Alex Sykes and Wanda Sykes. | Source: Getty Images
When Wanda Sykes finally came out about being a member of the queer community, she shocked most of her fans and loved ones. Wanda Sykes' family took time to accept that she was living her truth.
Wanda grew up battling thoughts about her sexuality and how to share with her family who she really was. But for many years, she was sure they were "not going to be cool" with it. Best known for her killer jokes, the stand-up comedian finally found the courage to open up to her family members about her sexuality.
The comedian stated that even though the response she got from her parents wasn't positive then, she practiced a lot of patience and slowly became more comfortable and confident with herself.
Wanda Sykes at SLS Hotel on December 03, 2019, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
With time, her parents and some of her other family members learned to accept and embrace her sexuality. The comedian stated that it took time for her family to embrace her. She said:
"I thought my family’s not going to be cool with this. Everything’s great now, but it took a long time for us to get there. I had to practice a lot of patience."
Wanda is now happily married to her wife, and they share two children, but before going public about her sexuality in 2008, she was previously married to a man.
Wanda Sykes at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on October 7, 2017, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
Alex Was Just What Wanda Needed
Wanda is married to Alex Sykes, who originates from France. As reported by The Guardian, Wanda's first time to spot Alex was on a ferry ride to the NewYork gay resort, Fire Island. The comedian immediately felt a connection when she saw Alex.
She noticed the nitty-gritty of Alex's laptop bag, including the logo, and was instantly attracted to her. Wanda stated that at that point, she realized that Alex was everything she ever needed.
Alex Sykes and comedian Wanda Sykes at Regency Village Theatre on May 10, 2017, in Westwood, California. | Source: Getty Images
The 58-year-old, single at the time but ready to mingle, recalled how a friend had advised her that if she wanted to attract a serious relationship, she had to quit telling boring kitchen remodeling stories to strangers and instead begin flirting.
Luckily, Wanda didn't follow the advice; she told the next person she met about her kitchen remodel plans, who coincidentally introduced her to Alex—the french lady from the ferry. Interestingly, Alex happened to be selling granite countertops. The rest is history, as the couple has been married for 14 years and still counting.
Wanda Sykes and her wife Alex Syke at the The Wallis Annenberg Center in Beverly Hills, California on March 27, 2022. | Source: Getty Images
Wanda's Ex-husband Is a Grammy Nominee
Wanda went public about her sexuality when she turned 44. Before that, she was previously married to producer Dave Hall in 1991, but the duo called it quits in 1998. Wanda reflected on going through a hard time when she and Hall separated.
She felt devastated and broken, as if her life had reached a standstill. She recalled attending a comedy club and performing her normal stand-up routine on stage. She would then include topics about her marriage and how she felt alone for the five years she'd been married.
Wanda said it took her time to process that her marriage had fallen apart, even though she called the union a bad relationship that she desperately wanted to escape.
Besides Wanda's former husband Hall being a producer, he's also a Grammy nominee. He has produced hit songs for some renowned singers, including Mariah Carey, Madonna, and Mary J. Blige.
Wanda Sykes' family origin has been researched for centuries. But in an episode of the TV show "Finding Your Roots," she discovered some facts about her lineage.
In 2008, ten years after divorcing Hall, Wanda publicly declared that she was gay during a rally supporting same-sex marriage. Wanda once disclosed that she knew she was gay at a young age but decided to be a straight kid after realizing that her conservative, religious family wouldn't have embraced her at that time.
Wanda's Wife Gave Birth to Twins
In April 2009, Wanda Sykes and her wife welcomed their twins: daughter Olivia Lou and son Lucas Claude. The couple announced the news via Wanda's representative.
Wanda once admitted that she wasn't sure about having kids, but once her babies were born, she stated that it was the best decision she's ever made. In 2019, Wanda told Ellen DeGeneres that she was happy to become a mother.
She also opened up to Vulture in 2016 about her experience as a first-time parent with newborns. Wanda admitted that the most challenging part was not getting enough sleep since her babies needed a lot of attention.
Wanda Sykes' Parents Were Deeply Religious
Wanda's parents worked in the corporate world; her mom was a banker, while her dad was a former US army colonel. Wanda disclosed that when she was young, her mouth would always put her in trouble.
Whenever her parents would have guests over, they would send her to her grandmother's house to avoid her embarrassing them. Wanda's parents were highly religious, and when she publicly came out about being gay, it was a huge blow to their faces.
The Emmy Award winner stated that her mother was devasted and didn't even attend her wedding. But with time, Wanda's parents learned to embrace her and her family.
Wanda Sykes' family origin has been researched for centuries. But in an episode of the TV show "Finding Your Roots," she discovered some facts about her lineage. She learned that her ninth great-grandmother was a white woman flogged 39 times in 1683 for having a child with a slave.
For that reason, one part of her family has always been black and free, dating back almost two centuries before the American civil war. Besides Wanda being a renowned comedienne, her brother also has a great sense of humor.
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