This week, there’s been a scandal brewing about Nicole Murphy (ex-wife of Eddie Murphy) and director Antoine Fuqua. They were photographed in Italy together, looking romantic and coupled-up. There were photos of them kissing, in different positions, etc. It wasn’t just a brief kiss hello. It was full-on making out. You can see some of the photos here:
Antoine Fuqua seen kissing model Nicole Murphy while married to Lela Rochon https://t.co/pQHDep5YKx pic.twitter.com/WlYvqwge9x
— Page Six (@PageSix) July 23, 2019
So why the scandal? It’s because Antonine Fuqua is still very much a married man. He’s been married to Lela Rochon since 1999! They’re not divorced. They could be separated, although there were out together earlier this year. So when these photos got published by the Daily Mail and a handful of other outlets, Nicole Murphy took the brunt of the criticism, almost like Fuqua’s involvement was utterly ignored (he’s the married one, jeez). First Nicole tried to claim that the kissing photos were just because they were “family friends” exchanging hellos. Then her story changed:
Eddie Murphy’s ex-wife, Nicole Murphy, is now clarifying and apologizing for locking lips with a very married man. Nicole was spotted kissing director Antoine Fuqua over the weekend while vacationing in Italy, and was photographed doing so on at least two occasions. They were definitely getting cozy and appeared to be interacting romantically.
Nicole initially said they were just “family friends” and had simply exchanged a “friendly hello.” She has another version now, telling TMZ … “Without going into the entire situation, I want to apologize to my family, and to Lela and the Fuqua family for what transpired. It was not my intention to be in this situation. I do not condone women kissing or interacting in anyway inappropriately with a married man. I too was once married and I would never intentionally undermine another woman, despite what has been written.”
As for why Nicole kissed Fuqua, who’s been married to actress Lela Rochon since 1999 … we’re told she thought the status of their relationship was … over. Sources tell us, Nicole was under the impression that Antoine was divorced, and that’s why she engaged with him the way she did. We’re told she feels terrible about this and hopes folks can forgive her for the mistake. It’s unclear if Nicole was told by Antoine that he was single — we’re working on getting clarification for that. As for Antoine, we’ve reached out to his camp … so far, no word back.
I understand why this is all so scandalous and gossip-worthy, but I feel like people aren’t asking one of the really obvious questions: why were Antoine Fuqua and Nicole Murphy in Italy together in the first place? They both live in LA, they likely knew each other from around (mutual friends, etc), so how did they even end up in Italy, making out? Was a planned-out affair? Did Nicole really think that Fuqua left his wife for her? I wonder.
As for the whole “I do not condone women kissing or interacting in anyway inappropriately with a married man. I too was once married and I would never intentionally undermine another woman” thing, apparently Nicole Murphy has a reputation as a serial homewrecker. LisaRaye McCoy went to TMZ and said that Nicole was the “other woman” in her marriage too, and that Nicole was screwing around with her then-husband Michael Misick circa 2006-08.
Photos courtesy of Backgrid.
This is such a plant for attention, unless anyone believes a paparazzi was both following these C-listers and basically standing five feet away?
Antoine Fuqua is an Academy award nominated director. Definitely NOT C-list.
Just because you don’t know who someone is doesn’t mean they are C-List. Antoine Fuqua directed The Equalizer films and Training Day and is Academy Award nominated. He is HARDLY C-list.
C-list director? No, definitely not.
C-list celebrity though? Yeah I kind of agree there. I know his name, but I wouldn’t recognize him in an unlabelled photo.
That may be about to change though…he seems messy. 😬
That’s semantics. You wouldn’t know MOST directors if you saw a photo of them. Because most directors aren’t celebrities. But you would certainly recognize their names. So again – not C-list.
Can’t believe he hasnt Won an Oscar when I looked at his back catalogue on IMDB. I’ve seen 4 of his movies.
