Izaak Theo Adu is a British model and artist, born in London on 21 July 1996, and the only child of soul singer Sade Adu and music producer Bob Morgan. He grew up away from the spotlight that follows his famous mother, then stepped into public view in 2016 when he shared his identity as a transgender man on social media. Since then, he has signed with a major modeling agency, walked for fashion brands, married the woman he met online, and inspired his mother’s first new single in six years. This article covers his early life, his transition, his career, his marriage and his place in one of music’s most private families, using reporting from established news outlets.
Who Is Izaak Theo Adu?
Izaak Theo Adu is a model and artist best known as the only child of Sade Adu, the Nigerian-born British singer behind hits such as “Smooth Operator” and “No Ordinary Love.” He was born in London, holds British nationality and uses he/him pronouns.
His mother, Helen Folasade Adu, performs under the name Sade and leads the band of the same name. His father, Bob Morgan, is a Jamaican music producer. Izaak is the couple’s only child.
Izaak studied art and works as a visual artist alongside his modeling career. South China Morning Post reported that he has modeled for Vetements and for Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty, and Sportskeeda reported that he is signed to Next Models.
Sade lives a very quiet life and rarely gives interviews. Because of that, fans often learn about the family through Izaak’s Instagram account, where he shares photos, music recommendations and messages of support for others.
Izaak Theo Adu Bio at a Glance
The table below gathers the main facts about Izaak Theo Adu that major outlets have reported, so you can scan them quickly.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Izaak Theo Adu (also written Izaak Theo Adu-Watts) |
| Known as | Izaak Theo |
| Date of birth | 21 July 1996 |
| Age (November 2026) | 30 years old |
| Zodiac sign | Cancer |
| Birthplace | London, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Gender identity | Transgender man (he/him) |
| Mother | Sade Adu (Helen Folasade Adu), singer and songwriter |
| Father | Bob Morgan, Jamaican music producer |
| Siblings | None, he is an only child |
| Occupation | Model and visual artist |
| Modeling agency | Next Models |
| Fashion work | Vetements, Savage X Fenty (2021) |
| Spouse | Emily Margaret Shakeshaft, hairdresser and artist |
| Wedding date | 16 April 2021, in Hawaii |
| Public coming out | October 2016 |
| Family milestone | Sade’s single “Young Lion” (2024), dedicated to him |
| Social media | Instagram: @izaaktheo |
Most of this information comes from news reports and Izaak’s own public posts. He has not published a detailed biography, so facts such as his exact schooling and any personal earnings remain unconfirmed. No reliable source gives a verified net worth, so this article does not quote one.
Early Life and Family Background
Izaak Theo Adu grew up in London as the only child of two people who worked in music. South China Morning Post describes him as born and raised in the city, and it notes that he went on to study art.
Sade Adu became famous in the 1980s as the lead singer of the London band Sade. After Izaak’s birth in 1996, the band went on a long break, and Sade stepped back from public life to raise her son. Fans waited years for new albums while she kept her family life private.
His father, Bob Morgan, is a Jamaican music producer, and the Independent and AOL both confirm that Izaak is the couple’s only child. Music ran through the household, and Izaak still shares song recommendations with his followers today.
That background also taught him how to handle attention. He has chosen to share parts of his life on his own terms, rather than through tabloids or staged interviews.
Coming Out and Transition Story
Izaak Theo Adu came out as a transgender man in October 2016, when he was 20 years old. Uproxx reported that he wrote a social media post describing the day as the first day of the rest of his life, along with hashtags showing he had begun hormone therapy.
He kept sharing his progress over the next three years. In September 2019, he told followers that he had completed a six-month recovery period after surgery. The Fader reported that he posted an open letter on Instagram to thank his mother for supporting him through the whole process.
Izaak did not hide the hard parts. He spoke about the physical recovery, the waiting, and the relief of finally feeling at home in his body. Many readers and fellow trans people responded with messages of thanks, and several outlets covered the post.
His story drew attention partly because of who his mother is, but also because he told it in a direct, warm way. Outlets from The Fader to PinkNews covered the letter, and many readers saw it as an example of what family support can look like.
Career as a Model and Artist
Izaak Theo Adu works as a model and artist, and he builds both careers through his own creative choices. Sportskeeda reports that Next Models represents him, and models.com lists him on its directory.
His runway credits include Vetements, the label known for its bold streetwear. According to Sportskeeda, he also walked in a Savage X Fenty event in September 2021, a show known for casting people of many body types and identities.
As an artist, Izaak shares his creative work on Instagram. W Magazine once named him its “Scion of the Week” and praised his feed as sincere and playful, which set him apart from his famously reserved mother.
He has not released a formal body of work such as an album or a book. Several low-quality websites claim he has a music career, but no reliable outlet confirms it, so readers should treat those claims with caution.
His Relationship With Sade Adu
Izaak and Sade share a close bond that both of them have discussed in public. He calls her “Mumma” in his posts, and he often wishes her a happy birthday online with photos from their family life.
In 2019, his open letter praised Sade for standing by his side during his transition. The Fader and Papermag both covered the post, and readers around the world shared it as an example of parental support.
Sade rarely comments on her private life, yet she spoke to The New York Times about his wedding. Essence reported that she approved of the couple’s decision to marry privately.
