Wanda Sykes immediately bonded with her husband, Alex Sykes.
The couple first met in 2006 on a trip to Fire Island. During the interview with S. in November 2018 Guard, Wanda recalled her first impression of her future wife: “Something really said to me β like, audibly β ‘Wow, this is what you need, Wanda.’ ”
Two years later, the couple married, and Wanda publicly announced that she was gay a few weeks after their wedding. In 2009, Wanda and Alex had twins: Olivia Lou and Lucas Clyde.
Over the years, Wanda and Alex have been by each other’s side through many ups and downs, including the comedian’s breast cancer diagnosis and double mastectomy in 2011.
From their first meeting on a ferry to raising twins, here’s a look at the timeline of Wanda Sykes and Alex Sykes’ relationship.
2006: Wanda and Alex meet
Wanda and Alex met in 2006 on a ferry ride to New York’s Fire Island. Coincidentally, Wanda was in the process of remodeling her kitchen when she met Alex, a French woman who sold granite slabs and happened to be single, according to Guard.
October 25, 2008: Wanda and Alex get married
Wanda Sykes on Instagram
After dating for two years, Wanda and Alex married on October 25, 2008. On their 12th anniversary in 2020, Wanda shared on Instagram that the two had only one request on their wedding day.
“In 2008 we fought for marriage equality. We asked friends instead of gifts to support #NoProp8. Even though CA Prop 8 passed, we ended up winning marriage equality for the country through the Supreme Court,” the comedian captioned the wedding photos.
November 15, 2008: Wanda comes out publicly
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ANDREAS BRANCH/Patrick McMullan via Getty
A few weeks later, Wanda publicly came out as gay while giving an impromptu speech at an equality rally in Las Vegas. At the time, California voters had just voted down Proposition 8, the now-overturned ban on same-sex marriage.
During the appearance at the 2015 The Meredith Vieira Show, Wanda stated that her coming out was “not planned at all,” adding that her recent marriage to Alex played a role in her spontaneous decision to go public with her sexuality. “It just went public, you know,” Wanda said. “Because I just got married and instead of speaking in support, I spoke as one of, I guess, the victims.”
April 27, 2009: Wanda and Alex welcome their twins
In April 2009, Wanda and Alex announced the birth of their twins. Wanda’s rep confirmed to PEOPLE that Olivia Lou and Lucas Claude were born safely and that they are “all happy and healthy and at home.”
2011: Alex helps Wanda recover from a double mastectomy
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Frazer Harrison/Getty
Wanda was diagnosed with non-invasive breast cancer in February 2011 and decided to have a double mastectomy that August. Two months later, she opened up about her healing process to PEOPLE, saying Alex never left her side. “I was miserable. Every day I had to change the bandages and look at it, and it wasn’t pretty at all,” she said. “We never hid anything from the kids. They were a big part of my decision because I wanted to be there for them.”
She continued: “I feel whole again, really. I told them, ‘Mommy’s boo-boo is so much better now.’ ”
October 2016: Wanda says Alex doesn’t mind her comedy routines
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During an appearance on Harry Connick Jr.’s talk show. in October 2016. Harry, Wanda admitted that at first Alex was “uncomfortable” about their personal life being featured in her comedy acts, but grew to love it over time. She gets upset if I don’t talk about her, Wanda said.
Earlier that month, the comedian appeared on Today and shared that she avoids eye contact when making jokes about her wife on stage. “I look away and tell her ‘just imagine I’m up there holding two big bags of money’, so it’ll be easier for her to go down.”
May 5, 2017: Wanda admits she can’t speak French like the rest of her family
Alex is French and speaks the language fluently along with the couple’s twins. But unlike the rest of her family, Wanda doesn’t know much French, as she said Late Night with Seth Meyers in 2017.
– I understand small words, but I know when they are planning something for me because they speak quickly and quietly – she joked.
December 13, 2019: Wanda says Alex has changed her mind about the kids
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During an interview with NPR’s Terry Gross in December 2019, the actress shared that she didn’t want to have children before meeting Alex, but that it was easy to decide to have children with her.