Could been snapped by a non-paparazzi and sent to a tabloid/magazine/gossip site, etc. …and the person picks up some cash for the snaps.
this
Eh, it takes two to tango. Are we seeing headlines saying “Married man Antoine Fuqua seen kissing single woman”? Has he issued any kind of apology or explanation?
Neither should be kissing a “friend” in that manner. They’re both on the wrong but as usual then man doesn’t feel the need to explain or apologize.
Because Nicole is known as Eddie Murphy’s ex-wife. They had so many kids and they took them to every movie opening in the 2000s, and she always appeared in family photos next to him. Lela Rochon seems invested in her marriage to me because she deleted her social media, and to me that looks like she is really hurt. This looks like an affair, but blogs are saying that Fuqua has a rep for having side chicks, and some report an open relationship, but this doesn’t look like Lela was ok with this. Nicole Murphy is single, and men follow her like puppies. He’s the one who got caught out there. Even if she knew, this is public now, and Lela can’t handle it privately like the other times. Because they got busted by what looks like someone else at the pool. This may force Lela Rochon’s hand.
She’s gross and he’s gross. And I have to say there is some kind of chip missing in women who constantly go after married men or men in relationships. I feel sorry for Lela Rochon. This has to be so devastating and to have it happen on such a public scale. I hope she dumps his *ss. And then Nicole will lose interest because he’s no longer forbidden fruit and will move on to the next mark.
well said.
I agree with you 100%.
Pretty messy. I wonder why Lela and fuqua haven’t said anything yet. If they really are separated I assume one of them would have said something by now. Looks like it’s an affair.
I liked her statement until I saw that she’s being accused of being the OW before. I’d call it a Miranda Lambert situation except ML is completely unapologetic.
Nicole should have just kept her mouth closed. Also, Antoine Fuqua is a jerk for embarrassing his wife and children this way. Lela Rochon is sweet woman and devoted wife and mother. She had to shut down her Instagram account due to all the teasing and bullying she received when those photos were released.
They are both serial cheaters. I’m pretty sure rumors have him cheating immediately after his wedding. And Nicole has been the other woman Mul.Ti.Ple. times. Same story different partners. I hope Lela respects herself enough to do whatever she needs to do in this situation. She’s still so pretty and seems sweet.
Cheaters suck. I think it should be against the law.
It shouldn’t be criminal but a tort and qualify the cheated on spouse for a pain and suffering payment in the divorce settlement.
I like that.
Those are absolutely insane ideas. You two might want to contemplate the ramifications of this.
Serial cheaters tend to be assholes in general, so sorry if I don’t care they face consequences beyond “karma” for being lying liars that lie. You can’t keep it in your pants and don’t want a costly divorce, don’t get married. Super simple.
Am I advocating stoning or jail obviously not and, yeah, I know there are be people who manipulate the legal system to create havoc and, yeah, I know it’s not realistic, but, as someone who has been cheated on by a lying liar and it doesn’t matter one whit as far as our divorce because he has no shame and is a lying liar, it feels really good to fantasize for a minute about a world where he would be held accountable for the pain and suffering he’s caused.
Best thing I’ve heard!
Everything Ali said!! I’ve been cheated on and also been lied to by men who are “separated” and I think they are disgusting liars who lie as well.
I know it’s not realistic but adultery use to be illegal anyways AND it causes significant pain and suffering on people.
My personal belief (you don’t have to agree) is that cheating is emotional abuse.
I wish it was illegal – maybe people would think twice before inflicting pain and suffering on those they are in intimate relationships with!
Yeah, sure, go back to the times when there was a legally guilty party in a divorce. That worked well in the past… These are insane revenge ideas.
This is a horrifyingly bad idea. Think of the ramifications… and no, it will not stop anyone from cheating, that’s insane. You are advocating for something crazy that could so easily be abused, all because someone hurt you and you’re not over it yet?
