Comedian and Academy-Award-winning actress Mo’Nique and her husband, Sidney Hicks, have been happily married since 2006. Their not-so-secret secret to long-lasting love has had people talking for years. A few years ago the couple talked about their “open marriage” on an episode of ‘The Preachers,’ a daytime talk show.
“It was my idea,” Mo’nique explained, “because I wanted to be open and honest with the person I was going to spend the rest of my life with.”
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The couple previously explained on their popular podcast, ‘Mo’Nique & Sidney’s Open Relationship,’ that the word “open” doesn’t just refer to sex. Open is how they describe their communication style. Sidney shared at the time, “We are in an open relationship 24/8. And that means we are always open to a conversation. We’re open to the understanding that man and woman or as a couple we should have for one another.”
But, don’t get it twisted: sex with other men and women was a part of their open marriage. Mo’Nique, who initiated the idea (to many people’s shock), believes being honest about that is part of what makes their relationship so ‘beautiful.’ “There may be times I may want to be with other men. And my best friend said, ‘Mama, I’ve loved you since the 10th grade, do you think you being with another man is going to have anything to do with me loving you?,’ she said in the segment.
Although the couple previously made headlines for their open marriage, Mo’nique recently shared that they have decided to close their marriage because she “grew out of” that relationship dynamic.
“Life began to happen. I began to see a strength I had never seen before. He loved me at my worst. I didn’t want to sacrifice that just for a lay,” she told the Hollywood Reporter. “So I grew out of that.”
Is how they work their union really so unconventional? With 17 years of marriage under their belt, Mo’nique can speak about both an open and closed marriage. You may be curious to know if they’re the ones getting it right. But, don’t jump in so fast! When open relationships are discussed, many assumptions are quickly made.
I asked Sexpert Tyomi Morgan to chime in on the topic and share her advice for couples considering an open relationship.
If you are a couple considering this option, here are 5 things you should consider:
1. An open relationship is not partner swapping.
When people hear the term “open relationship,” it doesn’t always mean the couple is having sex with other people. This is one aspect of an open relationship, but it can also be about sharing intimacy and having a relationship with someone else exclusive of sex. Swingers are