Actress and comedian Niecy Nash stunned fans in December 2019, when she filed for divorce
from her husband of eight years, electrical engineer Jay Tucker. It's hard not to wonder
how this seemingly happy marriage fell apart. Here are some of the reasons why Nash and
Tucker called it quits.
Following their October 2019 breakup announcement, rumors began to swirl about what could have
caused Nash's split from Tucker. At the time, the Daily Mail reported that the union had
actually been troubled for a couple years. A source quoted by the publication claimed
that the reasons for their alleged issues involved a, quote, "full-body cosmetic surgery
makeover" the actress underwent, her steamy love scenes on the show Claws, and the fact
that the couple lived in separate cities. Nash was living in New Orleans while filming
the series, while Tucker stayed behind in Los Angeles.
Reportedly unhappy with the situation and uncomfortable with Nash's graphic love scenes,
Tucker noticeably skipped the series' premiere in 2017. This marked the start of a new trend,
with Nash and Tucker being seen in public together much less than they had been in the
earlier years of their relationship, including Tucker's absence when Nash was nominated for
an Emmy for her performance in the critically-acclaimed limited series, When They See Us, in September
2019.
Around the same time, Nash's Instagram feed seemed to change, shifting from romantic pics
of the couple together, to a mix of selfies, inspirational quotes, and snaps of her girlfriends.
While speaking at the Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards Luncheon in February 2020,
Nash spoke out about her divorce, according to People. The decision to leave her husband
was one that the actress clearly agonized over, especially since so many people, including
her family, thought she and Tucker were the perfect match. Nash explained,
"The untethering from my family's beliefs, the internet's expectations and my marriage
ending caused me so much pain."
Nash went on to reveal that she began questioning her marriage when her friend Oprah Winfrey
asked,
"Who are you without a man?"
Nash admitted she didn't know the answer, and that inspired her to investigate the strength
of her relationship, as well as her beliefs around marriage in general. She said,
"There was a huge myth that I inherited from the women in my family specifically, which
is, 'You are nothing without a man. Get one, keep one, no matter what. Blind, crippled,
crazy, married or lazy. Get one baby girl because they will validate you.' This long
line of women that I come from had never been taught what choosing themselves looks like."
Nash ultimately chose herself.
"I gotta take care of myself right now."
During that same speech at Essence's Black Women in Hollywood Awards, Nash became emotional
when she tearfully opened up about her decision to end her marriage. According to Page Six,
she said,
"Pain is putting things in necessary order. You've got to acknowledge how you feel. Trust
that it is so much easier to walk in your shoes than it is run towards a lie."
Thankfully, Nash has since come out the other side as a happier single woman. She continued,
"I am the most grateful because I now know myself much better than before. I let my daughters
watch me walk through the whole thing. Because I want them to get up every single day and
choose themselves. I realize I did right when my daughter said to me, 'I am so proud of
you, and I want to be just like you when I grow up.'"
Speaking passionately to her audience, Nash added,
"You've got to own the part you play. I encourage you to walk in your truth, live your trauma
and live your best damn life."
Despite the pain their divorce has undoubtedly caused them both, Nash and Tucker have worked
to maintain their deep friendship and remain close. Speaking with Entertainment Tonight
in November 2019, the actress explained,
"For us, it's easy, because we love each other. The love has just taken on a different form,
but [he's] always gonna be my friend. Always."
As of early 2020, neither party is reported to be dating again, and at the time of her
interview, Nash revealed she simply wasn't ready yet, saying,
"I'm just over here drinking my water and healing. I ain't ready to put all this back
on the block. It's too much too soon."
She went on to say she believed that exes could work together after breaking up, but
added,
"I mean, you got to have the temperament for it. And if you're in a new relationship, you
just got to hope that those people are not, you know, leery, that that spark may come
back."
Nash, who turned 50 in 2020, has had an incredibly successful career. While giving an in-depth
interview to Backstage about her journey as an actress the previous summer, the website
reported,
"After being cast in nearly 80 projects, Nash has gone from supporting and recurring parts
on [TV] to hosting the Emmy-winning home makeover show Clean House and [...] to leading a critically
acclaimed crime dramedy. All in all, Nash has successfully wormed her way out of the
comedic pigeonhole Hollywood had assigned her."
With her divorce finalized in March 2020, TMZ reports that things between Nash and Tucker
seem to have remained cordial. As for what her career trajectory and personal journey
have looked like so far in her post-divorce life, Nash told People,
"I did my work. I put my life back together piece by piece."
With popular TV series and movies to film, supportive friends, and an amicable ex, we're
sure Nash will be just fine in this new chapter of her life.
"Can you even coin black girl magic? I think not."
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