Black Celebs Who Have Been Open About Their Celibacy Journeys and Why

Celebrities being open about their wellness journeys isn’t a new concept. But what you don’t see too often is them opening up about their sex life—or rather, their celibacy journey.

But as society continues to evolve, more and more are beginning to be transparent about their decision to not partake in sexual activity—at least for a little while. The latest to speak their peace is none other than “Power” producer Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson who recently revealed his vow of celibacy in a new interview with Stephen Colbert on “The Late Show.”

“Listen, when you calm down you can focus,” he said, before later adding of marriage: “I’m safe. I’m not a happy hostage. I’m here. I’m free. I made some mistakes, just not that one.”

So it’s in that vein that we felt it might be fun to take a look at other celebs who’ve made the vow to be celibate for a little and a long time.

In an interview on the “Zach Sang Show” podcast, rapper NLE Choppa revealed that he was currently celibate (though he’s been off-and-on with it for the last few years. He also shared that he’d been practicing semen retention in order to keep himself clear in the head.

“I would say I’m celibate. I’m not giving my energy to everybody, like, you feel me,” he said. “I whack the willy, but I don’t cum though. I semen retent, so like before I cum I pull it back.”

Back in 2022, the “Slut Me Out 2" rapper shared more about his celibacy, writing in a tweet at the time:

“It’s important for men to go celibate. When the genitals act as if it has a mine of its own that’s a problem. You must be able to have self control over your second head. That’s true discipline.”

During a recent interview on the “Know Thyself” podcast, singer Omarion shared his two cents about why he decided to be celibate during the height of his career years ago:

“That was an interesting time. I kinda took it on as a challenge. When I decided to become celibate, it was because I was really just searching for something more for myself. At the time, I was practicing Christianity. I was really studying my Bible and ultimately it wasn’t for me, but it allowed me to kinda step out of this world and have the responsibility of being a sex symbol and a young adult.

He added: ““In hindsight, it was preparing me for my contribution to music, me being integral in my words and what I’m saying — not having to live a double life.”

Speaking with Angela Yee for her “Way Up” podcast, singer Mya told the host last month that she’d been celibate for the last seven years. Explaining how it simply wasn’t a focus for her, she shared:

Just doing without, it shifted my mindset. It was no longer a focus. The rush to be in a relationship, the rush to be married, the rush to be in something because that’s what you’re taught to do — to have kids or procreate. And I think there’s a lot of pressure on women to be able to do that.

She later added, “I think it’s something that was necessary because it’s a very spiritual thing. And you must be very selective if you want better results. That self-accountability started with me by shutting that part of my life off.”

While Nick Cannon may be the father to 50-leven hundred kids, he’s been open previously about taking some time to refrain from sex and going celibate, telling Drink Champs podcast hosts N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN back in October 2021:

“I’m chilling out. I’m kinda stepping away, getting focused, going within, getting my celibacy on...I’m gonna see if I can make it to 2022.”

(Spoiler alert: he welcomed his eighth child just nine months later.)

At the top of 2024, rapper GloRilla opened up about being celibate for the first 90 days of the year. Just nine days in, she comically gave fans an update, writing in a tweet at the time: “Started my 90 day celibacy lil shit for new year’s or wtv, I’m on da 9th day & my vision blurry af !!!!! Send help”

Following the release of memoir, “I Curse You With Joy,” in May, Tiffany Haddish revealed that in addition to giving up alcohol in the six months leading up ton the book’s release—she also decided to give up sex.

“With alcohol [my mind] would just be like ‘You’re horny, let’s just do it,’” she told The Root.Now that she’s given up the substance, she’s been able to say no to just engaging in sex due to being under the influence.

Later that month, expounded on her decision on the “On Purpose with Jay Shetty” podcast, saying: “I think when you lay down with somebody, you are sharing your soul. You are sharing a piece of yourself, you’re giving a little piece of yourself up. I only got so much soul left and I don’t wanna necessarily just give it over to anybody.”

“Insecure” star and comedian Yvonne Orji may be one of the most vocal celebs to speak out about celibacy and the fact that she’s saving herself until marriage.

In an interview with comedian Chelsea Handler for her “Dear Chelsea” podcast, she told the fellow comedian that she was still going strong in her vow. She did, however, joke that whoever her fututure husband is—he’d have to deal with a lot of pent up sexual energy when they finally get together.

“Pray for him, whoever he is,” she joke. “There’s a lot of pent-up energy up in here with me.”

In news that came as a surprise to women everywhere, Lenny Kravitz shocked his fans back in May when he revealed that he’d been celibate for the last nine years explaining that it was a “a spiritual thing.”

On “The TMZ Podcast,” R&B singer Craig David shared back in May that he’d been celibate for the last two years. He credits that decision to his desire to heal his own issues first and explained that celibacy has been beneficial to his creativity.

“’I know to the date, It’s been two years now for me [without sex]. But funnily, much as I was like ‘Wow!’ to myself for the moment, [my] creativity has been on a 100, on a max, for those two years,” he said.

Arguably one of the hottest couples in Hollywood, Ciara and NFL star Russell Wilson made headlines when they revealed they were abstaining from sex before tying the knot back in 2016.

“I have to give credit to my husband for sharing those views. It’s awesome how it all worked out,” she told Cosmopolitan Mag at the time. “I really believe that when you focus on a friendship, you have the opportunity to build a strong foundation for a relationship—and once you know you’re really great friends and you’re what we call ‘equally yoked,’ where you share the same values or the same outlook on life, it kind of sets the tone,

Yet another famous couple that decided to abstain from sex before getting married, Hollywood exec DeVon Franklin and actress Meagan Good hopped on the “Tamron Hall Show” seven years after they tied the not to praise their decision and to encourage other couples to do the same. They even penned a joint book going into more detail about their journey called, “The Wait: A Powerful Practice for Finding the love of Your Life and the Life You Love.”

The two would later divorce in 2021.