Doja Cat’s unconventional life, marked by an absent father and complex family dynamics, recently spilled into the public eye. Though the star usually guards her privacy, a dramatic turn in early 2024 brought her closest relative into an unwelcome spotlight.
Here is the latest information regarding the immediate family of the “Paint the Town Red” artist, with a focus on her tumultuous relationship with her brother.
Doja Cat’s Only Known Sibling: Raman Dalithando Dlamini
While much of the information surrounding Doja Cat’s immediate family remains private, public records confirm she grew up alongside one sibling: her older brother, Raman Dalithando Dlamini. Both Raman and Amala were raised by their mother, Deborah Elizabeth Sawyer, moving between New York and California.
Raman has largely maintained a private life, purposefully keeping a low profile on social media. Unlike many celebrity family members, he has no known public career or widespread presence in the media. However, in early 2024, the fragile state of the siblings’ relationship became alarmingly clear.
The 2024 Restraining Order and Allegations of Abuse
In a shocking development reported in January 2024, Doja Cat’s mother, Deborah Sawyer, filed a request for a temporary restraining order against her son, Raman Dalithando Dlamini. The petition detailed distressing allegations of abuse that affected both herself and the Grammy-winning singer.
The court documents alleged a pattern of abusive behavior from Raman toward his family members. According to the petition, Ms. Sawyer claimed the superstar had experienced serious physical harm at the hands of her older brother.
Disturbing Injuries Alleged: The request specifically mentioned that Doja Cat had allegedly suffered “physical harm such as bruises and lacerations.” Even more severely, the court documents claimed that Raman had knocked out her teeth during an incident.
The Emotional Toll: Beyond the physical harm, the petition stated that Raman had made Doja Cat feel “unsafe and traumatized” and had subjected her to “verbally assault[ing]” her in a degrading manner.
Wider Pattern of Abuse: The allegations extended to their mother, Deborah Sawyer, who claimed to have endured abuse from Raman multiple times recently and in the past, including an incident where he allegedly choked and hit her. This was not the first legal issue; court records show Ms. Sawyer was also granted a restraining order against him back in 2017.
A judge partially granted the temporary restraining order against Raman Dlamini on behalf of the mother. However, the judge ruled that there was “insufficient good cause shown” to include Doja Cat in the order, meaning the singer would need to file her own separate petition if she wished to be protected by the court.
A Difficult Childhood Dynamic
Though Doja Cat has remained publicly silent on the 2024 allegations concerning her brother, she has alluded to a complicated home life in past interviews. She revealed to Rolling Stone that Raman had behavioral issues growing up, and his presence often consumed a significant emotional space in the household.
The siblings’ childhood, spent in an ashram and then Oak Park, was difficult. Doja Cat faced isolation and claims her brother mocked her for being one of the few mixed-race children. These early tensions, coupled with later allegations of violence, highlight a deeply strained sibling relationship.
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CONCLUSION
Doja Cat’s dazzling public persona sharply contrasts with the difficult reality of her family life. The revelations from the 2024 restraining order request against her brother, Raman Dlamini, underscore a deeply troubled history marked by alleged abuse and strained sibling ties. Despite growing up with an absent father and facing domestic challenges, the star’s career serves as a powerful testament to her resilience.
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