Nationwide — Since 2006, actress and former talk show host Mo’Nique has been very open to the public about her open marriage with husband Sidney Hicks. But she says that there are still some misconceptions circulating about their relationship, and she wants people to know that the whole thing was her idea.
During a recent recording of the “Monique and Sidney Open Relationship” podcast show, Mo’Nique says:
When you pull it up, and you [look] up celebrities in open marriage and you see Will and Jada, whoever the person is the author of that article they say well we can understand why they would be in a open marriage they’re both beautiful people. When they start talking about Brad and Angelina, they said, ‘Well we can understand—they’re both beautiful people.
“The moment it got to my picture with my husband they said, ‘Oh, we hope Mo’Nique not gon’ let him just use her like that, because society looks at me and they see a woman that looks like [she] couldn’t possibly have a man that looks like that if there was not something else involved in it…she’s gonna let this man do anything he wants to do because she’s famous and she has money and now she can have whatever she wants, but she’s gonna let the man use her and abuse her.”
The show, hosted on PlayIt.com, has the name “Open Relationship” as a play on words referring to Mo’Nique’s announcement to publications that she and her husband of close to 10 years, Sidney Hicks, have an Open Relationship. Though the real intent behind her statement refers to their long history together, their Open-Minded Relationship simply means that something like an extra-marital affair wouldn’t be a deal breaker to their marriage.
According to the show’s profile, they build upon their public discussions surrounding this concept to explore the openness and communication that is necessary for us all to have better relationships with others, in anything including Open Relationships, Falling in Love, Discussing Sex with Our Children, and everything in between. As Mo’Nique & Sidney would say, “The mind is like a parachute; it’s no good unless it’s open.”
What others are saying on social media:
“If you know you’re not ready to settle down and stick with one person don’t get married. You don’t even need to get married for you to have a open relationship! You can do that with out getting married!” — R. Chargois
“When ones’ self worth is steeped in low esteem, compromise is usually the choice in life no matter what the venue. No REAL woman chooses to be in a non commital marriage.” — M. Greene
“So its ok for you or your husband to commit adultery. What about STD’s, what about the pillow talks and trust between to people. Monique go sit down. You don’t really know what love is because if you did , you wouldn’t want nobody with your man.” — C. Jackson