You don’t get to sue people for getting your feelings hurt. You learn from it and move on. Like an adult.
Hurt feelings? This isn’t high school drama. Married adults have assets, children, fiduciary and moral responsibilities toward one another.
Revenge fantasy is that his wee willy never rises to another occasion.
Monetary compensation is a completely legal recourse. The terms of our marriage contract included not fucking other women and he breached the fuck out of our contract.
Do you know how much of our community property he spent on other women? Me neither because he’s a lying liar that lies but I sure would like my share back. I’d like compensation for all the nights I stayed home with the kids while he “worked late”. I’d like compensation for all the health risks he exposed me to. I’d like compensation for the wasted years I could have spent finding someone to share my life with who didn’t get off on lying to my face. That is my just compensation fantasy.
Hurt feelings, lol.
I know this is probably an off-hand comment made in light of the hurt, humiliation, and pain that is caused by someone cheating in a relationship. However, this idea is preposterous — the number of men who would use a law like this to punish a woman who can’t or has not yet left an abusive relationship, or who would stretch or fabricate situations is scary to think about.
Again, I know that fantasizing can be fun, but…
Fuqua was is Italy to accept a award for directing. This should have been a work thing that turned into vacation with his side piece.
Stupid Fuqua. And ya messy.
They were both in Italy for the annual cinema festival on the island of Ischia. I suppose the photogs noticed that they were extremely “friendly” during the offcial part and followed them the next day.
Idk about Murphy, but Fuqua is a well known cheater and has fathered AT LEAST 2 children from other women while married.
She’s a well known cheater as well as been with more than one married men. She also dates/married cheaters so I guess that’s even there.
Yep. They are probably perfect for each other. Poor Lela.
I feel for Lela Rochon who has an autoimmune disease and three complicated pregnancies and being bullied because of her weight gain. She is still gorgeous but the trolls are terrible. Fuqua also has 2 other kids by another women that are (or at least close) to the same age as his kids with Rochon. I’m not saying Murphy is clear and free (because a simple phone call or google search could have confirmed Fuqua’s marital status) but I do believe her when she says he lied to her.
Lela Rochon will always be Sunshine ☀️ (Harlem Nights reference) and I hope she is seeing the support she is getting tooz
She’s adorable.
She’s lovely.
I have so many thoughts about this and none of them are good. I don’t like that she is taking the brunt of the criticism because Antoine deserves to be dragged by his chinny chin chins for cheating on his wife. The fact that both Lela and Nicole are being dragged and he is going almost scot free is not surprising and vile.
She does deserve to shamed though. She has been around that couple for over twenty years. She is supposed to be a family friend and yet does not know if her “friend” is divorced or separated or not. She is lying through her teeth. I don’t believe that outside women can wreck homes, but they can contribute to a marriage ending. The downfall of a marriage is solely on the actions of said people in said marriage.
I feel the most for Lela though. Misogyny is such a terrible thing. She is getting blamed for her own faithless husband cheating on her, fatshamed by aholes on twitter and losing a friend. I wish her and her kids the best. I hope she has a lot of support around her. She will probably stay until other women come out the wood work or a secret kid comes out.
People Magazine says Lela and Antoine were at their teenage son’s basketball game a few weeks ago.They were acting like a married couple,Lela had on her wedding ring.
He was in Italy for a film festival and he was getting an award.IDK what Nicole was doing there or who she was traveling with.She often goes on trips with girlfriends,her adult daughters.
Well, this is nasty, isn’t it?
Married is off limits people.
Be adults.
I loved her first Trump-ian/Jedi mind trick answer: those hot make-out sessions with us both half naked was not what your eyes are telling you, they are simple pecks between family friends! LOL, the family friend who doesn’t know that the man is still married.
According to the Black blogs, Fuqua was in Italy accepting some type of directing award and she was his plus one. There is one grainy pic of them together in formal clothes. The guess is his wife called the paps a la Wendy Williams. She gathered evidence in the past of his cheating with two women. She pulled a trick to let both women know he is dating them at the same time. Divorce papers will be served.
