After ten years together and seven years of marriage, Teyana Taylor and Iman Shumpert revealed on September 17 that they have separated.
Singer and actress Taylor, 32, and NBA alum Shumpert, 33, married in 2016 and share two children – Iman ‘Junie’ Shumpert, seven, and Rue Rose Shumpert, three.
Taylor took to Instagram on Sunday with a detailed post to ‘provide clarity’ and address the rumours that have been plaguing the pair amidst their split.
The White Men Can’t Jump actress said that cheating was not the cause behind her marriage ending, and that she remains on good terms with Shumpert, who played for the Sacramento Kings during his career.
Despite remaining on good terms, the couple, according to Taylor, had been separated ‘for a while’ – but what were the signs in that the two had secretly split?
Separated: After ten years together and seven years of marriage, Teyana Taylor and Iman Shumpert revealed on September 17 that they have separated
Family of four: Singer and actress Taylor, 32, and NBA alum Shumpert, 33, married in 2016 and share two children – Iman ‘Junie’ Shumpert, seven, and Rue Rose Shumpert, three
Clarification: Taylor took to Instagram on Sunday with a detailed post to ‘provide clarity’ and address the rumours that have been plaguing the pair amidst their split, citing that cheating was not the cause behind her marriage ending
Cryptic song lyrics
Despite the public transparency of the pair’s relationship, in 2018, singer Teyana expressed emotional vulnerability in her Kanye West-produced album K.T.S.E. (Keep That Same Energy).
According to Pitchfork, one of the songs from the album, ‘Issues/Hold On,’ saw the songstress exploring all the ugly feelings that come with being in love in the public spotlight.
Alluding to possible issues in her relationship with husband Shumpert, Taylor sang: ‘Don’t give me no reason to go through your phone.’
Other lyrics from the song include: ‘This is deeper than you and other women/This is daddy issues/This is years putting up with the wrong type.’
In the hook, Teyana begs, ‘Hold on, hold on/Don’t let me go,’ showing all the complex sides of love.
Open marriage speculations and threesomes
The topic of the couple’s open marriage and their desire to engage in threesomes first arose in 2018 when Teyana released the song “3Way” on her K.T.S.E. album.
Taylor detailed the sexual experiences shared with her husband, singing: ‘Anything; for my baby I’d do some crazy things, yeah. So whatever he want, he can get that.’
She added: ‘Cause two heads are better than one. Threeway, I couldn’t wait to have with you.’
Adventurous: The topic of the couple’s open marriage and their desire to engage in threesomes first arose in 2018 when Teyana released the song “3Way” on her K.T.S.E. album
According to Page Six, instead of praising the couple, some fans found the details of their rendezvous’ tasteless, with one tweeting on X (formerly Twitter): “A few weeks ago @TeyanaTaylor and @ImanShumpert were relationship goals.
Now I just feel like her interview was tasteless and shows a lack of self respect. Let this be a lesson. What you and your husband do should be left in the room.’
Teyana fired back at the fan, writing: ‘Let what be a lesson petunia!? I’m not losing any sleep at night over UR opinion.
‘Just because I, ME I repeat ME enjoy b*ssing b***hes down from time to time w/ MY HUSBAND, doesn’t mean I don’t respect ‘self.’ So, u should go and enjoy your wack *ss sex life & stay out of mine.’
Taylor has always been candid about her sex life. In March 2018, the star told Page Six TV that she once had sex on a carriage ride through Central Park in New York.
And, according to HotNewHipHop, the singer further discussed polyamory and open relationships in August 2022.
In a promotional video following her partnership with dating app Bumble, Teyana spoke about the perception that men are usually the ones facilitating open relationships.
However, in Taylor’s case, anything that has occurred with husband Iman Shumpert is what she has solely wanted.
She said: ‘People be surprised by how the woman initiates a lot of stuff, I’m not poly, but when everybody heard that me and my husband had threesomes before, they were like, “She’s willing to do that to keep a man,” but that was all me!’
Cheating and lovechild allegations
According to Ace Showbiz, in 2019, it was rumoured that Iman had impregnated one of the couple’s alleged threesome buddies.
Alleged lovechild: According to Ace Showbiz, in 2019, it was rumoured that Iman had impregnated one of the couple’s alleged threesome buddies, pornstar Alby Rydes
Defense: The NBA star sparked speculation after he posted a ‘heart eyes’ emoji under a picture of porn star Alby Rydes’ newborn baby, which prompted people to assume that he is the father of the child, which prompted the porn star to confirm that Iman isn’t the child’s father
The truth: In response to the baby allegations, Teyana took to her Twitter account to set the record straight, writing: ‘1. I’ve never seen/touched that girl in my life.’
