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RUMOR CONTROL: TISHA & DUANE MARTIN SPEAK TO ESSENCE

Friday, September 7, 2007

tishad.jpg
Tisha & Duane at the 38th Annual NAACP Image Awards earlier this year.

In a recent interview with Essence Magazine, Tisha & Duane Martin spoke candidly about their relationship and those crazy rumors that have been circulating on the web. They also spoke about their son, Xen, who has autism.

Essence.com: For the past month, the blogosphere has been filled with rumors about the future of your marriage. How are you holding up?

Duane Martin: Mark Twain said it best: “A lie can travel halfway round the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.” So I’m not going to defend myself against a gay rumor when I’m trying to defend my son against autism. We would look really stupid trying to take our focus off autism, which affects all of us, to fight a gay rumor. The reason we are talking today is because what we will defend is our 17-year relationship. Nobody is touching that. So whoever wants to rumble, let’s rumble.
Tisha Martin: (Laughs) My baby’s smart! My baby daddy’s smart. My baby daddy reads.

Essence.com: (Laughs) How long have you been married?
Tisha Martin: Only 11 years, but we’ve been together for 17.
Duane Martin: Yep and I’m not going anywhere.

Essence.com: So for the record, are you getting a divorce?
Tisha Martin: Hell no!
Duane Martin: Listen, let me tell you something. I will chew her ass up and swallow it before I let somebody else have her.
Tisha Martin: (laughs) Jeffrey Dahmer-style!

Essence.com: Bloggers even wrote that Duane and longtime friend Will Smith are an item?
Tisha Martin: (Laughs) Our theory is that it’s really a slave mentality. Whenever the Black community has leaders, potential leaders or a family unit, we emasculate them. You don’t ever see them do that to Ben Affleck or Matt Damon. They can be friends, and be powerful individually or collectively and do amazing things.
Duane Martin: It’s a Brat Pack when White people do it.

Essence.com: And Tisha, you and your longtime friend Tichina Arnold are supposedly a hot couple?
Tisha Martin: (Laughs) Yeah, I’ve heard that one before. It’s hilarious.
Duane Martin: (Laughs) Very…

Essence.com: What were some of the reactions you received from your friends?
Tisha Martin: (Laughs) The Wayanses told Duane that he matches too much and he should stop matching his clothes so much and maybe people wouldn’t think he was gay.
Duane Martin: I said to Shawn, Damian and Craig Wayans, “Whassup, y’all didn’t call me. Yo that means y’all believe that s—! I didn’t get no jokes on my machine or nothing.” Craig said, “Yo man, we were scared.”
Tisha Martin: (Laughs) They said Marlon (Wayans) said, “Man, we were in Above the Rim together; I need to call him.”
Duane Martin: (Laughs) Marlon said, “Man, I’m mad at you! We all family. We love you, but the problem is, man, if you been gay all this time, I’m mad because you never hit on me. I’m handsome.”

Essence.com: Raising an autistic child can be extremely difficult; how is Xen progressing?
Tisha Martin: We truly believe that he is going to conquer all of this, and he is every single day. Five years ago, when you met him, he couldn’t even speak and now he’s holding conversation.
Duane Martin: He reads on a fourth grade level and he’s only six.
Tisha Martin: Autistic children are extremely bright if you can connect to them and bring them into our world. Socially it’s really hard for them, but it can happen. Xen is doing great socially because we caught it very early.

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109 Comments


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1.

Tazz1504

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

Im a fan of both and I think its sad if the rumors are true but they both were known as a swigger couple just like Will and Jada and the rest of her clan so what is expected is going to happen……

2.

Thicky_c314

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

good

3.

gaydar

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

Not 1st but close. They are so cute together.

4.

phillys_only_passion

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

i love tisha! i love the both of them 4 the way they handled that question!

5.

Thicky_c314

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

Marlan need his azz whooped

6.

KSH

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

I like the way they handled that! Real classy!

I don’t blame them, I would not even worry about all this bullshit! People just make up shit off the top of their heads and don’t give a shit about who it is affecting.

Stay Strong! Black love is beautiful!

7.

NYCLatinaQT

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

PEOPLE NEED TO MIND THEY OWN DAMN BUSINESS AND LEAVE THEM ALONE.

8.

mrs sands

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

“Let’s stay tooogether!” I luv em’ both to death!

