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.
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
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.
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.
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!
@ 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!
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.
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!
Yes you are Marlon!
They talked too much all they had to stay was No he’s not gay and or marriage is strong.
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
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
^^^#69 they talked too much? It’s an interview, they were answering questions!
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.
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?????
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
I don’t think he’s gay…….much respect to them…..they have more important things to worry about like each other and their family.
something about Tisha has always bothered me… uugh. even her character on martin got on my nerves.
I’m glad that the rumors weren’t true.
The reason why most of the interview is about the rumors is because that’s what Essence wanted to talk about — that’s the only reason they are even interviewing them at all. And since neither Duane or Tisha have any active projects, TV shows [his was just cancelled], or movies – this is publicity for them.
Not only that – they may have spent hours talking about something esle, but the rumors is all Essence wanted, and trust me, these entertainers have little to no control over interviews and what’s printed.
I agree….So I am VERY glad that they didn’t decide to even humor those questions about their marriage and sexuality in great detail or in great length. Since when did Essence (or Ebony for that matter) feature THEM in an issue of “Black Love”? I mean if I’m wrong/don’t know, someone fill me in. Yet, the moment something as superficial as a “gay rumor” surface, they want to suddenly conduct an interview (?) to acknowledge and question their marriage(?)….GO FIGURE.
Absolutely beautiful family. Xen is so handsome. And good for them for focusing on what is really important – their son!!
Will and Jada Smith lite= Duane and Tisha Martin, lol. But seriously I luv them as a couple. Tisha has a point, no one ask Ben Aflack and Matt Damon about their relationship, but Duane and Will’s relationship is put under a microscope. Black people are so mean to one another, it just dont make any sense.
Tisha Campbell is hilarious and I think Duane made his point well.
God bless their family.
I love them both and I can’t wait to see them on T.V again, especially Tisha!!!
I understand it was an interview but they were bsing around the main ?’s
They have been together for a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOng time esp when you consider how relationships in hollywood break up at lightning speed.They waited 6 years to marry ,then after marriage 5 years to have a baby so I guess they really know each other well. I didnt know their son was autistic.That was news to me. Glad hes making great progress.Whether they are tellign truth about gay/bi thing dont know ,lol but hey its there life so whatever.They are husband and wife!
BUT I have to something :IM LMAO because I’m wondering how many of the people in here that are now saying “LEAVE THEM ALONE” “I LOVE BLACK LOVE” “I KNEW THEM RUMORS WERENT TRUE”lol are the same ones who not so long ago were adamant that Duane was infact gay or bi and talking shyt! lol
I have nothing but love and respect for the both of them and i wish them all the best for the future with their son xen
Wow I aint kno their child was autistic dang Toni Braxton is going through the same thing with her little boy. I’m just glad their not breaking up cuz I’m a huge fan of both of them and they are so hilarious n cute together. I’m glad that their son is doing well inspite of his minor dissability so I wish them all the best
i still think duane is gay or bi
but what is so funny about him eating her ass and her cosigning like what jeffrey damer did was cute!
Wendy Williams might have been the first radio personality to voice it in the States but it started LIKE SO MUCH DIRT DOES, with the caribbean fools who are just jealous of americans! Americans need to stay away from these losers. They are destructive.
August 04, 2007. A few days ago, MediaTakeOut.com reported to you that Turks And Caicos Premier Michael Misick (husband to Lisa Raye) was involved in an altercation after being caught on film arriving into the country with actor Duane Martin. (se our story here). It now appears that the entire incident will be settled in court.
And MediaTakeOut.com has learned that Duane Martin may be called in to testify as to the nature of his relationship with the Caribbean leader.
Here’s a description of the entir event sent to us by a reputable Caribbean journalist:
On July 13, amidst speculations that the British Government would be launching enquiries into the practices of all of its remaining territories, the Opposition of the Turks & Caicos Islands held a press conference to address certain critical issues. During the aforesaid press conference, Hon. Arthur Robinson, an elected official of the PDM Opposition had highlighted Michael E. Misick’s frequent, often extended, personal, international travels, accusing Mr. Misick (husband of Lisa Raye of The Players Club fame) of being an absentee leader, and dispelling reports from the Premier’s office that Mr. Misick had been in office throughout the week. While in his home in Los Angeles , California , Mr. Misick was notified of the press conference, and without delay flew home (which I guess explains why upon arrival he was still in his pajamas). Hon. Robinson was apparently tipped off of Mr. Misick’s departure and imminent arrival into the TCI.
