Is Paige Hurd’s father DMX? What we know about the parents amid Phoenix Suns’ Royce O’Neale engagement

Paige Hurd and Royce O’Neale are engaged now. The couple recently confirmed the news to People.

The 32-year-old actress is the goddaughter of the late rapper Earl “DMX” Simmons. Hurd and DMX met for the first time during the filming of Cradle 2 the Grave. The child star played the rapper's daughter in the film. After their collaboration, the Romeo Must Die actor and his former wife, Tashera Simmons, became godparents to the Power Book II: Ghost star.

According to The Netline, Paige Hurd is a Dallas-born daughter of an African American father and a Puerto Rican mother. Her mother, Cheryl Martin, is the founder and CEO of CMA Entertainment, a talent agency. Hurd didn’t have a biological relation with DMX, but they shared a great rapport.

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Paige Hurd penned down a special tribute to DMX after his passing in 2021

The actor-rapper died in April 2021, leaving many shocked. After his unexpected death, Hurd wrote her final message for her godfather while sharing their last picture. The Everybody Hates Chris actress captioned her post,

“7 days prior...This is was the last time we hugged, we danced, we held hands. the last time we said I love you. the last time I would ever hear you scream PUMPKINNN. when we are together we are inseparable, & we DO NOT play about each-other.”

She further added,

“I just can’t believe this was our goodbye // Shock has been my feeling the past month since I got the worst call in the middle of the night.”

Briefly talking about her shock and grief, Paige Hurd concluded,

“I love you so much. I’m so proud to be your god daughter. // You are apart of my world and my heart aches terribly these days and will never stop. // Love, Pumpkin.”

DMX, 50 at the time of his passing, fathered 15 children from nine relationships. His oldest kid, Xavier Simmons, was born in 1992 to his first wife, Tashera Simmons. The rapper welcomed his youngest kids, twins, in December 2019. DMX was engaged to his longtime partner, Desiree Lindstrom, with whom he shared his son, Exodus.

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Paige Hurd and Royce O’Neale engaged in February 2025

The Hawaii Five-0 actress and the Phoenix Suns player reportedly started dating in early 2024. The couple got engaged within a year of their first meeting. Talking to People, Royce O’Neale expressed,

“I was feeling nervous because I wasn’t trying to give off any nerve-wracking behavior or give any signs that something was up. I was really excited because I knew Paige wasn’t expecting it and wanted it to be a huge, special surprise."

Hurd and O’Neale were on vacation on February 13, 2025, at Cabo San Lucas’ Viceroy Riviera Maya when the latter surprised the former with a ring. The NBA further shared how his fiancée was shocked by the surprise during their candlelight dinner. He told the magazine,

“After the proposal I was the happiest I have ever been in my life because she said 'yes.’ The proposal was a great surprise, and she was so shocked that it happened after the whole dinner thinking it was gonna be another time.”

The pair became Instagram official in January 2025 after Royce posted a picture with Paige in his “New Year’s Day” post. A few days later, the 32-year-old actress posted a photo with the NBA pro.