9.

H-Town Chic***

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

Liars!!!!LOL

10.

julieisadime

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

They make a good couple, I hope they last.

11.

mika...

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

I’m glad they’re still together and going strong. I didn’t believe the rumors anyway.

12.

leslie arnelle

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

I LOVE these two!!!

13.

tellmewhy

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

Uh, I guess they haven’t heard those gay rumors about Matt Damon and Ben Affleck! Those been around for years!! LOL..

who knows.. my old boss used to say its’ a lie when the Enquirer tells it, but it’s the truth People does

14.

MEL

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

No Tisha didn’t say… My baby daddy can read. She sounds like the autistic one but oh well, time will tell. They say the woman is always the last to know. Good luck w/the marriage though.

15.

Softest Place On Earth

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

It’s true that the first comment you hear from ppl is such and such is gay. Where on these blogs anyway cause I don’t hear too many ppl goin around calling ppl gay all willy nilly where I stay.

I’m glad that they are happy and are sticking out, I think ppl start rumors to see black couples divorce since they doin it so easily these days.

I”m glad to hear they son is doin great and I hope he continues to get better.

16.

QueenChocolate

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

Well i hope they stay together and raise that child up with love as that is all he needs.

17.

complexndope

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

Essence.com: Bloggers even wrote that Duane and longtime friend Will Smith are an item?
Tisha Martin: (Laughs) Our theory is that it’s really a slave mentality. Whenever the Black community has leaders, potential leaders or a family unit, we emasculate them. You don’t ever see them do that to Ben Affleck or Matt Damon. They can be friends, and be powerful individually or collectively and do amazing things.
Duane Martin: It’s a Brat Pack when White people do it.

^^ This part rings so true. I’m happy for them.

18.

Softest Place On Earth

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

Correction: *Well*

19.

YOU GUYS NEED TO RELAX

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

I’m glad they spoke up, even though they shouldn’t have to. I would just like black people to support each other instead of trying to break each other down with rumors. We have enough problems in the world today without attacking each other, especially the ones that accomplished something. Everybody these days want everyone to be gay. What the hell is up with that? Everywhere you go or everytime you read something whether it’s in a paper or on the internet. Gay this gay that. I don’t have anything against gay people but if a person is not gay, they are not gay, and if they are a closet gay, WHO CARES????!!! let them stay in the closet. The way I see it the only ones who usually care about everyone being gay are ones who are closet gays and won’t admit it which is why they call everyone else gay to keep the attention off themselves. It’s rare these days to have a black couple, both famous to be together for 17 years and married for 11. That is a fantastic feat considering how the world is today.

20.

KSH

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

I don’t know why people on the outside always know other people’s better than they do. that is some funny shit to me. Since this downlow shit people will just say anyone is gay - all they have to say is “I heard” - ain’t heard shit! LOL

21.

yell

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

I have not heard these rumors until now about Duane .But Tisha, Wendy WIlliams and everyone was else has put her on blast ! I love them both and God Bless !!!

22.

MS. Rochelle

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

Kudos for the Martins being mature in their response to the rumors. I didn’t realize that they’ve been together for 17 years. I’m a tad concerned about that Jeffrey Dahmer statement. I’m glad that their son is overcoming his autism and doing so well. I wish them continued success in their personal and professional lives.

23.

prime1

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

It’s great to see them keep it so light . When U true to one another …. rumors don’t faze . And if they both bi … who cares . Blacks know how to attack blacks !!!!!!

24.

BashyBoo

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

THEY ARE THE BEST DAMN SHAME CUS I BELEIVED THE RUMORS DAN U WENDY WILLIAMS!!! STILL LUV YU GIRL!

25.

ms_mac

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

17 years is a beautiful thing. Good for them.

26.

hopechrissy

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

I knew these were rumors. These two are like Mary J and Kendu; a powerful black couple. Oh well. There you have it. And like Tisha said, why is it that if two black women or two black men are seen chillin’ all the time hanging out, they’re labeled as being gay or lesbian. Oh whatever. But when other nationalities do it, oh, they’re just friends. Please we as blacks need to see what real is. Too many times we look at so called big gossip in the media world. The only people who know what’s going on in their lives are those people. Honestly speaking, those folks that are writing this bullshyt and spreading all of these nasty rumors, are usually the ones with the most skeletons in their closet. They’re trying to cover it up, by so-called exposing others, when they’re the ones with the real drama. Oh whatever. I wish the Martin’s the best of luck.

