Having a conversation about death is never easy for parent do, so fans can only imagine how Angela Simmons is feeling.
The “Growing Up Hip Hop” star revealed this week on the reality show, that she had to explain the death of Sutton Tennyson, the father of her child, to their 3-year-old son Sutton Joseph. Tennyson lost his life to gun violence in November 2018.
On Thursday night’s episode of “GUHH,” Simmons sat down with her life coach, Chenoa Maxwell, and opened up about how baby SJ remembered his father’s “white” car, leading to the conversation about Tennyson’s death.
“I question him, ‘Where do you see him?’ or ‘Who is Daddy? What does he look like?’ I’m asking him. I’m like, ‘Do you want to see your dad?’ and he’s like, ‘Yes,'” Simmons explained to Maxwell on the episode.
She went on to say that she started showing pictures and videos of Tennyson to her toddler, and that’s when baby SJ stopped her and asked, “Is he alive?”
“I was just like, ‘No. He’s not.'” Simmons tearfully said she explained to her son. “This is the first time I’m having to explain it to him, which is, like, super sad, because he’s 3. How do you explain to a 3-year-old that they’re never going to see them again? Other than my own way, which is like, ‘He’s in heaven, he’s with God.'”
The 32-year-old mother said that her son is generally a “happy kid” but “that whole day, he was mopey and sad. It was super hard to have that conversation with him.”
Simmons re-posted the emotional scene on her Instagram page and wrote, “This was tough working through on camera with my life coach @chenoamaxwell ♥️”
Fans instantly showered her with support.
“Stay Strong for your little boy❤️🙏🏿😭 God and your loved ones will give you strength. ❤️ It’s a beautiful thing to be open and vulnerable like this.”
“😢 this is the saddest thing to have to do with your child. We’re praying for y’all”
“You are a wonderful mother and you are strong God bless you and your son. So heartbreaking praying for you & SJ 💔 🙏🏽”
“Girl 🙏🏽only God nothing but the grace of God be with you and your son. Words can’t explain 😭stay prayed little sister we love you 😍”
On Nov. 3, 2018, Tennyson was shot and killed outside of his home in Atlanta. According to the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s autopsy report, he was shot 13 times and sustained gunshots to his chest, arms, legs and stomach.
Following his death, Simmons shared a series of family photos and a heartbreaking post that read, “I’m hurting. I’m numb. Thank you for the out pouring of love everyone. I promise to hold SJ down in every way.”
Simmons and Tennyson called off their engagement in January 2018. They welcomed their son in 2016.
