Popular actress Jackie Matubia has once again spoken candidly about her strained co-parenting journey with actor Blessing Lung’aho, the father of her second-born daughter, Zendaya Nyambura.

In a recent interview with YouTuber Galston Anthony, Matubia recalled how her genuine efforts to involve Lung’aho in their daughter’s life were misunderstood as romantic gestures.

In her words:

“I tried, and I know he would never stand and say that I didn’t. His friends saw it. I used to drive to where he was. The guy thought that I wanted him back."

According to Matubia, her intention was simple; she just wanted Zendaya to have a relationship with her father.

“For me, it was: I want you to have a relationship with your child, and that’s it,” she clarified.

Matubia, however, disclosed that she remains unsure whether, if Blessing ever wanted to reunite with his daughter in the future, she would allow it given their past.

This is not the first time Matubia has shared her struggle with co-parenting post-breakup.

She previously revealed that she had to beg the fellow actor to step up for their daughter after their very public separation.

Her efforts, however, bore little fruit, leaving her to raise Zendaya on her own.

Matubia's heartbreak did not just end with rejection. During the same interview, she admitted that the emotional toll from the breakup sent her into a downward spiral, turning to alcohol to numb the pain.

However, the realisation that her choices were affecting more than just herself pushed her to make a change.

“I was celibate, I stopped drinking. I just focused on my children, myself, and my work,” she said.

The former Salem actress shared how self-blame slowly crept in, saying:

“What all this hurt did for me was that I ended up hating myself. I would enter my house and feel like I should have done better. I should have waited, learned from my first mistake, and given my daughter a father who loves her,” she added, visibly emotional.

Watch the interview below:

Here are some reactions from netizens who watched the video:

"Wenye mnamuambia move on mko na ujinga sana. You try moving on alafu unaona katoto kanafanana babake daily you’ll obviously get triggered alaa."

"I'm waiting for those humans wenye wanapenda kuambiwa watu wa move on !!smh let people Express themselves as much as they like as long as it takes alaa!!Jackie mamaa you got this."

"Girl, he moved on a long time ago."

"May she find peace, joy and a loving man."

"She has suffered."

"I could never hate my child."

"Deadbeat dad chronicles."

At the start of the year, Matubia opened up about her goals for the year ahead, revealing that finding love again was high on her list.

She described the kind of love she hopes for; one that feels genuine, safe, and unwavering.

She also warned critics against targeting her kids and urged them to square up with her instead.

Source: TUKO.co.ke