Their relationship also shaped Sade’s music. When she returned to the studio after six years, she chose to write about her son, which shows how central he is to her life.
Why “Young Lion” Matters
“Young Lion” is a 2024 song that Sade Adu wrote for her son, and it marked her first new single in six years. The track appeared on October 25, 2024, as part of TRAИƧA, a compilation from the Red Hot Organization that celebrates trans and non-binary artists.
Clash reported that Sade composed the song with Aaron Taylor Dean and Ben Travers. TheGrio reported that she based it on a letter she gave Izaak on his 21st birthday. In the lyrics, she asks her son to forgive her.
A music video followed on November 22, 2024. DJ Mag noted that it uses footage from Sade’s own archive of herself and her child, including home movies of Izaak as a young boy. BET described a final scene of the two embracing on a beach.
Izaak responded to the song in an interview with Rolling Stone. He said there was nothing he needed to forgive his mother for, but that the lyrics still touched him. On Instagram, he thanked her and said the project felt important to many other people.
Marriage to Emily Shakeshaft
Izaak Theo Adu married hairdresser and artist Emily Margaret Shakeshaft on 16 April 2021 in Hawaii. Essence, citing The New York Times, reported that the couple wed privately, and Izaak shared the news on Instagram with the caption “Mr and Mrs Adu-Watts.”
The two met through social media in 2019. Essence reported that Emily first messaged Izaak to congratulate him on his progress, and they met in person on 13 November 2019.
They announced their engagement in May 2020. They had planned to elope in New York on 13 November 2020, a year after their first meeting, but the pandemic ended that plan.
Izaak told The New York Times that he feels his mother is with him wherever he goes. He said that the day before the wedding, a car in front of them carried a license plate that matched Sade’s initials. The couple still post affectionate photos of each other online.
Social Media Presence and Public Image
Izaak Theo Adu uses Instagram as his main public platform, under the handle @izaaktheo. He posts personal updates, art, family photos and encouraging messages, and he has said he wants to help people who feel alone.
Amomama reported that he also shares daily song suggestions with his followers. Those posts give fans a rare look at the musical taste that runs through his family.
W Magazine contrasted his open style with Sade’s low profile. SCMP described him as the person through whom fans now get most news about his mother.
Izaak shares milestones such as his wedding, his recovery and his mother’s new song, and he lets those posts speak for themselves.
Conclusion
Izaak Theo Adu has built a public identity of his own as a model, artist and advocate for acceptance, while staying close to his mother, Sade Adu. His open letter in 2019, his marriage in 2021 and the release of “Young Lion” in 2024 show a family that has chosen honesty and love over secrecy. For readers who want accurate information, the best sources remain his own posts and reports from established outlets.
Frequently Asked Questions About Izaak Theo Adu
Who is Izaak Theo Adu?
Izaak Theo Adu is a British model and artist born in London on 21 July 1996. He is the only child of singer Sade Adu and music producer Bob Morgan. He came out as a transgender man in 2016 and now shares his life and art on Instagram.
Is Izaak Theo Adu really Sade’s son?
Yes. Major outlets, including the Independent, AOL and South China Morning Post, confirm that Izaak is Sade Adu’s only child. Sade also dedicated her 2024 single “Young Lion” to him, and she spoke publicly about his wedding to The New York Times.
How old is Izaak Theo Adu?
Izaak Theo Adu was born on 21 July 1996, so he is 30 years old as of November 2026. His zodiac sign is Cancer. Early news stories from 2019 describe him as 23, which matches this birth date.
Who is Izaak Theo Adu’s father?
His father is Bob Morgan, a Jamaican music producer. The Independent and AOL both name Morgan as Sade Adu’s partner and as Izaak’s father. Some low-quality websites list other men as his father, but reliable news outlets do not support those claims.
When did Izaak Theo Adu come out as transgender?
Izaak came out as a transgender man in October 2016. Uproxx reported that he posted on social media that day marked the start of the rest of his life. He completed a six-month recovery after surgery and thanked his mother in September 2019.
Who is Izaak Theo Adu married to?
Izaak is married to Emily Margaret Shakeshaft, a hairdresser and artist. They wed on 16 April 2021 in Hawaii, according to Essence and The New York Times. The couple first connected on Instagram in 2019 and met in person that November.
What does Izaak Theo Adu do for a living?
Izaak works as a model and artist. Sportskeeda reports that Next Models represents him, and he has walked for Vetements and a 2021 Savage X Fenty event. He also shares his artwork and creative projects on his Instagram account.
What is the song “Young Lion” about?
“Young Lion” is Sade’s tribute to Izaak. She released it on 25 October 2024 as part of the TRAИƧA compilation. TheGrio reported that she based it on a letter she wrote for his 21st birthday. In the song, she asks him to forgive her.
What is Izaak Theo Adu’s Instagram name?
His Instagram handle is @izaaktheo. He uses the account to share photos, art, music suggestions and messages of support. Many news stories about Sade Adu’s family life start with posts from this account, since Sade herself rarely posts or gives interviews.
What is Izaak Theo Adu’s net worth?
No reliable source has published a verified net worth for Izaak Theo Adu. Sites that list a figure usually cite no evidence. His known income comes from modeling and art, and his family background does not confirm any specific number, so readers should treat such claims carefully.
