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.
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……
good
Not 1st but close. They are so cute together.
i love tisha! i love the both of them 4 the way they handled that question!
Marlan need his azz whooped
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!
PEOPLE NEED TO MIND THEY OWN DAMN BUSINESS AND LEAVE THEM ALONE.
“Let’s stay tooogether!” I luv em’ both to death!
Liars!!!!LOL
They make a good couple, I hope they last.
I’m glad they’re still together and going strong. I didn’t believe the rumors anyway.
I LOVE these two!!!
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
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.
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.
Well i hope they stay together and raise that child up with love as that is all he needs.
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.
Correction: *Well*
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.
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
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 !!!
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.
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 !!!!!!
THEY ARE THE BEST DAMN SHAME CUS I BELEIVED THE RUMORS DAN U WENDY WILLIAMS!!! STILL LUV YU GIRL!
17 years is a beautiful thing. Good for them.
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.
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.
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.
KANYE IS NUTS
Uh huh…ok.
awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww they are inspiring….god bless em`
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!
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.
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!!!
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!
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….
I loved them and hoped the drama wasn’t true..thankfully it wasn’t…they have been together for AWHILE…good lookin..
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!
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!!!
They are a beautiful couple w/ a beautiful family. May god bless them with their journey!!
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.
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.
IN STILL DON’T BELIEVE THEM….. IF YOU NOTICED, HE SAID HE WAS DEFENDING HIS 17 YEAR RELATIONSHIP, NOT IS 11 YEAR MARRIAGE… AHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!
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.
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.
Very nicely done Tischa and Duane. Very nice.
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.
good for them
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.
I love the article..I am sooo happy for them….God Bless the child!!!
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
i heart them
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!!!
nice couple.
Their relationship is soo strong that it’s simply BEAUTIFUL! I love them as a couple!
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.
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.
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!
Essence is getting really lame. I still don’t believe them ,but whatever it ain’t my life.
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.
This is the most ignorant comment I’ve seen on this thread. Why does it have to be the “white man”? If a dude is gay, he’s gay. Bringing race into this battle is absurd. If anything,.it leads to actual issues of racism to be discredited amongst the general population of all races. The martin’s are dumb using the example they did, because peoplehave been calling matt damon and ben affleck gay for years. Entertainers in general have been accused of being gay across racial lines for years. Would they have said that to 60 minutes?