Few artists in modern pop have sparked as much intrigue as Doja Cat. Known for her genre-blending hits, eccentric personality, and internet-savvy humor, she continues to evolve creatively — and personally — with each release. But behind the viral moments and chart-topping singles lies a life story full of unexpected twists. Here are seven surprising facts about Doja Cat that even her most devoted fans may not know.
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1. Her father is a South African film star.
Doja Cat’s father, Dumisani Dlamini, is an actor, composer, and producer from South Africa. He’s best known for his role in the 1992 musical drama Sarafina! alongside Whoopi Goldberg — a film that became a cultural touchstone in South African cinema.
2. She has Jewish roots through her mother.
Doja’s mother, Deborah Sawyer, is an American graphic designer of Ashkenazi Jewish descent. The artist has spoken about being raised in a multicultural home, blending her mother’s Jewish background with her father’s South African heritage.
3. She made a cameo in the hit TV series Empire.
Before her breakout success, Doja Cat’s early song “So High” was featured in Empire’s first season, third episode. The track, from her debut EP Purrr! (2014), played during one of the show’s key scenes.
4. She almost collaborated with Billie Eilish.
Doja revealed that she and Billie Eilish nearly worked together early in their careers. The two discussed a possible feature on Billie’s breakout track “Bellyache,” but the collaboration never came to fruition.
5. She’s an avid gamer and Twitch streamer.
Doja Cat is a dedicated gamer who streams regularly on Twitch, often playing Among Us and Fortnite. She’s joined several celebrity gaming sessions, blending her offbeat humor with genuine skill.
6. She was once babysat by a reality TV star.
In a wild twist, Doja revealed that she was babysat as a child by Alexis Neiers Haines, who later starred in Pretty Wild, the reality series inspired by the infamous “Bling Ring” jewelry heists.
7. Her song “Vegas” was disqualified from Oscar consideration.
Despite its huge success, Doja’s 2022 track “Vegas” from the Elvis soundtrack was ineligible for Academy Award consideration. The reason? It interpolates Elvis Presley’s classic “Hound Dog,” which disqualified it from contention under Academy rules.
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