Monifah may be one of the black community’s biggest gay stars, but despite being embraced by millions across the nation, the “R&B Divas: Atlanta” star has struggled to win the approval of her daughter, Akemi, when it comes to her sexuality. And in a new interview with Wendy Williams, Monifah discusses her daughter’s homophobia and the work they’ve done to reconcile their differences.
“My daughter is in her religion, into her Christianity and she is a 22-year-old who hasn’t experienced life yet fully. I had to just be a parent and be an example of the human being that I’d like her to be,” Monifah told Williams about her daughter’s dislike of same-sex relationships.
Despite her daughter’s disapproval, Monifah has never held back her feelings for her fiancée, Terez, and fans will watch the two tie the knot sometime this season on “R&B Divas: Atlanta.”
“It’s her personal stuff,” said Monifah. “We respect one another and we love each other through. I respect her, but she’s not the ruler.”
Monifah also discussed her time in the music business in the ’90s and explained that the R&B music scene wasn’t ready for an openly lesbian artist back then.
“I lived my life. It was a different time. I don’t think they were ready for me to say, ‘I like women and men.’” Monifah explained. “The ‘90s weren’t ready.”
The world gets to see her relationship now on “R&B Divas: Atlanta” and we may possibly see how Monifah and her daughter deal with it on the show. – nicholas robinson
