Article By Toni Rothson // EEW Magazine Online // Marriage

The very first time the editors of EEW Magazine Online— a publication that caters specifically to Black Christian women— published a story about Niecy Nash was seven years ago.

At the time, the actress, who openly professes Christianity, was starring in a scripted TV Land comedy series, “The Soul Man,” which ran for five seasons. On the hit sitcom that ended in 2016, Nash, 50, played a preacher’s wife and salon owner, Lolli Ballentine, alongside her co-star Cedric the Entertainer who portrayed the R&B singer turned pastor, Reverend Boyce “The Voice” Ballentine.

Nash was a natural fit and drew big laughs while gaining loyalty from a sizeable Black, faith-based audience— though the show stirred some controversy and was at times called irreverent and sacrilegious. But that’s pretty much standard fare whenever an edgy depiction of religious culture gets widespread attention.

As “The Soul Man” progressed in ratings, in a 2013 interview with Pastor Touré Roberts, the onscreen pastor’s wife made a smart move. She came out about her past as a real-life first lady of a church, further endearing herself to the Black faith-based audience that was already warming up to her thanks to her church lady gig. Though Nash revealed in the interview that her marriage to the pastor was unsuccessful, and her divorce ended her run as first lady, she assured the audience that her relationship with Christ was ongoing. She was so serious about her faith, in fact, she said she rejected acting jobs that compromised her Christian convictions.

Fast forward seven years later, less than a year after announcing her split from her second husband, Nash totally shocked conservative Christian fans by posting a photo of her wedding to a woman. Now, it’s no secret that the Black church has a complicated history with the LGBTQ+ community, and Nash coming out is deemed controversial. Let’s be honest. The post blindsided and confused some religious supporters, particularly members of the Black church that believe marriage is sacred and should be between a man and a woman.

Commentary about Nash’s new relationship can be read in comment sections across the Internet that feature varying opinions. Some celebrate Nash’s happiness, while others blame her same-sex union on demonic possession, abandonment of her faith, emotional damage, or even lack of authentic Christian convictions.

Such reactions are to be expected.

In a now viral social media post shared Monday, Aug. 31, the “Claws” star introduced her new wife, Jessica Betts, captioning their wedding photo, "Mrs. Carol Denise Betts” – using her legal name Carol Denise, though she is known as Niecy Nash.

In the photo, the newlywed wife, who announced in October 2019 that her once blissful eight-year union to Jay Tucker had sadly ended, is adorned in a form-fitting, strapless, white wedding gown with a sweetheart neckline, smiling and holding hands with Betts.

Before uploading the gay marriage announcement with the hashtag #LoveWins, Nash, who just finalized her divorce to Tucker in March, had never publicly revealed that she was dating Betts or that she was same-sex attracted. During her soul-baring interview in 2013, she neither supported nor condemned homosexuality and has long been supportive of LGBTQ+ causes.

Though true fans are aware that Betts and Nash have known each other for a while (Betts made a guest appearance in a 2018 episode of “Claws” and sang at Nash’s 2011 wedding to Tucker in Malibu.), the two “knowing each other” in the biblical sense felt out of the blue and unexpected.

So how will this latest move impact Nash’s fan base? That remains to be seen. In 2012, coming out openly about her faith helped Nash gain major support from the church. In 2020, coming out about her sexuality could lose her major support from the church, at least among some.

But Christians are not a monolith, and some are genuinely happy for Nash and accepting of the gay community. Love it or hate it, this sister of faith is out and proud.