Truly support
independent journalism
Our mission is to provide unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds the powerful to account and exposes the truth.
Whether it's $5 or $50, every contribution counts.
Support us in offering journalism without agenda.
John Cena has candidly revealed how he broached the subject of children with his wife Shay Shariatzadeh.
Cena recently spoke aboutShay Shay Club about how he approached his second wife, Shay Shariatzadeh, and told her he didn’t want children early in their relationship. “I started off with some awkward conversations,” he said in the podcast episode, which premiered Monday, August 26.
“Those were questions from the first or second date with my now wife,” the pro wrestler said, adding, “It’s great because we were both able to face these awkward moments, address these things and build a foundation.”
Because they addressed such deep issues from an early point in the relationship, she explained that “nothing is off the table” between the two, and that they are now able to discuss anything.
“Nothing is too uncomfortable to be addressed,” Cena said. “Starting with a conversation about… what the definition of our family is… helped us forge a path together as a team.”
In terms of not wanting to have children, Cena told host Shannon Sharpe that he simply didn't have the time to devote to raising them.
“I don’t think I’m personally ready, nor will I ever be ready, to put in the time it takes to be a great father. I want to live life,” he explained. “I still have a lot of work to do.”
This isn't the first time Cena has talked about having kids. He previously revealed it in 2022 on an episode of The Drew Barrymore Show that he doesn't have time to pursue his current relationships while also being a father, despite Barrymore telling him he would be a good dad.
“You have to have a passion for it. You have to have fuel for it,” he told her at the time. “It’s like telling someone, ‘Man, you know you’re pretty good with your hands, you’d make a great carpenter,’ but if I want to be an actor, I’m going to be an actor.’”
“It’s hard work balancing the time I need to run properly,” he added. “It’s hard work being the best partner and husband I can be to my beloved wife. It’s hard to maintain connections with the people I love in my life. And it’s also hard to work honestly every day.”
Although she doesn't plan on having children of her own, she told Barrymore how much she loves being involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which helps children with terminal cancer achieve a specific goal.
“I love that joy and that connection, and that’s where I am right now,” she told the talk show host. “It’s a tough place to navigate because everyone’s like, ‘Well, when?’” she said of people constantly asking her about starting a family. “Right now I don’t know.”
Cena and Shariatzadeh tied the knot in October 2020 after dating for over a year. Prior to their relationship, Cena was engaged to Nikki Bella, though the two ended their relationship in 2018 after dating for seven years.
“While this decision was difficult, we continue to have great love and respect for each other,” the couple said on Instagram at the time to announce their split. “We ask that you respect our privacy during this time in our lives.”
Bella has since moved on because she got married. Dancing with the stars by Artem Chigvintsev and they share a son named Matteo.
