“Thanks For My Child songstress and actress, Cheryl Pepsii Riley
Cheryl Pepsii Riley. Most of us old schoolers remember that name, right? If not, “Thanks For My Child” is all that needs to be said to remind us of how her ’80s classic dug deep into our heartstrings and became an anthem for women everywhere back in the day. But beyond her successful music career, Cheryl’s personal journey to motherhood is a testament to resilience, love, and the beauty that can emerge from heartbreak.
In life, we often encounter unexpected circumstances that shape our paths. For Cheryl, this took the form of becoming an adoptive mother to not one, but five children. The road to motherhood was not a straightforward one for Cheryl, as she faced numerous challenges and heartbreak along the way. But through it all, her journey with the beautiful babies she’s adopted has been one she wouldn’t trade for the world.
Cheryl’s Introduction To Motherhood Was Sparked By Tragedy
Cheryl Pepsii Riley
In her episode of “Unsung,” Cheryl Pepsii Riley recalled what was happening in her life prior to initially becoming an instant mother of four, at once. She’d just released her Full Force produced/written album, which featured the hit, “Thanks For My Child.” As the success of that single skyrocketed, her Full Force brothas-in-music finally convinced her to quit her job as a nurse for special needs children, in order to meet the demands of her poppin’ career at that time. She agreed, and they all went on tour soon after.
While her dreams were finally coming true, a nightmare was brewing back home. Her brother, Roy, had been diagnosed with bone cancer and was in the process of transitioning. One of his final requests, according to their mother, was that they take care of four of his young children and who were only 9 months, 1, 2, and 3 years old at the time. Cheryl stepped up to assume her newfound motherhood role without a smidgen of doubt.
Throwback photo of Cheryl Pepsii Riley (center) with her mother, her then-husband, David, and 4 of her brother, Roy’s, children, whom she raised.
As a result, she decided to push harder for her now-four babies, by further nurturing her music career. But there were some hurdles…
Full Force Helped Cheryl Devise Plan To Get Out Of Mariah Carey’s Shadow
Soon after Cheryl became an instant mother of four to her nieces and nephews, she says her then-record label, Columbia Records, started giving her the run-around, regarding the release of her second album.
Throwback: Cheryl Pepsii Riley (in white shirt) with Full Force, Lisa Lisa, Kid ‘N Play, Michael Jordan, and UTFO’s D.O.C.
According to Cheryl and Full Force, Columbia put her album on the back burner for three years, in order to focus primarily on then-new artist, Mariah Carey.
After Columbia Records finally released Cheryl Pepsii Riley’s album, it didn’t do as great as planned, nor did it have as much label push as Cheryl would have liked. So she and Full Forced confessed to devising a plan to get Cheryl off of Columbia Records, by creating a bunch of songs they knew the label’s A&R wouldn’t like. The tricked worked, and Columbia ultimately released her from her contract.
However, the success of Cheryl’s third album, under Arista Records, didn’t perform as well as could be either. So with four little mouths to feed, Cheryl made new plans.
Doing Whatever It Took For Her Babies
Cheryl (2nd from left) with her 3 daughters, Sharetta, Tabitha, and Andrea – the nieces she raised as her own
Realizing that she needed to keep the bills paid as her mother helped her raise the four children with her, Cheryl put her ego to the side and became a very sought-after background singer for Mary J Blige, Missy Elliott, and Jessica Simpson at that time.
She became even more determined when she followed her other passion of acting. She eventually linked up with media mogul, Tyler Perry, and starred in many of his stage plays, to the audiences delight.
She Then Became Mother Of Five
Throwback photo of Cheryl with the 5th child she raised, her 2nd husband, Mike Grace’s, son, John Grace
Eventually, Cheryl married for a second time (her first was to her prior Stargaze bandmate, David Jones) in 2003, to musician, Mike Grace, who was a single dad to his young son, John Grace. Cheryl instantly fell in love with the young kid and raised him as her son, as well as up to this day.
Jamel, Daniel, and John; Although Cheryl raised two of these young men, she refers to al of them as her sons. John, pictured far left is her 2nd husband’s child; Jamel and Daniel are her brother’s children.
Even though she and Mike divorced in 2009, they happily co-parented John, who is forever grateful to his mom, Cheryl.
More Tragedy Struck
Cheryl Pepsii Riley with her diva daughter, Andrea, who sadly passed away in 2019
Sadly, Cheryl Pepsii Riley lost one of her daughters, Andrea (biologically her niece), to cancer in 2019. Cheryl shares photos and memories of Andrea often on social media…
Moral of the story is, biology is not always required for one to be a mother/father to the children they would give their last breathe for. All it takes is unconditional love, devotion, and an unwavering urge to always guide that child whenever they may need it.
Cheryl’s story of becoming an adoptive mother resonates with many, as it shines a light on the countless families who are built through non-traditional means. It challenges societal norms and reminds us that love knows no boundaries, and that everyone deserves a loving and supportive home. Her story is not just about her personal triumph, but a celebration of the strength and resilience of all adoptive families. Much respect to Cheryl Pepsii Riley for being the glue that helps to hold her family together.
