Gabourey Sidibe is basking in the glow of a love that doesn’t back down, even if it means sparking a family feud. The Oscar-nominated actress opened up about her husband Brandon Frankel’s unwavering, extra-protective nature during the ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards last week, sharing hilarious and heartfelt anecdotes about their marriage.
Speaking with PEOPLE on the event’s red carpet, Sidibe laughed as she recounted Frankel’s relentless dedication to shielding her from any perceived slight. “If you step on my dress, he will be here,” she quipped, adding, “He don’t (play), and I deserve every bit of it, okay?” But Sidibe clarified that her husband’s protective instincts often go into overdrive. “He’ll beef with his grandma!” she joked, sparking both laughter and admiration from the crowd.
The couple welcomed twins Cooper and Maya in 2022 and have been married since 2021. Sidibe emphasized that Frankel’s devotion extends beyond playful banter. Whether defending her online from critics or standing up for her in person, “Like, he’s in a feud with a lot of things,” she continued. “I have to be careful about telling him that somebody gave me an attitude because he’ll write them off forever.”
Sidibe and Frankel’s romance started unexpectedly when they encountered each other on the exclusive dating platform Raya. Just four months after getting engaged in November 2020, the pair wed in a private ceremony. By April 2024, they celebrated the arrival of their twins, Cooper and Maya.
Looking back on her experience, Sidibe acknowledged that she never expected the bond to evolve into what she now refers to as “radical love.”
“When you talk about radical love, what I realize was, and it’s going to sound selfish, but I realized that I liked who I was when I was with him. I liked the ways that I got to grow through loving him and being loved by him,” she explained.
The Precious actress continued, “I did not know that the person who I am today existed. And she only exists because of how much he loves me. Isn’t that crazy? I would have punched myself in the face 10 years ago.”
Gabourey Sidibe also shared her pride in Frankel, stating, “My husband’s the guy, just that guy.”