A few hours later, Hon. Robinson and Mr. Shawn Malcolm (the National Chairman of the PDM party), were on the grounds of the TCI Attorney General’s Chambers obtaining evidentiary support. Hon. Robinson and Mr. Malcolm proceeded to film the arrival of the Premier on his private G3 Plane from Los Angeles in order to rebut the false reports. Another interesting thing captured on film was the fact that neither the Premier nor any of the members of his entourage cleared immigration or customs on entering the Country.
On noticing the filming after disembarking, the Premier’s vehicle made a detour to the Attorney General’s Chambers where he alongside his bodyguard, a police officer and Mr. Duane Martin of the UPN show “All of us,” vacated a black Land Rover luxury SUV. On discharging the vehicle, the Premier brutishly assaulted Hon. Robinson, incessantly pounding on his chest, while demeaning him with an onslaught of obscenities including repeatedly referring to Hon. Robinson by a vulgar feline term for the female genitalia. Subsequently, on the Premier’s command, his armed, 6’6” bodyguard seized the video camera from Mr. Malcolm. Following Mr. Malcolm’s queries, the bodyguard purported that he was confiscating the camera.
After the ordeal, Hon Robinson walked over to the Police Station (which is on the same premises as the Attorney General’s Chambers), in order to file a police report. Whilst Hon. Robinson was providing his statement, the Premier’s bodyguard phoned the Police Station, ordering police officers to desist from taking Hon. Robinson’s statement.
When residents got wind of the evening’s occurrences, many took to the streets and a peaceful demonstration at the Premier’s residence was organized. During the demonstration Mr. Gilmo Williams, a member of the Executive Council, vacated the Premier’s home, alongside several armed men to address the demonstrators. A fuming Mr. Williams continually hurled disparaging commands and profanities at the outraged but composed crowd. Moreover, the TCI police force was called in by the Premier to muzzle the protest. All the while Martin and the Premier were nestled away in the Premier’s mansion.
On Saturday, 15th July Mr. Misick accompanied Mr. Martin to Puerto Rico where the couple spent the night. On Sunday Misick arranged a private flight to take Mr. Martin to Los Angeles, then returned home, conspicuously late for his church service, all the while affirming that he had never left the country.
Martin’s statement and testimony when the matter comes to trial should be interesting.
These 2 need to cut ties with lisa raye and that fool she married. Building a hotel down on his island? how stupid can they get. He’ll end up with everything. He has all the rights down there and if there is a problem he’ll have them locked up if they demand their rights. Not only that, they’ll probably be sued up the azz by the locals and win in their courts which are prejudice against americans. Making money is one thing but a fool and his money are soon parted. If they have an ounce of sense they would severe ties with these people.
I knew this was just a case of someone starting rumors that are not true. These two
have been together for along time and both of them are straight. Duane Martin is so jealous of his wife he doesn’t even want other men talking to her. I saw them do an interview and he acts very jealous of his wife. No, they are both straight. Alot of the time is people put out rumors that aren’t true, due to jealousy. The main ones starting rumors are the gay ones, check yourself. I went through something similar, I’m a straight woman, and I was walking with my man, and this fat dyke, with a curl,
she’s crazy and acts retarded. She talks real loud like slow people do, she said something about one of us that wasn’t true. The next day she tried to speak but I heard the retarded Dyke, her name starts with D, I looked her dead in the eye and didn’t speak, because I knew she was the source of the rumor, her and this dirty low down half blind man, who pretended to be my friend, Only he was never my friend. He got mad a me because he had a crush on me, he’s not my type, he doesn’t hold a candle to my man. He hangs out with this fat, dyke, retarded with a curl. Now, that’s why I didn’t speak. Get your information straight before starting rumors.
For the record one of my relatives is in law enforcement. Diane you retarded Dyke with a curl ,fat you and your half blind companion with his sorry self. That’s a true statement. I heard what you said and it is not true. But what is true, if you continue to spread false rumors about me and my man I will prosecute you for defamation of character and have you fired. Chew on that.