“I didn’t want children. I had no vision of having children at all,” she said. “And when I met my wife, she β that was her thing. ‘Look. Right up front, I want kids.’ And I said, “Well, can you give me, like, six months to think about it? And let’s keep going out, and then we’ll see. And if I know it’s not for me, then, you know, we’ll just end this, and you go find someone who wants to have kids.’ ”
She continued, βSo [Alex] agreed, well – but after those six months, even before that, I quickly said, ‘You know? Why wouldn’t you want children? Why wouldn’t you want to start a family with this person?’ And it’s the best decision I’ve ever made.”
March 7, 2020: Alex celebrates Wanda’s birthday
Alex posted a tribute to Wanda on Instagram to celebrate her 56th birthday in March 2020. She shared a photo of the two of them riding in a car, with the caption: “March 7th! That’s my beautiful, unique, sexy, busy, funny, female Birthday!! ππΌπ₯π₯°. Did I say busy?? π #happybirthday @iamwandasykes #joyeuxanniversaire.”
February 11, 2021: Wanda shuts down divorce rumors
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Alex Sykes Instagram
Wanda was a guest on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in February 2021, when the host brought up rumors that Wanda and Alex were divorcing. The comedian replied: “Oh God no. Oh no, it’s all good here. But you’re making me a little nervous. Maybe I should follow her on Instagram, see what she’s babbling about! But no, it’s all good here. Actually, we’re just talked about getting a new mattress!”
“You don’t invest in a new mattress if you’re, you know…” DeGeneres joked. – This is proof that marriage is permanent!
June 27, 2021: Wanda and Alex arrive at the Critic’s Choice Awards
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The couple walked the red carpet together at the 2021 Critic’s Choice Awards later that year. Alex shared a photo of her and Wanda on the carpet, captioning it with rainbow and fire emojis.
October 25, 2021: Wanda and Alex celebrate their 13th anniversary
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Alex Sykes Instagram
Wanda and Alex marked an impressive 13 years of marriage in October 2021. To celebrate the milestone, Alex shared a photo on Instagram of herself kissing Wanda’s cheek and wrote: “Guess what happened on October 25th, 2008?? Wellβ¦ that’s when we said ” WE WORK”. 13 years later she loves me even more. π Iβ₯οΈU @iamwandasykes.”
For her post, Wanda shared a video of her and Alex hanging out on a boat and singing Johnny Cash’s “You Are My Sunshine.”
A few weeks later, the couple enjoyed a date on Broadway. Alex shared on Instagram that they went to David Byrne American utopia.
March 23, 2022: Wanda shares Alex’s reaction to hosting the Oscars
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Frazer Harrison/Getty
Wanda was named co-host of the 2022 Academy Awards in February 2022. The following month, the comedian told PEOPLE that her wife had one question when she heard the news: “‘What am I going to wear?’ It was all that – said Wanda.
She added: “I can’t tell her things because she would drive me crazy asking about it every day. Like I’ll say, ‘Oh, guess what? I’m shooting a movie in Hawaii,’ as I’m going to the airport.”
The couple later attended Wanda’s big dinner together on March 27, 2022 dressed to the nines. Then they celebrated in vanity fair Oscar Party, which Alex announced on Instagram a few days later. “OMG! I can’t believe I went to the Vanity Fair party! A dream come true. #π€© We saw so many great artists that I love,” she captioned a photo of her and Wanda on the red carpet.
June 12, 2022: Alex greets Wanda from the road
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Alex Sykes Instagram
On June 12, 2022, Alex shared on Instagram that Wanda had returned home after being on the road for her comedy tour. Along with a selfie of the newly reunited couple and videos of their lake trip, she wrote: “After two sold out shows my Boo is back at our little cabin by the lake π.”
February 14, 2023: Wanda and Alex celebrate Valentine’s Day
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Alex Sykes Instagram
For Valentine’s Day 2023, Alex posted a sweet tribute to his wife on Instagram, writing alongside a photo of them kissing, “Hold on to my beautiful wife and mother of our children.”
She added: “Obviously representation is important so I want to inspire others to be honest and proud of their love regardless of what society says and despite the difficulties we may face as same-sex families.”
January 7, 2024: Wanda and Alex arrive at the Golden Globes
The couple attended the 81st Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles. Wanda, one of the night’s nominees, looked chic in a Christian Siriano suit, while Alex complemented her husband in a beaded dress.
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Source: HIS Education