Angel Massey discusses her Family, Legacy, Controversy and Integrity in Hollywood
Angel Massey, mother of actors Christopher and Kyle Massey, reflects on her family’s achievements in Hollywood and the values of integrity, resilience and unity that sustain their legacy.
The Massey family has made history in entertainment, breaking barriers at Disney Channel while setting new standards for African American representation in children’s television.
Massey now carries that story forward, balancing her sons’ achievements with her own emerging voice in radio, a deep commitment to philanthropy and a family legacy rooted in character and service.
Christopher and Kyle Massey were the first African American siblings nominated in the same category for Outstanding Children’s Program, a milestone in television history. Their mother underscores the significance of that moment.
“We were the first African American siblings, the first blacks, first African American siblings, the first males to be nominated at the same time for the same category,” she said.
Kyle Massey went on to star in Cory in the House, marking the first Disney Channel show led by a Black male actor, while Christopher Massey earned recognition for his role in Nickelodeon’s Zoey 101. Beyond their on-screen success, Massey stressed that their impact reaches far beyond television.
“Our legacy in television is super unique, because we’re not just on TV. We used our television stardom, which was our base, to be a good person first, and God blessed us with television as a bonus,” she said.
Massey credits much of her sons’ success to the values instilled at home. She emphasizes parenting not as control but as guidance rooted in integrity.
“I enjoy being a parent. I always made them be good people. Because being a good person, you will get 5-10-20 chances,” she said.
She also acknowledged the importance of unity and teamwork within her family.
“We are a team. We are just like an NFL or NBA team. I just happen to be their mom, but we are a team,” she said.
Just like many families in Hollywood, her family was guided through challenging times when Kyle was in the spotlight for serious accusations several years ago.
According to NBC, Kyle was charged in King County Superior Court with one count of communication with a minor after allegedly sending explicit material to a minor.
Court documents state prosecutors believe the exchanges took place on Snapchat between December 2018 and January 2019. The minor’s mother later gave investigators a flash drive that allegedly contained the explicit videos and messages.
The alleged victim filed a $1.5 million civil lawsuit against Massey in 2019, claiming he sent “numerous sexually explicit text messages, images and videos” over Snapchat.
Kyle has denied the accusations, telling TMZ at the time that he was being extorted, according to NBC.
Massey steadfastly defended her son, stating that anyone who looked at the evidence could see the truth.
“I told Kyle back in 2021, because it’s been four years now since the second time it came up. Most people don’t even realize that if you actually go and read that entire document that TMZ put out [...] it says that Kyle’s Snapchat was subpoenaed by The King County Sheriff Department, and there was no communication with anybody under 18 years old on his Snapchat,” she said.
Massey was firm in her commitment and support as she dealt with the allegations made against her son. She insisted the complete document portrayed a different story, despite the headlines in the media.
“Kyle was at work filming The Millennials on the date and exact time the police officer said he arrested him. [...] If a person reads the actual documents of the Kyle case, it's clear there is nothing there, and four years later. It's nothing.” Massey said.
Massey said the experience was difficult, but she was persistent in her defense of her son's morals, saying they never sought retribution and always discussed the facts. She made it clear that no one in the entertainment business could ever say that Kyle was a bad guy, and she worked to ensure that everyone knew the truth.
The Massey family has extended their influence into philanthropy, notably working with the Starkey Hearing Foundation, which provides hearing aids around the globe.
“We literally have been the first sound that a person has heard in their life, some of them being 6, 70, 82 years old,” said Massey.
This commitment to service, she explained, reflects the family’s long-standing values.
“You can’t find anybody to say that he’s not a decent, high character human being and it be true,” she said of her sons’ reputations.
Christopher had "stickers all on his car, driving probation,” Massey said. “ Just Speedy Gonzalez when he was younger."
She mentioned his history of receiving citations and his one-year driving probation. She pointed out, however, that her son Kyle had never encountered police enforcement in a bad way and had never been given a ticket for traffic violations.
The Massey legacy extends across generations. She also spoke about her nephew Zion’s success as a student-athlete at Ohio State University and her mother’s groundbreaking work at Georgia Tech, where she challenged racial pay disparities.
“We come from tough skin. We come from class,” Massey said.
Her mother’s advocacy shaped how she views perseverance and justice.
“As long as you stay on the right side of right, everything will always work out the way it’s supposed to,” said Massey.
She also stressed the family’s collective strength in facing challenges.
“Love is undefeated. If one of them goes down, naturally it’s going to affect me, and if one of them goes down, it’s going to affect everybody,” she said.
Massey’s story also includes an unexpected chapter—her foray into radio. Encouraged by a disc jockey despite having no prior experience, she debuted her first show on Oct. 2, 2023, on Wi 1570 AM, which is one of the first black radio stations in Atlanta that is FCC-regulated and Nielsen-rated.
That broadcast featured topics ranging from cultural commentary to the history of the NRA, showcasing her willingness to tackle unique, thought-provoking content.
“I can’t fight if I keep on having to look behind me to check on you. I need you to hold on, and let’s take this pride together,” she said, reflecting on her motivation to embrace new challenges.
Christopher continues acting and recently worked on a television series with fellow actor Manny, while Kyle has performed at sold-out shows alongside major artists.
Massey balances her professional ventures with her commitment to health. She maintains a daily fitness routine that underscores her philosophy of self-care.
“Knowledge is power, education is power,” she said, noting that discipline in both mind and body has been key to sustaining the family’s success.
For Massey, her legacy is a testament to the strength of character, integrity and family unity—values that continue to shape their lives and inspire future generations.
“We have a lot of legacy and history in television that some people just wouldn’t know until you sit down and have a conversation with us,” she said.