27.

JUDAH

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

You know what’s funny, as soon as things start to get exposed, people want to speak on black issues and a “slave mentality”. I love how negroes get all ethnocentric and race conscious when they hit some turbulence or affliction in their attempt to achieve the “American Dream”. Those are the same people that will call a regular black man or black woman a racist for saying what “stars” like Duane Martin and Tisha Campbell said. I think it’s the best acting that either one of them have done in years.

28.

Chanté

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

I’m tired of people thinking that close friends of the same gender are automatically secret lovers. They’re are like anyone of us, except that they play in movies. To the people thinking Tisha and Duane are on the DL with their friends, do y’all screw your OWN best friend of the same gender?!! I bet most of yall don’t so get a life, get a damn life. I love how those two handled the rumors.

29.

ballers wife

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

KANYE IS NUTS

30.

TGS

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

Uh huh…ok.

31.

reessezz

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww they are inspiring….god bless em`

32.

Martinique_fr

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

God bless that child. I never did believe the ish that was circulating about them, but I’m glad they cleared it up for the close minded people.
What’s up with black people? we can’t have close firendships with people of the same sex without being gay? Come on now!

33.

shawn08

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

To be honest, you can’t believe the blog sites when it comes to gay and lesbian rumors. Reason being, the blog sites have all of HOLLYWOOD being gay or lesbian, but never have any proof.

I can see if you found Duane Martin picking up a tranny! Then I can understand the rumor. But to say someone is gay or a lesbian with no proof is like the worst rumor to put out thereand it is irresponsible.

34.

Star

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

All I have to say is, IF TISHA AIN’T MADE, WTF are we doing EVEN discussing it. Get ya own life!!!

Jay/Beyonce*Will/Jada*Duane/Tisha

DO IT DEN NUCKAS!!!

35.

dee dee

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

This couple is SERIOUS about staying together. It is amazing to see that because you just don’t see it anymore. People are not dedicated to marriage anymore. I had no idea their son has Autism, what a difficult thing to deal with. I never, ever felt this man could be gay. What is that about? Every time I see Tisha, I think, RAGS TO RICHES!

36.

Star

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

and BTW if ya wanna start the ‘they all probably swingging” B/S then run it.

Cause whatever they doing it, they are happy so NATHAN else matters….

37.

Mz Coko

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

I loved them and hoped the drama wasn’t true..thankfully it wasn’t…they have been together for AWHILE…good lookin..

38.

allabouttheAries

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

I almost threw up when I heard about the gay rumors…at the hair salon no less lol…Neways I’m so glad they aint true. They are a cute couple. I’m glad they are focusing on their son and not the dumb ass rumors…Couldn’t they have pulled out a better excerpt from Tisha good Lord!

39.

Mytmax

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

I’m glad they addressed this crap. And that slave mentality comment is right on point! The main reason why it’s so hard for black people to get ahead!!!

40.

lucylynn

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

They are a beautiful couple w/ a beautiful family. May god bless them with their journey!!

41.

YOU GUYS NEED TO RELAX

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

People speak out not because something gets so called exposed it’s usually because they feel that enough is enough. When you keep hearing something over and over and over again to the point where it’s not just on these goofy blog sites, it’s starts to reach friends and family you have to speak out. People love to say that someone is acting or putting on a great performance because they say that they aren’t gay. Either way gay or not….it’s not gonna change your life, it’s not like if Duane Martin came out of the closet that you would have a chance with him. Next week they will be saying that the kid who played Duane Martin’s son on All Of Us is gay or the lil girl from My Wife and Kids is gay. Where does it end?? The only reason people would get race conscious is because it’s thier own race spreading the rumors, you expect a lot of things in life but you don’t really expect your own people to kick you down, but again closet haters are always lurking.

42.

BRAD

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

I’M SORRY FANS, BUT THEY’RE BOTH BISEXUAL. MY COUSIN’S FRIEND WHO IS GAY SAID HE SEEN BOTH OF THEM THERE AT A SWINGER’S RETREAT HELD IN LOWER MANHATTAN IN EARLY 2000. I MEAN I HATE TO BE THE ONE TO START SHIT BUT THAT’S JUST THE FACTS!

OH WELL…I AM A FAN OF TISHA.

