20 January 2024 , 17:42
1123
0
Ashley Cain has admitted that he has endured a 'turbulent time' since the birth of his son Aliyas after he shared the full meaning behind his newborn son's name.
Along with his ex-girlfriend Safiyya Azaylia, former Ex on the Beach star Ashley welcomed Azaylia into the world in August 2020. However, the pair learned she was suffering from leukemia when she was just eight-weeks old before she sadly passed away in April 2021. After Ashley announced his newborn son's name this week, fans expressed anger about the fact it was so similar to his late daughter's name.
After establishing the The Azaylia Foundation in their little girl's memory, Ashley and 36-year old Safiyya went their separate ways. Less than a year later, meanwhile, Ashley hooked up with an unnamed childhood friend, who gave birth to their son, Aliyas, earlier this week.
Ashley welcomed his son earlier this week (mrashleycain/Instagram)
Safiyya and Ashley welcomed Azaylia into the world in August 2020 (Ashley Cain/Instagram)Hailing Aliyas' arrival, doting dad Ashley wrote on Instagram: "Aliyas Diamond Cain - 16.01.24, 4:32am, 9lbs 3oz. I will love you, appreciate you, guide you and protect you with all of my heart, for the rest of my life. & you will have the most beautiful guardian angel heaven holds watching over you and protecting you too. Welcome to the world my son. May your body be strong, your mind be wise, your heart be loving and your spirit be pure and truly powerful."
After announcing his newborn son's name, dozens of Ashley's 1.9 million followers pointed out the similarity between Azaylia and Aliyas' names, with some becoming angry about the likeness. One person said: "So hurtful & disrespectful. Same initials and same middle name." Another person echoed: "There is still time to change his name to something respectable and not to stamp on a grieving mother’s heart." Other comments included: "So hard not to jump on the train name reaction but absolutely horrified at the name" and, "Naming your son with another woman nearly the same as you’re angel daughters is a bit low."
Taylor Swift seen looking cosy with Matty Healy's mum Denise Welch months ago
In response, Ashley explained that a "family tradition" was behind the likeness, rather than the latter's name being a tribute to his late sibling. "What the letter 'A' holds is a family tradition, being the first letter of my father's and all of my uncles first names," Ashley said. He continued: "The name 'Diamond' is from my grandma and their mother. It's our family name along with Cain, it's our Vincentian roots, all the way from our small island and from our great people."
After receiving the unexpected criticism, Ashley took to his Instagram Stories on Saturday to thank the fans who for supported him and said his son's birth had been "worth all the sticks, stones and storms".
"A heartfelt thank you to you all for the love, support and kind messages I've received over the last few days. It has been a turbulent time as you can imagine. But one that has been worth all of the sticks, the stones and the storms that have come with it. I am a proud and loving father to both of my children and nothing will ever change that. So all that matters to me now is honouring my daughter in heaven and nurturing my son on earth. No matter what, MY KIDS COME FIRST. It's that simple," he wrote.