Will they though? He’s cheated on her before and she’s still with him so… I think Lela needs to gain a little self-respect and leave. But if past behavior is a clear indicator of future behavior then he will continue to cheat and she will stay with him.
IDK about the other times but it 2019 and this news is making it to mainstream media instead of just the Black media. It’s too public. She will be cornered and if anything, public pressure to leave him will be hard to push back against.
Again like Wendy Williams, who stayed when her husband’s mistress was only being reported by the Black blogs. Once it went mainstream, she couldn’t stay married and face the public.
@Original T.C. He very publicly impregnated TWO different women. And one was while Lela herself was pregnant. It’s pretty well known. And she stayed. So…yeah. I would be pleasantly surprised if she left.
what’s the over/under that Fuqua told Nicole he was “separated” and she thought it was a grand rollout of their romance when he invited her to a work event and called the paps on them herself – only for the whole thing to explode? It would explain why she’s making all the apologies while he’s chilling elsewhere.
Nicole would be taking a whole lot less shit if she’d kept her mouth closed about it like Fuqua has.
But Fuqua is a dog.
Lela needs to call up Angela for a WTE reunion and burn his entire shit.
👆🏽 Co-sign
She opened her mouth with lie number one, then doubled down with another lie the next day. He’s quiet because he had to scramble home and do damage repair. They probably thought they could go unnoticed in Italy.
Messy AF…
I think she organized the pics to be taken to force his hand. If you see in some pics, she’s looking directly at the photog. She probably wanted to be another Lauren Sanchez. Unfortunately it blew up in her face.
I agree completely. I think Nicole alerted the paps. She either wanted to force Fuqua’s hand or let everyone know they had a relationship.
I’ll always love Lela Rochon. From back in the day in Boomerang, Waiting to Exhale, The Chamber, Why Do Fools Fall in Love, etc. She was one of my favorites. I feel so badly for her.
Yea I was going to say these photos look like they are posing and know they are being seen…
My guess is he told her he was divorced or separated, and she stupidly believed him and didn’t take two seconds to confirm it. Or they just had an affair and didn’t care. Either way, he’s gross because he KNOWS he’s married.
Nicole and Lela are both gorgeous women.
Nicole has a history, BUT Antoine is an even bigger cheater slash messy partner. He fathered two kids while he was married to Lela and one of the women had to take him to court since he wasn’t paying child support. There are court documents. It is possible he lied and told her he was single because I wouldn’t put that past him.
So of course the misogynistic public is blaming the innocent party, Lela, and the single but who still did a lot of wrong Nicole, instead of the married man who has cheated numerous times and even tried to dodge child support payments for one of the kids he fathered with his mistress while married.
Div, I’m with you. I don’t blame Nicole. She makes no promises to anybody’s wife. Any man who cheats makes the vows, not the mistress. Lela stays with him regardless, and she knows that he cheats, but she doesn’t leave him. She stays and keeps trying with a man who doesn’t care if he’s caught and if she is hurt. Lela needs the backbone to leave him. She isn’t acting much, and he has deep pockets, so she may feel financially compelled to stay. I couldn’t do it. I’ve left a cheating man before and told him to put all of my crap in a box so that I could pick it up and not even enter our old apartment.
Hating on the self-esteem lacking mistress is misplaced hatred. If your man cheats, it’s up to you to decide what you need. It’s not some side chick’s fault. It’s the fault of the person who restricts themselves in marriage but has no impulse control. Don’t marry if you can’t be faithful, but so many men like Fuqua see women as possessions to collect. If he really loved Lela, he wouldn’t cheat to save her the pain. Nicole is a notch on his belt.
The best and only way to be sure your possible paramour is separated for real real is to not date separated men.
At minimum, there needs to be a court filing and separate residences.
