look for yourself in somebody.
Yeah.
Here you go, love. Here you go, love.
Thank you.
Yeah, you're welcome.
You look for yourself in people.
Yeah.
Everywhere you go. You know, somebody say, "Oh, you look like such and such." You like, "Oh, what if I'm kin to him?" Yeah, yeah. I'm sorry.
No, you do not apologize for your emotions. Never on this show.
So when I saw his picture, And when I saw his picture, I was like, I kinda look like him. You know? You know. So I saw his parents' name. I saw his parents' name on there. And then I saw that he has children. And Shalonda's name. And I was like, oh wow, you know, that's my father. I have a sister and a brother, you know? So quite naturally, Good old internet, Facebook, you know? I went back to being the investigator person that I am. And I found Shalonda's name on Facebook.
And when you first reached out to her, what happened?
I sent a message on Messenger. I said, "I think I'm your sister," you know? And I sent the same message to his sister. "I think I'm your niece," you know? Just to see if they were gonna respond. And I don't know if it took a while or not, But when she did reach back, you know, I was excited to tell her what, you know, what I thought and what was told to me. And she was like, "My father never said he had any kids, you know?" Yeah. "Other kids, you know?" So—
That must have been a bit of a blow. 'Cause it's not saying that it couldn't be, but it's just that like—
That he didn't know.
Yeah, he didn't know. Yeah.
And that's a foster kid. He wanted it.
Yeah.
"Who are they? Do they even care?" You just really wanna be a part. It's something I've been wanting ever since I was a kid. Just to know where I come from. Just who is my family? Who are my people? Not the adopted people, not my best friend's family, my people. Your people.
I hear you.
I hear you. I'm so sorry.
Will Shalonda embrace you as a sister?
I think it was just like, "Oh God, who is this?" You know?
Yeah.
And then I think everybody was pretty apprehensive. You know, I don't know.
Do you fear rejection from Shalonda?
That's a loaded question.
I know, I know.
That's a loaded question.
I do that, but I help unpack later.
Thank you.
Okay.
Thank you. I appreciate you.
Okay.
'Cause it may need to get unpacked, okay? I've often felt a lot of reserve. A lot of standoffiness. If I call or text and not get anything back.
Yeah.
It's different.
'Cause you told my producers, if I recall, that she ghosted you several times.
Yeah.
And so how long was this journey of you two talking?
I reached out to her in 2015.
2015. And it's 2024, so it's almost a decade. No. Yeah.
Don't tell me that.
I know. Well, are you finally ready to meet your potential sister?
I am so ready.
Well, everyone, I want— I think it's time now for Kelly and Shalonda to meet. So for the very first time, So please welcome Shalonda to the show, who Kelly believes could be her biological sister.
Hey, baby. What the heck is—
I don't wanna cry.
I wasn't gonna cry either.
Hi. Nice to meet you.
How are you doing? Nice to meet you.
Let me give you a hug too.
Nice to meet you too.
Thank you so much.
Of course.
Take a seat for me.
So how does it feel to finally meet Kelly?
I'm so happy.
Yes.
I'm so happy. I am so happy.
So for you, how did it feel when Kelly first reached out to you?
At first I was a little confused, really. I was excited because I always longed for a sister.
Yeah.
But I was confused because my father, we had this conversation and he, He assured me that there was no other siblings before he passed.
Got it, got it. Is that where some of the stuff came from with, 'cause she said you ghosted her sometimes.
Yeah, the doubt, not really wanting to be attached to her until I found out the truth. And that comes from my father. He was a lover, don't get me wrong, but my father had a drug addiction. As well. And a lot of times we wasn't in the same room together or around one another, you know? And then that caused the domino effect with my mother and him getting divorced. I was raised by my grandparents. And so I had like a detachment like from the people that were supposed to be solid.
Got it. Got it. Does that answer questions for you?
Yeah.
A little bit?
It makes a lot of sense because after meeting my birth mother, I ghosted. You know, after all that happened, I just kind of shut down too. And I understand, you know, the feeling of being disappointed and just the thought of going to be disappointed. I wouldn't want that for you either.
Right. I just wanted to give you time to heal after that experience.
And thank you.
That's all.
Yeah.
You know, since we've been talking, I have a deep down feeling. And Karamo, the night before your show contacted me, my grandmother, which is Billie's mother, came in my dreams. And I'm a very spiritual person. And I believe that was something awesome. I think that was a miracle. She came in my dream and she hadn't came in my dreams since she passed away.
Okay, yes. Okay. So if it turns out you are biological sisters, do you want a relationship?
Of course I do. Yes, sir. I would love to have a relationship with you.
How does that make you feel knowing that she's saying if you're biological sisters that she wants a relationship?
That really makes me feel good. I was afraid, you know? I was afraid like if even if after we find out, you know, that if in fact we're all sisters, that you would be still kind of like reserved and, afraid to, you know, get connected. I'm a good person.
I know.
I'm just like you. I love my kids. You know? I put everything into my children. Being adopted, you don't have anybody else. So when you have your own, you just kind of build your own world. Yeah. You know? It'd be nice.
Yeah, it's gonna work out. Either way it go, like I said, I think everything happens in perfect timing. And I think the 9 years that we were able to communicate and— talk back and forth, I think we just, we build a sisterhood anyway, so yeah.
I think it's now time to get to the DNA truth. This is the moment. This is what you came here for. As I tell everyone, this is not my truth to open, this is your truth to open.
Oh Lord.
So when you're ready, open it and you can read it out loud.
Okay. Let me get my breath.
Yeah, take your time. You got us here, we all supporting you.
Oh my God. This is just, I've been waiting for this kind of like all my life. I'm in a, this would mean the world to me and I'm afraid and Karamo, thank you. You're welcome. I wanna say that first before I open it because, you know, I don't know what I'm gonna say after this.
Right.
We're here for you, we're here for you. We're here for you.
Oh man. Help, you know?
Yeah.
I get ready. Am I ready? Are we ready?
I'm ready, baby. You come this far.
Oh, so whatever this is, I'm still Kelly.
Yeah. Yeah. What's it say?
Ah, twin!
Are you sisters?
I can't believe it!
Thank you, Lord. I wasn't sure. What does it say? It says Shalonda is your biological sister.
Yay!
Come on down here. Come on down here. Come on down here. I'm so happy for you.
I'm so happy for you.
I'm so happy for you.
My kids got their own auntie.
Take a seat for me. Take a seat for me. How are you feeling this moment?
Let me sit next to her.
OK.
He's like—
Come on in. It's been a long time, guys. I'm 48 years old, you know? Yeah.
I got my own sister.
I got my own sister. Oh, Yolanda. Listen, you've done the work to foster this relationship and you now have a forever connection. And I want you to know that's because of you. This is your sister. You never gave up on yourself. And you never gave up on finding your truth. And that's why you're being rewarded in this moment.
Thank you.
And you deserve this more than anyone. You deserve it. You deserve it. Know that.
And you never, ever, ever, you never, ever, ever, hold on, 'cause the world needs to hear this.
You never ever again have to question where you from or who you belong to.
Never ever have to question ever again where you from or who you belong to because this your home. Family.
It's my family. Thank you.
Listen, I'm so happy for y'all. Congratulations. All right.
Thank you so much.
All right, friends, stay with us. We'll be right back with more.
