Creativity runs deep in Doja Cat’s family. The innovative musician, known for her genre-bending sounds and captivating visuals, comes from a lineage of artists. Her parents, Deborah Elizabeth Sawyer and Dumisani Dlamini, both carved paths in the artistic world, shaping the environment that fostered Doja Cat’s unique talents. While Doja Cat is the stage name that has propelled her to global stardom, her birth name is Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini, a name that carries a rich heritage and personal history. This article delves into the background of Doja Cat, exploring her parents’ artistic careers and how they influenced the rise of the artist known as Doja Cat, or more formally, Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini.
The Artistic Roots: Deborah Elizabeth Sawyer and Dumisani Dlamini
Doja Cat’s mother, Deborah Elizabeth Sawyer, is a creative force in her own right. A painter and clothing designer, Sawyer instilled a love for visual arts in her daughter from a young age. Her father, Dumisani Dlamini, is a celebrated South African actor and dancer, best known for his role in the iconic 1992 film Sarafina!, where he shared the screen with Whoopi Goldberg. Dlamini’s performance in Sarafina! brought him international recognition, highlighting his talents on a global stage.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999×0:0:2001×2000)/doja-cat-dad-dumisani-dlamini-2-68d43ba0d32e468f97e607c12f680f00.jpg)
Their paths crossed in New York in the early 1990s when Dlamini was performing in Sarafina! on Broadway. While their relationship was brief, it resulted in two children: Doja Cat, born Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini, and her older brother, Raman Dalithando Dlamini. Amala and Raman were raised by their mother in New York and California, immersed in an environment that valued and nurtured artistic expression.
A Childhood Immersed in Creativity
Growing up with Deborah Elizabeth Sawyer meant being surrounded by art and encouraged to explore creative pursuits. Doja Cat, or Amala, as she was known then, was enrolled in performing arts schools and took ballet classes, fostering her early exposure to dance and performance. Her mother’s artistic inclinations extended beyond painting and design; Sawyer was also a passionate music lover, particularly of hip-hop, influencing young Amala’s musical tastes.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749×0:0:1501×2000)/doja-cat-3-5b979deacc6d4e77959f40653ee1736c.jpg)
“My mom is, like, a hippie from the ’60s, super, like, chill with most things,” Doja Cat shared in a 2021 interview with Billboard. She highlighted her mother’s supportive nature, especially regarding her burgeoning musical interests. Sawyer actively engaged with her daughter’s music, eager to hear and support her creative endeavors. This encouragement was pivotal in shaping Amala’s confidence and drive to pursue music professionally as Doja Cat.
According to VladTV, Doja Cat mentioned her mother’s artistic career, stating, “She paints. She used to paint more, but she’s now designing men’s clothing. She’s more on like, the computer designing stuff, on like Photoshop and stuff.” This demonstrates the continuous evolution of Sawyer’s artistic journey and her adaptation to modern design tools, further showcasing her creative versatility.
Doja Cat also revealed the broad musical spectrum her mother exposed her to, including artists like Erykah Badu, Fugees, Jamiroquai, Seal, and jazz legends like Earth, Wind & Fire, Alice and John Coltrane. This diverse musical palette significantly influenced Doja Cat’s eclectic musical style, which blends pop, R&B, hip-hop, and other genres.
Distant Relationship with Father Dumisani Dlamini
Despite sharing artistic genes with her father, Dumisani Dlamini, Doja Cat, or Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini, grew up without a close relationship with him. Dlamini resided in South Africa while Amala and her mother lived in the United States. While they have had minimal contact through social media, a personal, face-to-face relationship has not been established.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999×0:0:2001×2000)/doja-cat-dumisani-dlamini-4-3f549296fcdf40c69b6b95a436ef083d.jpg)
In a 2021 interview with Rolling Stone, Doja Cat reflected on the emotional impact of her father’s absence, stating, “It’s a little strange to see everybody else with their dad, and you didn’t even really have one.” This sentiment was echoed by a childhood friend, Gabrielle Hames, who recounted young Amala’s anticipation and subsequent disappointment when her father did not come as expected.
However, Dumisani Dlamini has publicly expressed his pride in Doja Cat’s accomplishments. In a 2023 interview with GQ South Africa, he acknowledged her success, saying, “I’m so proud of her for what she has achieved. I’m not surprised, because it’s in the blood.” He has also shown support on social media, praising her achievements and referring to her as “AFRICAN PRINCESS,” indicating a paternal pride from afar.
From Ashram to Stardom: The Unconventional Path of Amala Dlamini
Adding another layer to Doja Cat’s unique upbringing as Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini, was a period spent at the Sai Anantam Ashram in Santa Monica, California, when she was eight years old. This commune was led by the legendary jazz musician Alice Coltrane. While Doja Cat described the experience as “very restraining” in an interview with Rolling Stone, she acknowledged the profound influence of being around Alice Coltrane at a young age. She told Billboard that it was “incredible” to be in that environment and be captivated by Coltrane’s singing.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999×0:0:2001×2000)/doja-cat-dad-dumisani-dlamini-4-cbd75c4d51ff468fa0a4454b71ed5021.jpg)
Dumisani Dlamini’s established career in acting further solidifies the artistic heritage of Doja Cat, born Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini. With over 30 years in the entertainment industry, Dlamini has earned accolades and recognition in South Africa. He considers his role as Celemba in eHostela as a career highlight, which earned him his first SAFTA nomination. Doja Cat herself has lauded her father’s dancing abilities after watching a video of him in Sarafina!, expressing surprise and admiration for his talent.
Connecting with Whoopi Goldberg: A Sarafina! Bond
A notable anecdote that bridges Doja Cat’s world to her father’s past is her meeting with Whoopi Goldberg. During a backstage encounter at Late Night with Seth Meyers, Doja Cat, referring to her father’s role in Sarafina!, connected with Goldberg. Upon learning Dumisani Dlamini was her father, Goldberg exclaimed, “Get outta here!” and described him as a “really good man.” This heartwarming exchange highlighted an unexpected connection to her father through his work and his co-star.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749×0:0:1501×2000)/doja-cat-ba9aca0b8395406abc3a7f35b547f1ba.jpg)
Recent Family Matters
In recent news, Doja Cat’s family faced internal challenges. In January 2024, Deborah Elizabeth Sawyer filed a temporary restraining order against her son, Raman Dalithando Dlamini, Doja Cat’s brother. The court documents revealed allegations of abuse against both Sawyer and Doja Cat, creating further complexity within the family dynamic.
Conclusion
Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini, globally recognized as Doja Cat, is an artist shaped by a rich and multifaceted background. Born into a family deeply connected to the arts, with a painter and designer mother and an actor and dancer father, her path was paved with creative influences from the outset. While her relationship with her father has been distant, and recent family issues have surfaced, Doja Cat’s artistic journey remains uniquely her own, driven by her innate talent and the creative foundations laid by her parents. Understanding her real name, Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini, offers a deeper appreciation for the personal and cultural heritage that underpins the persona of Doja Cat, the groundbreaking artist who continues to redefine pop culture.