I’ve yet to meet a man still living with his wife who was truly separated.
Yep, and there are many men, who claim to be “separated”, who have not actually filed any paperwork to move toward being as such. And have no qualms lying about it. I’ve been in this situation and made a fool of, and my advice to anyone who has a separated or “separated” man perusing them would be to tell him to call you when he is divorced.
I agree! i have been lied to twice in the past 5 years by two different “separated men”. One actually told me he was divorced and when a few weeks later I asked for clarification and asked him “By the way, I just want to make sure you are ACTUALLY divorced, papers filed all that” And he responded, “Oh I’m legally separated. I haven’t filed for divorce for tax purposes.” Even that was TOO much a lie for me to overcome. Don’t even date til they are formally divorced and even so – don’t be the first girl they date. Who wants to be a rebound???
The other guy said he was separated but never filed any paperwork. Total BS. I later learned thru the grapevine that he had a new girlfriend for a few months when….he conceived his son with his wife. Then he “left” his wife when the baby was 3 months old. The girlfriend dumped him a year or so later and the wife took him back in because they had never filed for separation or divorce during this years long relationship he had with someone else…. I doubt he is divorced to this day – probably still lying to women.
Again – NO married or “Separated” not separated men. Only get with men who are officially Divorced and for AWHILE.
The only one in this situation who I feel bad for is Lela Rochon. She doesn’t deserve to be dragged like this for her husbands multiple cheating affairs. And Nicole Murphy — come on, she lives life as the “other woman.” Her denials were weak, she knows what the deal is — but she doesn’t care.
Nicole should get Miranda Lambert’s number and text her to hang out. They can swap stories and high five each other.
Wow!!!!!
So I only saw this first picture, I didn’t know there were other pictures. I was still giving her the benefit of the doubt. If you look really closely at this pic, their lips aren’t touching. It is a weird top/bottom thing and I thought maybe a photog just caught them during an awkward greeting kiss. Like when you go to kiss someone on one cheek and they go for the same cheek and your faces bump. I was blowing the photo up and sending it up to people, saying Nicole Murphy is such a nice lady…..
I also believe in fairies and witches, and viable Democratic candidates. Go ahead and shame me. I deserve it. **hangs head**
Unpopular opinion here. Why is she the one making the apology?/ She isn’t married to anyone, she didn’t break any vows, HE DID. He should have issued his apology first and then if she followed up fine. Everyone likes to jump on the woman and then they stay silent on the man.
She is dumb for going after married men and equally as dumb for her two terrible responses when being called out for her actions! I’m waiting for Lela’s move!
But why is she being called out when the married man involved is not? And he’s sure not responding to anything publicly like she is – doesn’t he have far more to answer for?
He’s had two children with other women, ffs. One of those women had to sue him for child support. Yet this is about Nicole Murphy? Hmm 🤔
I think its so sad the wife has put up with two children outside marriage and now this. He clearly is not in love with her and how could she love him at all after these major public betrayals?
This isnt about love at all. She couldnt possibly love a man who treats her so poorly. Is her confidence so low she doesnt think she will ever find love? Afraid to be alone? She already is it seems…
It makes me sad when I hear women staying with men like this. This is a terrible example and situation for the kids, they must see their parents marriage is a sham. This wouldnt be news if he wasnt married so why do they put their kids thru this negative publicity about their parents by this charade they r keeping up?
Surely- she would get a substantial divorce settlement? I dont get why she stays.
Give me a break. Nicole knew he was still married. I’m sure she called the paps. She clearly was looking at the camera in several pics. She’s messy and deals with messy people.
If she thought he was single, she wouldn’t have called him a family friend. She would’ve said that she was kissing a guy that she was dating, or is in a relationship with.
But nope, she lied and tried to hide it, which means that she most likely knew that he was married. They both are awful people, and the headlines should read “Married man cheating on his wife.”