Niecy Nash is excited for a new chapter in her love life! In a recent interview with People, the 50-year-old Claws star opened up about her romance with 41-year-old musician Jessica Betts [1], whom she married in a surprise wedding on Aug. 29 [2]. "[My marriage] has absolutely nothing to do with gender and it has everything to do with her soul," Niecy told the outlet. "She is the most beautiful soul I have ever met in my life."
She noted that her wedding announcement was more about celebrating her relationship and less about her sexuality. "I was not suppressing my sexuality my whole life," she added. "I love who I love. At one point in my life, I married twice and I love those people. And today I love this person. I've done everything I wanted to do on my own terms and my own way. So my choice now in a partner has nothing to do with who I've always been. It's a matter of who I am in this moment. I don't feel like my marriage is my coming out of anywhere, but rather a going into myself and being honest about who I love. And I'm not limiting myself on what that love is supposed to look like." Shortly after the wedding, the duo took a mini honeymoon to Santa Barbara, CA. "I've got my feet up, I'm looking at the ocean, and I've got the greatest love of my life in my peripheral. I couldn't be happier," Niecy recalled about the getaway.
Niecy first connected with Jessica on social media in 2015, back when the actress was "happily married" to her ex-husband Jay Tucker. Jessica also made a guest appearance on Claws in 2018 [4]. "[Jessica] and I were friends, but I never saw her as someone I would date," Niecy said. However, when she and Jay announced their split last October, she started to see Jessica in a different light. "I loved her before I was in love with her because she is such a special human being," she continued. "But we began to see each other in a way we never had before. Sometimes you get so broken by love, you run from it. But I've learned that you should always hold space for magic because it can happen at any time."
The pair announced their union on their respective Instagram accounts on Aug. 31. "Mrs. Carol Denise Betts 💍 @jessicabettsmusic #LoveWins🌈 📸 @robertector," Neicy captioned a photo from their big day. Jessica shared the same picture, writing, "I got a whole Wife 👽💍 @niecynash1 #Bettsofbothworlds #LoveWins." The couple has since shared additional Instagram snaps from the wedding, including a video of their reception [5].
Niecy was previously married to TV producer Don Nash from 1994 to 2007, and they share three kids together: Dia, Donielle, and Dominic. She was also married to Jay from 2011 to 2019.