The basketball player sparked speculation after he posted a ‘heart eyes’ emoji under a picture of porn star Alby Rydes’ newborn baby, which prompted people to assume that he is the father of the child.
In response, Teyana took to her Twitter account to set the record straight, writing: ‘1. I’ve never seen/touched that girl in my life. 2. My page is gone because I’m upset at @defjam for not dropping my damn ‘WTP’ video on time, per usual.
‘3. It’s really sad that lies are entertained so much than the truth. 4. Iman is not dumb he know I’d kill him.’ Alby also confirmed separately that Iman isn’t the child’s father.
More rumours of Iman cheating on Teyana surfaced online only last week after fans saw a photos and videos of a girl who seemed to know the basketball star.
In the post, the unidentified woman was spotted allegedly wearing Iman’s necklace, which was previously seen on him in an interview. She also shared a picture with a man in the frame, and, in the video, fans claimed to have heard Shumpert’s voice.
While fans could not see the face, many were convinced it was Iman. This led to the speculation that he was cheating on Iman. However, the woman in question shut the these rumours down in the comment section of the post on The Neighborhood Talk.
Alleging that her and Shumpert were not romantically involved nor was she wearing his chain, she stated it actually belonged to one of his friends, who all sport the same one.
She wrote: ‘A reach. We are just friends there was a lot of friends there.’
Absence in one another’s social media posts
Absence: The couple had not been seen together in public or on one another’s social media pages in months. The two usually express love for another and cheer each other on regularly on Instagram, however, the last time Taylor posted her husband was 11 weeks ago, in July
Although Teyana was the first to confirm the pair’s split on Sunday, Shumpert has not yet publicly commented on the parting on his own social media.
In fact, the couple had not been seen together in public or on one another’s social media pages in months.
The two usually express love for another and cheer each other on regularly on Instagram, however, the last time Taylor posted her husband was 11 weeks ago, in July.
Wishing her ‘bestfriend’ a happy 33rd birthday, the singer wrote: ‘Your birthday will always be one of my favorite days…..Because on this day 33 years ago a super dope human being was born.
‘My Bestfriend, my husband, my children’s dad, my other half. Crazy how ya bday feels like my day cause you a gift. One of the greatest gifts I’ve ever received. Happy bday king!’
Last post: The last time Taylor posted her husband was in July, in which she wished her ‘bestfriend’ a happy 33rd birthday, writing: ‘Your birthday will always be one of my favorite days…..Because on this day 33 years ago a super dope human being was born’
Mother’s Day ode: On Shumpert’s Instagram page, the last he posted of or about his wife was 18 weeks ago, in an unsually similar detailed post to wish his wife a happy Mother’s Day
On Shumpert’s Instagram page, the last he posted of or about his wife was 18 weeks ago, in an unusually similar detailed post to wish his wife a happy Mother’s Day.
The NBA star said: ‘Happy Mother’s Day to the one my children got here with. This lady played Inez so good you woulda thought she stole Junie and Rue (if u haven’t seen A Thousand and One go do that asap!)
‘Your strength, persistence and patience has never ceased to amaze me. Keep on pushing the love and creating the memories that remind us what this life is about. We love you.’
Taylor has also been spotted attending various red carpet and award show events over recent months without her husband.
Short-lived TV show?
We Got Love: Available to stream on Amazon Prime, Apple TV and Peacock, the couple landed their own reality TV show in 2021 called “We Got Love: Teyana and Iman.”
To be continued: Despite the success of the series – which featured eight episodes – according to NextSeasonTV, We Got Love Teyana & Iman Season 2 has not been cancelled or renewed by E! yet, with commencing plans yet to be announced
Available to stream on Amazon Prime, Apple TV and Peacock, the couple landed their own reality TV show in 2021.
“We Got Love: Teyana & Iman” is described as an ‘authentically and unfiltered’ docu-series, which follows pop-culture powerhouses Teyana, Iman, their daughters Junie and Rue, and their close entourage of family and friends.
Despite the success of the series – which featured eight episodes – according to NextSeasonTV, We Got Love Teyana & Iman Season 2 has not been cancelled or renewed by E! yet, with commencing plans yet to be announced.
If the couple have been separated ‘for a while,’ as mentioned by Taylor, the ceasing of production of a second series could signify the pair may have not been together for some time.