43.

M E RENEGADE

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

IN STILL DON’T BELIEVE THEM….. IF YOU NOTICED, HE SAID HE WAS DEFENDING HIS 17 YEAR RELATIONSHIP, NOT IS 11 YEAR MARRIAGE… AHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

44.

YOU GUYS NEED TO RELAX

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

No offense but it’s always someone’s cousins gay friend who saw someone famous at an event kissing someone of the same gender. It’s never the person you trust telling you the story or someone you know who doesn’t lie on a regular basis that saw it go down. Gay people don’t lie? Gay people tell the truth all the time?? 100% fact that a gay person never told a lie? Come on even you know better than that. I guess the cousin’s friend would never do an interview about what he saw if it in fact happened.

45.

southern_queen

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

I’m more than happy to hear them speak about the rumors,etc.,but more importanly about the son (Xen). This is my first time reading or hearing about him having autism. My (son),as I have commented about before is mildly autistic and like Duane said that’s what’s important(”defending his son against autism”) making sure he’s taken care of. I know what he means! * I for one ,was “thrown off” by the rumor myself! Hell, I even forwarded “the email” to Angel,to see if the CL crew was up on the rumor! Thank God it’s NOT true. I wish them all the best in love and life. Thanks for the post CL.

46.

kander1625

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

Very nicely done Tischa and Duane. Very nice.

47.

natural mystique

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

I’m not convinced.
And why was the interviewer persisting with those accusations? Why not just stop at the 1st one? I swear, Essence is trash now.

48.

sexual chocolate

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

good for them

49.

Bittersweets

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

Its really sad that black celebrities have to keep defending themselves from “gay” rumors - often unfounded and without a trace of confirmation. Some of us would stop of nothing when it comes to bringing our own down.

50.

MeetMeOrExceedME

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

I love the article..I am sooo happy for them….God Bless the child!!!

51.

Stacy H

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

can black people stop making everything a racial issue. that comment that Duane made about Ben and Matt is not right! people used to make snide comments about their sexuality all the time. you know that it is funny when black celebrities talk to a black publication, they want to play the race card, but I bet they would not say that mess in People or US. get over yourselves. it is gossip. just about every celebrity black or white straight or gay has had people question their sexuality. look at Tom Cruise, they say he is gay all the time. when you are a celebrity that is the price of fame. sometimes you have to deal with the B.S. trust me if no one was talking about them they would be more upset

52.

AWW GINA!!!

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

i heart them

53.

truthseekertruthspeaker

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

Hmmm…Duane made a good point about the dual perceptions assigned to black entertainers when they congregate in comparison to the white entertainers.

Tisha still so hood….and Duane is oh so yummy. Thank the Lord that he has quelled that rumor…He is still playing for the right team!! Yippeeeee!!!

54.

HOTSAUCE IN THE WINTER

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

nice couple.

55.

BEAUTY Q.T.

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

Their relationship is soo strong that it’s simply BEAUTIFUL! I love them as a couple!

56.

OKAY

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

I love the response they gave. Honestly, why does it matter what they do in their marriage. If it works for them, I say do it to death.

57.

Bella

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

hmmm, so why speak out at all? especially now after all this time. i guess around this time next year we’ll hear they’ve filed for divorce. i hope not though. i like them as a couple. i really think they were split but have since reconciled. they can say what they want.

58.

foxxy380

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

I still don’t know whether to believe them or not. Oh well, f^k it! If they like, I love it. LMAO @ Marlon Wayans. Dude is crazy!

59.

TAMMY

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

Essence is getting really lame. I still don’t believe them ,but whatever it ain’t my life.

60.

JUDAH

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

It’s irrelevant to me what people do or what they’re orientation is off general principles. What intrigues me is how prevalent this swinger and bisexual lifestyle is amongst famous blacks. That shows me that either the white man is looking for these people as a prerequisite to breaking into the “industry” or they’re systematically being turned out once they break in.

61.

NIX

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

hmmmmmmmmmmm mmmmmmmmmmmm
then 2 weeks from now the headlines will come out
duane and tisha martin getting divorced
nah just kidding I like them as a couple
they kinda remind me of myself and my husband (without the gay rumors lol)
and they are right autism can be conquered as long as you have the paitience fortunately for tisha she can afford the time

lol @ blogosphere

62.

vexxed

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

I do not think the whole swinger thing is prevalent at all. I think it’s one of those things non-famous people say about famous people to make their lives seem less glamorous or desirable. I think famous people do not involve themselves anymore than the rest of the population in that kind of thing, but the innuendo sells magazines and keeps blogs popping.

