Sonya Curry Sheds Tears as Shaquille O’Neal’s Mom Recounts Meeting Grammy Awardee’s Mother Before Tragic Death

Raising Fame will take you through a roller coaster of emotions. This new show hosted by Lucile O’Neal and Sonya Curry will be released on July 7, featuring parents of various celebrities across America, where they share unearthed stories of the hardship behind raising their kids. Love, laughter, and tears is what the show is all about. However, for Lucile and Sonya, the emotions did not stop with the interviews. Especially after the passing of American actor and singer Billy Porter’s mother, who sat for an interview with the two before her unfortunate death.  

Raising Fame has been a spiritual experience for the mothers of Stephen Curry and Shaquille O’Neal. It’s not a reality show for the two, but rather just the reality and the truth the fans have not heard before. On the journey, Lucile and Sonya interviewed about the life of Magic Johnson, John Legend, Usher, Chance The Rapper, Kevin Durant, Chadwick Boseman, and more through their parents. One of them was Billy Porter too. 

Though all of them touched her heart, the one with Cloerinda Porter, the mother of the 2014 Grammy winner, was a special one for Lucile O’Neal. Mrs. Porter was in a nursing home when she was interviewed and Lucile reveals she might not have been in her best condition either. But her still being all in for the interview was heartwarming for the two. 

“I was drawn towards her. I’m missing my mother, my mother is not here, but she [Porter’s mother] was so loving and took time with us and it just really really blessed me,” said Lucile as Sonya wiped the tears from her eyes. It was an emotional interview for the two because soon after that, Cloerinda Porter passed away. 

How did Billy Porter’s mother pass away? 

On February 29, 2024, Billy Porter shared the heartbreaking news of his mother’s death. He wrote on Instagram, “We were right beside her when she took her last breath, wrapped in our arms. Mommy lived life to the fullest despite physical limitations pressed upon her.” Porter had spoken about his mom’s disability in an interview from 2017. 

“She was born with a degenerative disability that has only progressed and worsened to the point where she’s now in the actors’ fundraising home in New Jersey and slowly every day loses more and more mobility,” revealed Porter seven years ago. 

Her last interview was for Raising Fame, which makes it a very personal and emotional one for both Lucile and Sonya. This is exactly why the two call it a spiritual roller coaster. So Raising Fame is sure to be an experience and not just a show. Don’t forget to tune in. 

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video: