Abbott Elementary star Sheryl Lee Ralph is going viral over her unusual remarks about marriage in a recent interview.
For comparison, 69-year-old Sheryl has been married to Pennsylvania State Senator Vincent Hughes since July 2005.
She was married to French businessman Eric Maurice from 1990 to 2001, and they have two adult children together.
Sheryl revealed that she and Vincent never lived together during their almost two decades of marriage in an interview with People earlier this month.
In fact, Sheryl says that their relationship has flourished because of how they have kept their respective lives separate, both in work and in life.
The star noted that this would have been “very difficult” had they had children together, but it was no issue with her and Vincent’s lifestyles.
“You fall in love with somebody, and then you realize, he’s not leaving his career. He is not leaving Philadelphia. I’m not leaving Hollywood,” she said.
“It worked out amazingly well, every two weeks we saw each other, and it has continued to work out well,” Sheryl further explained. “I go see him, I love to see him. When it’s time to leave, ‘Bye-bye. See you soon.’ I am telling you posted, life is good, man.
“He has his own life. I have MY own life,” Sheryl added. “He has his own actual career, I have my own actual career. He has his light to occupy, I have my light to occupy. He is not concerned with status or this or that when he looks at me. He’s doing his thing. I get to do my thing.”
And Sheryl was quick to add that this nontraditional approach to marriage is nothing to snicker about, noting that she and Vincent are about to celebrate 20 (20!) years together, while “some people can’t even get through two.”
Because Sheryl believes that their relationship has flourished in part because they have led their separate lives — professionally and personally.
The star said this would have been “very difficult” if they’d had children together but did not present an issue with her and Vincent’s lifestyles.
“You get involved with somebody, and you say, ‘Well, he’s not leaving his career. He’s not going anywhere in Philadelphia. I’m not going away from Hollywood,” she said.
Vincent Hughes and Sheryl Lee Ralph in formal attire attend an event. Vincent is dressed in a tuxedo, while Sheryl wears a sleeveless gown with ruffles along the neckline
Kevin Winter / Getty Images
“We saw each other every two weeks, and it has worked out well,” Sheryl said. “It is for me very nice when I go to see him. When it’s time to leave, ‘Bye-bye. See you soon.’ I’m telling you, life is good.”
“He has his own life. “I have a life of my own,” Sheryl continued. “He has his own real career, I have my own real career. He has his spotlight to walk in, I have my spotlight to walk in. He is not looking at me and thinking about status or this or that. He’s doing his thing. I get to do my thing.”
And Sheryl was quick to note that there is nothing to be critical of about this nontraditional approach to marriage, pointing out she and Vincent are about to celebrate 20 years together — while “some people can’t even get through two.”
X account Pop Crave shared Sheryl’s quotes on Tuesday and it wasn’t long before other users offered up their thoughts.
of Sheryl Lee Ralph, who appeared on the red carpet in a shiny, elegant coat with sleek styling
Olivia Wong / WireImage
Others were not on board, with one popular response saying: “Marriage is meant to be a union and everything that comes with it which includes living under the same roof. “Please do not glamourize this and call this a standard in marriage.”
But even some of those who were skeptical found Sheryl and Vincent’s take on marriage pretty genius, with one user noting: “i’m sorry but the ideal marriage for me is two individuals living completely separate and fulfilling lives but still coming together to maximize their joint slay.”
Another added: “I was thinking separate rooms for me and my future husband but SEPARATE HOUSES?!” she’s 85 steps ahead of me and moving.” Another added: “This is honestly the only situation where I would even consider marriage.”
Another added: “The nuclear family model has really warped how we view healthy relationships and if folks in love know that living together isn’t right for them and want to keep living spaces separate, then they should do what’s best for them!”
Someone else commented, “I love the way they let each other be. The average person in a relationship is so codependent that they couldn’t even imagine this. Good for Sheryl Lee Ralph and her husband. Find the marriage model that suits you!”
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