Da Brat and her wife, Jesseca “Judy” Harris-Dupart, have insisted the reason they didn’t go with a black sperm donor was because there weren’t enough options.
The couple have faced a barrage of criticism from trolls who believe they chose a non-black donor based on racial preferences.
However, Jesseca, 41, whose egg was used, and Da Brat, 48, who is carrying the baby, have repeatedly made it clear that a shortage of black donors prompted their decision.
On a recent episode of their reality show Brat Loves Judy, the couple were seen meeting with their fertility doctor and weighing their choices.
Taking into account the results of Jesseca’s genetic test, the couple only had 224 donors whose samples they could use – only one of whom was black.
Baby on board: Da Brat and her wife Jesseca “Judy” Harris-Dupart have insisted the reason they didn’t go for a black sperm donor was because there weren’t enough options
Your fertility specialist Dr. Obehi Asemota informed them that “there are not enough black donors – black sperm donors, black egg donors”.
Da Brat, whose real name is Shawntae Harris-Dupart, then joked that the only black donor available to them looked “like Jiminy Cricket.”
She echoed the Jiminy Cricket comparison in an interview with The Root, saying with a laugh: “I was like, ‘I’m sorry, but that wasn’t my choice.’
While discussing the donor used, she said: “Because we didn’t have a lot of choices, it definitely wasn’t black. But I think we did a great job picking. He’s handsome, he’s tall and I think he’ll look gorgeous with my wife’s egg.”
Social media users quickly resented the Jiminy Cricket trip and began theorizing that the pair simply preferred not to use a black donor.
A disgruntled Jesseca responded to the commotion on her Instagram this week, writing: “So as a mother of 3 beautiful black children and even a black grandchild I want to CLEAR S*** to avoid continuing this STORYLINE we choose our donor looks different and that we didn’t want a black donor.
She provided a seven-point explanation for her and Da Brat’s choice, which began: “1) WE HAD NO IDEA THAT our chances of getting a black donor would be little to zero, 2) that I was a carrier of so many diseases, 3 ) that our window was SOOOO thin and such a high risk due to age and more.
Jesseca added: “4) With my genetic testing I am a carrier of 4 conditions that reduced our chances of a Black donor to 1 person and that 1 person had very limited information/portfolio to judge on…including BACKGROUND . .
Expectant mother: Jesseca, 41, used egg, already has three children and one grandchild, while Da Brat, 48, who is carrying the baby, is a first-time mother
So in love: Da Brat and Jesseca, pictured in August 2021, walked down the aisle in February 2022 and happily announced a year later that they are expecting their first child together
She remarked, “5) I’m frankly disappointed with the storyline more than anything, but understand the lack of knowledge about IVF in our community because a lot of people don’t even realize all things when it comes to the journey, including LACK OF BLACK DONORS, genetic testing, age at which most eggs disappeared, etc.
Jesseca conceded, “6) The headlines are misleading, but my wife also made a sickening joke and now it’s hanging on the headline and making it seem like we’re making decisions strictly based on looks and haven’t tried at all finding a black donor. In fact, not only did we try, we waited to see if more would emerge over time – but we had to stay within the time window we had to choose.’
She pointed out: “Also, just because they have money, people think ANYTHING is possible, but no amount of money has changed.
Jesseca continued, “7) Our baby was created with a HEALTHY baby first mindset, after learning all the things was a tough decision and of course we didn’t want to add any other stigma or anything to our child but we had it HEAVY limited options.’
She concluded by offering, “Thank you to all the people who are supporting us on our journey and I really hope this inspires more black men to donate.”
Da Brat and Jesseca walked down the aisle last February and then happily announced a year later that the former is pregnant with their first child together.
“I never thought I would have kids,” Da Brat confessed to People magazine. “I just thought it wasn’t in the cards for me. I’ve had a great career, a fulfilling life. I felt like because I didn’t get pregnant before then it just wasn’t going to happen for me.
However, her relationship with Jesseca caused her to “look at life so differently.” I thought I want a little me with you. Something special of both of us to share, nurture and love unconditionally.’