63.

ohplease

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

all they had to say was they are committed to their marriage, would not address any rumors about it, and focus all talk on caring for Xen. instead they’re talking all this random nonsense about “my babydaddy” and Jeffrey Dahmer. Not necessary.

64.

MO

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

Someone is deflecting………………………

I personally don’t care if he is gay or not, but I would rather him not even respond to the rumor rather than deflect!

65.

Quiche-A

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

@ Judah
I agree with you wholeheartedly!

And I love how Duane insists he’s not going to defend himself against a gay rumor but instead will defend his autistic child and then spends practically the whole interview “defending” himself against a gay rumor and says ONE sentence about his autistic child! Go figure!

66.

dctrinigyal

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

MARLON IS SO DAMN GAY ITS NOT EVEN FUNNY….HE WASNT PLAYING HE WAS DEAD SERIOUS.

TISHA AND DWAYNE IS HOLDING ON STRONG…I RESPECT THEM SO MUCH. THE ONLY THING YOU CAN DO IS LAUGH AT THE SITUATION AND THATS WHAT THEY DID.

XEN IS SO CUTE….I WISH THEY SHOW PICS OF HIM.

67.

VonDoRaun

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

hahahaha! great try Tisha and Duane but im not buyin it…it seems to me that yall are tryin to run interference and downplay the situation with laughs and giggles…im not buyin it at all Duane you gay Tisha yo a** a swinger Will and Jada we still waiting on yall to deny it…Im done!

68.

setian

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

Yes you are Marlon!

69.

Dame

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

They talked too much all they had to stay was No he’s not gay and or marriage is strong.

70.

alittleextra

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

it looks like they really love eachother and are in love with each other, 17 years- thats GREAT MANN. GOOD LUCK TO THEM. AND I LOVE THEM AS A COUPLE. I LOVE THE COUPLES WHERE NOBODY WANTS THEM TO LAST, LIKE URSH AND MEKA

71.

KID GOT PLAY

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

All I can say is I remember in the first House Party movie, in the scene when Kid and Tish were about to do it and all of a sudden her parent came home. She jumped up to get dressed and had on the matching bra and panties. We use to freeze frame that sh*t on the vcr. Baby girl was nice….I mean real nice back then.

She was of course a lot younger, but I must say that as I’ve grown and watched her grow through the years that she has matured into a beautiful black woman. She’s underated I think because she hasn’t had that big break out part, but Martin wouldn’t be Martin without Gina, and her show with Damon kept me in sticthes. But in the Little Shop of Horror, baby girl be jammin!. I absolutely love her and am a big, big fan of them both.

Duane, brother is the king of B movies. Whether with Vivica or Kelly Rowland, he does an outstanding job everytime. I never thaought the brother was gay, especially when he bagged Tish, I knew he had taste. I commend them both for the way they handle the rumors, their careers and their family.

Fine example of a black couple and one of the very few I actually think will last. It better cause if not, I’m coming for you Gina! lol

72.

floridag

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

^^^#69 they talked too much? It’s an interview, they were answering questions!

73.

No Drama

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

I love them both and wish their family nothing but the best with there fight against autism. I think Toni B. son also has autism. It’s something that affects alot of families.

74.

toosexy4myskin

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

Im sorry…..but I just don’t believe their marriage is all that. They probably don’t want people to know their business………Didn’t Tisha refer to him as “Her Baby Daddy?” Why not say her HUSBAND…….Besides that remember them pictures CL posted a couple weeks…. somebody explain that PLEAZZZE?????

75.

Landon

Friday, September 7, 2007 /

IT AINT NOTHING GAY ABOUT DUANE MARTIN’S FINE ASS, THEY HAVE BEEN TOGETHER FOR A DAMN LONG TIME AND THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO DEFEND THEIR RELATIONSHIP AGAINST VISCIOUS RUMORS. HAPPY FOR THEIR SON TO, IT’S GOOD THAT HE HAS PARENTS THAT CARE ABOUT HIM ENOUGH TO HELP HIM THROUGH THE MINOR SETBACKS

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