Shaunie Henderson’s husband usually kept his personal life out of the spotlight. But this week on The Groow Zone, Keion Henderson had a major revelation. They’re talking about blended families and co-parenting, something that they both now have. However, both have been in similar situations from different positions. Shaunie had a blended family with Shaquille O’Neal but she also grew up knowing her father stepped out of his marriage. It shaped Shaunie’s and her mother’s individual perspectives on infidelity. So Keion is understandably worried about his mother-in-law.

In a rare moment of disclosure, the pastor revealed that he was the product of an affair. His biological father was absent and his mother raised him. She’d later marry and his stepfather (though Keion doesn’t care for the labels) was the closest to a father figure he had. However, he confessed to Shaunie it was a delicate balance and he could see his stepfather treated his bio-kids differently from him.

Shaunie expressed that her mother, Dear Nelson, held a lot of anger towards her late husband’s affair children. That’s when Keion cut in to say, “I am the child… born to my father…” Shaunie, who’s obviously aware of her husband’s background, confirmed, “She [Dear] wouldn’t have liked [you].” It made Keion cautiously say, “I hope she don’t know that I born like that cuz she might stop likng me.” 

We know through Shaunie’s memoir, Undefeated, that she had an early lesson on infidelity before Shaq. Her father had children while still married to Dear but Shaunie’s parents remained married until her father’s death in 2022. However, Shaunie wrote that her mother held on to a pent-up anger towards him. In order to not live with similar resentment, Shaunie separated from Shaq in 2009 and finalized their divorce in 2011.

So you can understand Keion’s complicated position. And why he would be worried that Dear might not like him because of his background?

Shaunie Henderson’s mom adores Keion Henderson

Just as quickly as she said that Dear wouldn’t like him, Shaunie rejected the idea too. “She would love on you,” she told Keion. “‘Cuz you would need to disrupt her house.” Keion didn’t disrupt her house. So he’s more than safe in Dear Nelson’s good books. She’s even confident that Keion is nothing like her father.

In fact, last week on The Groow Zone, they dished on Keion and Dear’s unique friendship. Dear was also an active member of her church community and they talk about their faith often. When they visit her in California, they indulge in gospel music on Dear’s piano. And she’s not above correcting Keion when he messes up a note.

Keion even said that if Shaunie gets too wild, he tattles to Dear. Shaunie is a 49-year-old mother of five but only Dear can school her. Keion doesn’t have to worry about getting rejected by her.