This is to Diane with your dumbass. My man is straight and so am I. We are both straight. You will stop spreading false information or I will see to it you are fired and arrested for defamation of character. This is a true statement Diane is a retarded dyke
old fashioned, slow with a curl. Now that’s true. You can’t have me cause I’m straight
and you can’t have my man cause he’s mine and he’s straight not to mention he has taste.
Diane you damn right i’m pissed off, how would you feel if someone was putting out false information about you and your man. Get your info right before you spread rumors, I always treated you nice and looked over the fact that you are retarded and a dyke, but get this straight, I’m straight and so is my man. This is not like telling everyone you meet false information because you are jealous and fat and gender confused. I’m telling the truth. One of my relatives is in law enforcement, back off, or you will be prosecuted for defamation of character,and fired for employee misconduct.
Diane you just been paid back for lying and spreading false information it’s a gift from
Reese Whiterspoon, figure it out.
Diane is a liar.
Diane is a liar.
Diane is fat with an old fashioned curl, a dyke, slow , crazy out of her mind, and half retarded.
Diane sucks big time.
WE HATE DIANE.
Diane and Leon let me predict your future. If you continue to spread lies and false rumors, I will have you fired for employee misconduct, at which point you will be arrested on charges of defamation of character. It takes a really dirty person to make up lies on purpose to ruin a person’s reputation because you are jealous, and in Leon’s case because you can’t have the woman you want. It seems you picked the right person to piss off. I know you two can’t be stupid enough to think I would let you 2 get away with what you did. I will press charges. You will avoid me and my man at all cost. I mean you 2 look stupid but you couldn’t be stupid enough to think I would let you get away with this without pressing charges. Diane you will not talk to my man. He can’t be my man if he associates with anyone he knows doesn’t like me, and vice versus I will not associate with anyone who dislikes him, we are a team.
LEON SUCKS. 2-FACED LOSER.
This fanclub is behind Cinderella 100%. We know how it feels to be lied on. It’s only
human to be angry with Diane the stupid dyke, and Leon the fake friend. We love Cinderella and her man. We hate Diane and Leon.
Diane and Leon are losers, who listens to what losers say. They suck big time.
We love Tisha Campbell Martin and Duane Martin even though losers tried to destroy their reputations they didn’t let that happen, they fought back by putting out the truth.
I mean to try and ruin their reputations that is just lower than dirt.
This is to dumb Leon, I’m no longer in the dark. I gave you a test and you failed it. The test was I already had heard the false rumors and lies circulating about me and my man. They were started by you and your dyke friend Diane. Leon started these rumors because like every man he thinks he’s all that. He has nothing to offer but he’s all that, he doesn’t practice personal hygiene well, but he’s all that. Some men think a woman is supposed to take whatever they get. I’m gorgeous and my man is also why would I want you when I have him. Not to mention you were faking being my friend to get next to me, when you learned I didn’t like you, you and your retarded friend started lying. The test was I called you and asked if you had heard any rumors to tell me so I could get to the source and have them fired and arrested. You didn’t come clean. You are no friend of mine. You knew all along and you had something to do with it. Leon is slow and so is Diane. So when I walk by and don’t speak that would be why. I know, the secret is out.
Way to go Cinderella, that’s the way you pay back to crazy insane people. Public Humiliation.
Judah please just do CL a favor and shut the fuck up!!! I have seen comments made by you on other posts and you think you are so intelligent!!! You never have anything positive to say about negroes? and since you know so much about negroes, are you one? because if not then i really think you need to take your head out your ass. Duane and Tisha are a lovely couple and i hope God blesses the progress of thier child!!!
I like both couples and I especially like the dudes. If they together, I want in too wid my dude…lol. I’m messing y’all. Well, Marlon Wayans be showin booty y’all…
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I’m just very glad that these rumors were just that….RUMORS. It’s great to read that a celebrity couple has been married for 11 years (which is a big record by celebrity standards) and the way they seem to interact with one another, it’s really no mystery as to why they are still together. I am sorry to hear that their son has autism. However, they seem to be dealing with it/working with it very well. I’ve read about other celebrity children having autism (i.e. Holly Robinson and Toni Braxton) but I’ve never read anything about her child being autistic until now. Nevertheless, I think they match and hope that they will continue to progress positively to celebrate another 11+ years together as husband and wife.