When most people talk about co-parenting with an ex, they're usually referring to some kind of joint-custody arrangement of the kids they already share together. But for Wayne Brady, who's been divorced from his ex-wife Mandy Taketa for the past 13 years, that's not exactly how their new situation works. According to Brady, 49, he will be helping to co-parent Taketa's new baby, Sunny, whom she recently adopted with her current boyfriend, Jason Fordham — and so far, the arrangement sounds pretty incredible.
Taketa and Fordham welcomed their new baby boy last month
The couple announced the happy news in an Instagram post on September 19, which took Taketa's followers by surprise.
"We’ve expanded our blended family!" she wrote in her post caption. "Welcome birth mom, Ana & Sundance-Isamu."
The 49-year-old mom also took a moment to explain how little "Sunny" came into their lives in the first place.
"Our journey started on March 22nd, 2021," she wrote. "Ana invited us into her heart & asked us to parent Sunny. We encourage anyone in the process of adoption that you seek the stories of birth mothers and adoptees. Listen to them. Put them first. It’s imperative to understand this is a traumatic experience for them & it’s a privilege to be a part of THEIR lives."
It was also then that Taketa first hinted at the role Brady might be playing in her son's life.
"Ana, thank you for making me a mommy again along with you," she continued. "Thank you for blessing Jason with the gift of fatherhood, making Maile a big sister, & Wayne a godfather. He’s going to spoil Sunny like crazy!"
Just one day later, Brady announced Sunny's arrival in a post of his own
"Hey y’all, meet Sunny!" Brady wrote in his caption. "I love this little man already. They say it takes a village to raise a child and they’re right! The village of @mandietaketa, myself, and @jasonmichaelfordham raised @theofficialmailebrady. All children will know is love if that’s what you show them. I’m honored to be in his life as his 'Duncle' and I love Mandie and Jason for including me in their journey."
If this all sounds pretty progressive, that's because it is
But apparently, Brady and Taketa have shared a pretty friendly post-divorce life ever since they first split.
According to reports, the couple first tied the knot back in 1999, and welcomed their daughter Maile, who is now 18, in 2004. They ultimately separated in 2006 and finalized their divorce a few years later, but have remained close friends and committed co-parents ever since.
"My ex-wife Mandie and I, we have a different and a very special situation than a lot of people that co-parent," Brady told Access Hollywood last year. "For the entire duration of [Malie’s] life, we have co-parented as best friends."
As time went on, Brady became pretty close with Taketa's new boyfriend, too
Fordham has been in the picture for more than a decade now, and has helped raise Maile right alongside her parents. (Taketa has even referred to their blended family as "The Core Four" in her Instagram posts.)
So in 2020, when the world went into lockdown, and millions of families stayed home to quarantine, Brady thought nothing of it when he quarantined under one roof with Taketa, Fordham, and Maile.
Little did he know that admission would make headlines everywhere.
"It was weird that it was considered unusual," Brady told Page Six earlier this year. "That’s just our family. And we aren’t like that because we put our daughter first. We are like that because Mandie, my ex, is also my best friend and she’s my production partner. We have a company together, we work together, we love each other, we are a family."
And now, this modern family is about to get even more fun
Wayne has already staged at least one adorable photo shoot with Sunny (who is also his new godson), and clearly can't wait for what the future will bring.
"He's gonna call me Duncle (Daddy/Uncle) because I plan on being around and doing all that stuff," Brady reportedly shared in an Instagram video.
Ever since, fans have responded with an outpouring of love.
“Gorgeous baby boy!” wrote one fan on Instagram. “Congratulations to all of you!! He’s very fortunate to have so much love in his life.”
“Y’all are the gold standard for blended families,” added another. “Thanks for showing us how to do it with grace and love.”
