Stepping into the spotlight at just 13, Shad Gregory Moss – better known to the world as Bow Wow – exploded onto the hip-hop scene with his debut album, “Beware of Dog,” back in 2000. Introduced to the industry by none other than Snoop Dogg (who’s the one who actually gave him the stage name), Bow Wow quickly became the kind of teenage star rappers only dream about. But what’s fascinating is how his career has zigzagged far beyond rap – he’s grown up before our eyes, balancing music, movies, and TV gigs with all the messiness that comes with growing up famous.
Over the years, Bow Wow reinvented himself in more ways than most of us can keep track of. In movies like “Like Mike,” “Roll Bounce,” and “Fast & Furious: Tokyo Drift,” he made the leap from rapper to actor look seamless. Then came his hosting years on BET’s “106 & Park,” where he wasn’t just reading a teleprompter – he was genuinely charismatic, relatable, and having real fun. Making the transition from childhood celebrity to grown performer is the stuff of tabloid cautionary tales, but Bow Wow never imploded; instead, he just kept adding more layers.
The flip side, of course, is that his personal life has been under the microscope pretty much since he hit puberty on TV. Bow Wow’s relationships have always invited headlines and hot takes, mostly because they’ve played out so publicly – and in real time. Fans have watched not just the music and movie roles, but the rocky love stories too.
These days, he seems – at least publicly – much more interested in his career and his daughter than in airing out his love life. After some pretty turbulent relationships (and even more intense public breakups), Bow Wow’s turned pretty protective about what he shares. Who can blame him? Living your love life on the world’s biggest stage can make anyone want to retreat.
But it’s not like his romantic history has faded into the background. Some of his most public relationships read like a who’s who of reality TV and R&B:
– Kiyomi Leslie (2017–2018): Their relationship was reality TV fodder, especially after things turned stormy and spilled over into the news. Fans who watched “Growing Up Hip Hop: Atlanta” probably saw a little too much of their behind-the-scenes drama.
– Erica Mena (2014): Their whirlwind engagement was all over social media, and the rumors and messy split made for tabloid headlines and plenty of memes. Bow Wow later admitted how hard it was to have that breakup dissected by the internet.
– Joie Chavis (2010–2013): Together, they had Bow Wow’s daughter, Shai Moss, back in 2011. Though their romantic relationship didn’t last, credit where it’s due – they’ve managed to co-parent and keep things mostly positive for Shai.
– Ciara (2004–2006): Maybe his most iconic relationship. Their young romance was everywhere, thanks to their undeniable chemistry and their hit collab “Like You.” Years later, you’ll still hear both of them speak with real respect about what they shared (which, if you know how exes can be, is impressive).
Of course, none of this has stopped the rumor mill. Over the years, Bow Wow has been linked – sometimes accurately, sometimes hilariously inaccurately – with an ever-rotating line-up of stars like Angela Simmons and Keyshia Cole. The truth? Most of it never went past the gossip blogs.
But if you’ve been paying attention, you’ll notice his attitude toward relationships has shifted. In a frank interview a few years ago, Bow Wow admitted, “When you’re young, you think love is about the flashy stuff and who looks good beside you. Now I know it’s about finding someone who gets you when the cameras aren’t rolling.” That level of honesty is rare for someone who grew up having to smile for flashbulbs. You can sense he’s earned his privacy the hard way – with a few very public heartbreaks.
Today, Bow Wow’s attention seems firmly fixed on his work and being a dad. His Instagram may still get the fans speculating, but he’s clear about putting his family first. The guy grew up in front of cameras; it makes sense that some things he’d rather keep to himself now.
Past Relationships
Jade Pinkett
Olivia Sky (Model)
Kiyomi Leslie
Keyshia Cole
Erica Mena
Ayisha Diaz
Nastassia Smith
Simply Jess
Joie Chavis
Jhené Aiko
Teairra Mari
Blac Chyna
Kat Stacks
Jenna Shea
Karrine Steffans
Melody Thornton
Lisa Ann
Kim Kardashian
Dollicia Bryan
Angela Simmons
Even so, it’s impossible to talk about Bow Wow without mentioning how much he’s changed, and keeps changing. His romantic life might always be a subject of curiosity, but these days, it’s just one chapter. The rest – his career, his family, and his next act – is entirely his to write.
