Niecy Nash Comes Out As She Reveals Surprise Marriage To Singer Jessica Betts: ‘Love Wins’

Niecy Nash just got hitched! The actress and comedian took to social media on Monday to announce that she had secretly married her longtime friend and musician, Jessica Betts.

“Love Wins”

For the big announcement, Nash shared a photo from their wedding day where the actress wore a stunning, mermaid-style lace gown and a matching floor length veil. Jessica on the other hand opted for a light mint vest, matching trousers, and an olive-hued tie. Gorgeous floral arrangements surrounded the newly married couple as they made their first walk as spouses back down the aisle.

“Mrs. Carol Denise Betts ???? @jessicabettsmusic #LoveWins???? ???? @robertector,” wrote Nash alongside the wedding snap, referencing her legal birth name. Betts also celebrated the union on her personal account with the same photo, writing, “I got a whole Wife ???????? @niecynash1 #Bettsofbothworlds #LoveWins.”

Congratulatory messages and well wishes from celebrities

Celebrity friends, including fellow actors Sarah Paulson, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and Lena Waithe left congratulatory messages for the couple in the comments.

“YASSSSSS!!!!! Bless this beautiful union!!,” wrote Halle Berry. ‘Empire’ star Taraji P. Henson wrote that she was “so happy” for Nash. “You look GORGEOUS!” Mindy Kaling wrote. “Congratulations!! So much love to you both!”

“Plot Twist”

Nash, known for her performances in the television shows “Reno 911” and “Claws,” also posted another photo to her Instagram story, captioned “#PlotTwist” with a rainbow emoji.

Plot twist indeed, because, although delightful, news of their nuptials came as a surprise to many, especially since, prior to the posts, the two were not publicly known to be a couple. It’s unclear when Niecy and Jessica first started dating. But they’ve been friends since at least 2018, when Niecy shared a photo of them hanging out on her Instagram Stories. Jessica also made a guest appearance on “Claws” in 2018.

“I’m honored and blessed in her presence”

In Fact, Jessica also sang at Niecy’s wedding to Jay Tucker back in 2011. Betts posted a video where she was singing to the star at her wedding to Tucker: ‘This woman of God, I’m honored and blessed in her presence. She’s anointed and appointed. She singin my tune.’

Though Nash has never commented on her sexuality publicly, she has shown support for the LGBTQ+ community in recent years.

Nash’s previous marriages

Nash’s nuptials to Betts marks her third marriage. She was previously married to Don Nash from 1994 to 2007. With whom she shares her three children, Dia Nash (20), Dominic Nash (35), Donielle Nash (22).

She also married Jay Tucker in 2011. Her wedding announcement comes nearly a year after Nash’s divorce filing from Tucker in December 2019. Two months after announcing they had called it quits. According to the court documents, Nash listed the couple’s date of separation as June 1, 2019, three days after their eight-year wedding anniversary.

The former couple broke the news to fans in a joint statement shared on Instagram. “We believe in the beauty of truth. Always have,” the statement read. “Our truth is that in this season of our lives, we are better friends than partners in marriage. Our union was such a gorgeous ride. And as we go our separate ways now, we feel fortunate for the love we share—present tense.” The couple continued, “Thank you all out there for your support of us as a couple over the last eight years. We are grateful.”

“There is something about knowing exactly who you are and curating a life that brings you joy every day”

In March, Nash opened up in an interview about being newly single and celebrating her 50th birthday with an empowering semi-nude photoshoot. “I was coming up on my 50th trip around the sun, and I was like, ‘We need to document this. I want to take some pictures and really cement this occasion,’ ” said Nash of opting to strip down in front of the camera.

She said the shoot served as an expression of how she is feeling these days. “I have never been better in my life. There is something about knowing exactly who you are and curating a life that brings you joy every day.”

Earlier in February this year, Nash opened up about seeking happiness in a speech at the Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards.

“The untethering from my family’s beliefs, the internet’s expectations and my marriage ending caused me so much pain. I am the most grateful because I know myself better and more fully than I ever have before,” she said. “I let my daughters watch me work through the whole (divorce), because for them, I want them to get up every single day and choose themselves.”