Draya Michele is a well-known media personality, model, actress, and fashion designer who rose to fame as a cast member of the VH1 series Basketball Wives LA. She has also appeared in several movies and TV shows, such as The Perfect Match, True to the Game, and L.A.’s Finest.
She is the owner of three clothing lines: Mint Swim, Fine Ass Girls, and Beige and Coco. But how much do you know about her family background and personal life? In this article, we will introduce you to Draya Michele’s parents, mother Valeria Diaz and father, who passed away in May 2021.
Mother: Valeria Diaz
Draya Michele’s mother is Valeria Diaz, who is of Italian descent. She was born and raised in Reading, Pennsylvania, where she met her father, an African-American man. Valeria and Draya’s father had a tumultuous relationship and separated when she was young. Valeria raised her as a single mother and worked as a nurse to support her daughter. Valeria and her daughter have a close bond and often share their love and appreciation for each other on social media.
Valeria is also a proud grandmother of Draya’s two sons, Kniko and Jru. She has a son, Kniko, from a previous relationship when she was a teenager. She also has a son, Jru, with her ex-fiancé, NFL star Orlando Scandrick. Valeria loves spending time with her grandchildren and spoiling them with gifts and affection.
Valeria is also a fitness enthusiast and a weight loss inspiration. She has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, shedding over 100 pounds and achieving a toned and healthy physique. Draya has supported her mother’s journey and even gifted her a specialized facelift with plastic surgeon Dr. Ashkan Ghavami in 2014. Valeria is grateful for her daughter’s generosity and admires her success and achievements.
Who Are Draya Michele’s Parents?
| Name | Draya Michele |
|---|---|
| Full name | Andraya Michele Howard |
| Date of birth | January 23, 1985 |
| Place of birth | Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Ethnicity | African-American and Italian |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion | Unknown |
| Parents | Mother- Valeria Diaz Father- Name Not Known |
| Occupation | Media personality, model, actress, fashion designer |
| Years active | 2011–present |
| Known for | Basketball Wives LA, Mint Swim, Fine Ass Girls, Beige & Coco |
| Children | 2 (Kniko and Jru) |
Father: A Mysterious Figure
Draya Michele’s father is a mysterious figure who has not been publicly identified or named by Draya or her mother. He is of African-American ethnicity and was born and raised in Reading, Pennsylvania. He had a rocky relationship with Valeria and was not very involved in her life. She has rarely spoken about her father or shared any photos of him on social media. She has hinted that he was abusive and unfaithful to her mother and that he struggled with drug addiction and legal issues.
Her father passed away in May 2021, as confirmed by Draya on her Instagram story. She posted a photo of a funeral program with the caption “RIP Dad” and a broken heart emoji. She did not reveal the cause of his death or any other details about his funeral. She also did not express any grief or sadness over his passing, which suggests that they did not have a close or positive relationship. Her fans and followers offered their condolences and prayers for her and her family.
| Name | Ethnicity | Occupation | Relationship with Draya | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valeria Diaz | Italian | Nurse | Mother | Alive |
| Unnamed | African-American | Unknown | Father | Deceased |
Source
Instagram- @drayamichele
Homepage- Newsinbollywood
Wikipedia- @Draya_Michele
Draya Michele’s parents are Valeria Diaz and an unnamed African-American man. They met and had Draya in Reading, Pennsylvania, but they split up when she was young. Valeria raised her as a single mother and worked as a nurse. Valeria is of Italian descent and is a fitness enthusiast and a weight loss inspiration. She is also a loving grandmother of her two sons, Kniko and Jru. Her father was not very present in her life and had a troubled history of abuse, infidelity, drugs, and crime. He died in May 2021, and Draya did not show much emotion over his death.
