Mo’Nique is an icon in the comedy world. From being a Queen of Comedy to starring in popular films like Soul Plane, Barbershop, and Precious (for which she won an Oscar), she’s a fixture in the entertainment industry. While Mo’Nique’s name isn’t without professional controversies, she’s had an interesting love life.
Mo’Nique has been married three times and often credits her current husband, Sidney Hicks, as a guiding force in her life. She frequently mentions him in interviews and in her comedy specials. But before doing a deep dive into her current marriage, let’s look at her previous loves before digging more into her relationship with Sidney Hicks.
Mo’Nique and Sidney’s Love Life Before Marriage
Although Mo’Nique and Sidney were friends long before they tied the knot, Mo’Nique had previous marriages which also resulted in a child. She first married sportswriter Calvin Watkins, a man she met while enrolled in broadcasting school. The two had a son Shalon Watkins, Jr. in 1990.
However, Mo’Nique has gone on record saying that this relationship was tumultuous and that her husband was abusive. Eventually the two parted ways in the mid-nineties and divorced shortly after. By 1997, Mo’Nique married Mark Jackson, a professional barber. The two were together for four years, ultimately divorcing in 2001.
Likewise, during this same time period Sidney also had a long term relationship and later had a child as well. Yet through it all, Mo’Nique and Sidney were close friends.
Aside from his past relationship that made him a dad, little is publicly known about Sidney Hicks’ life before marrying Mo’Nique. He’s originally from Baltimore, Maryland and has been in Hollywood circles for nearly as long as Mo’Nique. He was an actor before marriage, having appeared on shows like The Parkers in 2000.
From Friends to Lovers
Long before Sidney Hicks became Mo’Nique’s other half, he was a longtime friend. The two met when they were both just 14 years old. The two met during their sophomore year of high school when they were enrolled in Randallstown High School.
As adults, the two remained close, but it was not until after Mo’Nique’s second marriage ended and Sidney’s long term relationship came to a close that the two decided to become roommates. They then discovered that there was more than friendship between them. The two have been inseparable since.
Marriage and Management
In 2005, the two welcomed twins Jonathan and David Hicks who arrived early — nearly two months before the predicted due date. In 2006, Mo’Nique and Sidney made it official, and got married.
Since then, Hicks has been not just her romantic partner and confidant, but her manager. Mo’Nique credits Hicks for much of the success she’s achieved since the two walked down the aisle. This includes her Oscar win for Best Supporting Actress in the 2009 movie Precious, and snagging a BAFTA and Golden Globe Award for her role as well.
Later on, she earned a Primetime Emmy nomination for the 2015 HBO movie, Bessie starring alongside Queen Latifah. Mo’Nique sings his praises as the best manager she’s ever had. Along with being her manager, Sidney also serves as an executive producer. He’s credited as such on a variety of movies and shows including Blackbird, Mo’Nique & Friends: Live From Atlanta and The Reading.
Opening and Closing Their Marriage
Beyond having a husband who’s also a manager, the couple is probably most notable for being transparent about their previously open marriage. Not long after tying the knot, the pair went on record with Essence, sharing that they enjoyed an open marriage.
In 2016, she told The New York Times that the arrangement was her idea, stating “I wanted to continue to see the gentlemen that I was seeing, and I felt comfortable telling my best friend.” However, by 2023, Mo’Nique announced that this chapter of her life was over, and the two were no longer supporting an open marriage. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, she shared that she “grew out of” wanting that. “Life began to happen. I began to see a strength I had never seen before. He loved me at my worst. I didn’t want to sacrifice that just for a lay.”
The Duo Do Everything Together
Unsurprisingly for people familiar with this Hollywood couple, it’s rare to see Mo’Nique in a professional capacity without her husband and manager with her. Sidney Hicks routinely sits in on interviews, and even co-hosted a podcast with his wife. These days, the pair enjoy spending time together when Mo’Nique isn’t shooting for Black Mafia Family (BMF).