6 Things to Know About Mary J. Blige and Kendu Isaacs' Marriage

We were sure that Mary J. Blige was “Not Gon’ Cry” anymore after she wed Kendu Isaacs 12 years ago, but in a shocking twist TMZ is reporting that the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul and her hubby Kendu Isaacs–the two are getting a divorce. While the news is certainly a blow for those who gave love a second chance after Mary found her bliss, here are six things to know about her wedding day and marriage from happier times. Mary J. Blige Files for Divorce from Husband Kendu Isaacs Mary and Kendu tied the knot in a intimate home ceremony. On a December day in 2003, the couple said “I Do” in her New Jersey home. No celebrities attended the couple’s nuptials. Guests attendance was kept to 50 of the friends and family members of the bride and groom because she, “didn’t want a lot of hoopla” on her big day, according to PEOPLE. Mary’s mom and sister did all the cooking on their wedding day. The menu for the wedding reception was kept to a minumu no-fuss food experience of homestyle favorites. Mary’s mom Cora and sister LaTonya whipped together, “oxtail, barbecued chicken, crab, red rice and salad,”disclosed PEOPLE. For dessert, guests enjoyed a cake from a favorite Yonkers, N.Y., bakery. The two abstained from sex until marriage. In their 2007 cover story with ESSENCE, they couple revealed that after living together befire they wed, they started reading the Bible together and tried to live by the word. “When you’re having sex and you’re not married, it’s called fornication in the Bible,” Isaacs says. Men don’t really do well with no sex,” Blige says bluntly. “But I said, ‘You will have to show me that you really love me that much and move out.’ And he showed me that he loved me that much.” Isaacs moved out, and for a year and two months the couple abstained. The couple never had any children. Mary and her hubby never had children together but she played step-mother to his children from a previous relationship. ” “I was never sitting around think, ‘Oh God, I want a baby. No.’ And then these very special kids came along and it was like they were tailor made for me to be their stepmom,” she told the Daily Mail in 2014. Frienships for the Mary and Kendu were separated based on gender. During their marriage, the couple tried to keep fraternization with the opposite gender to a minimum. In fact, they adopted a policy that she would have all female friends and he would have all male friends. “All females for me, all guys for him,” she said. “There’s none of that, ‘Oh, that’s my female friend Oh, that’s my guy friend.’ No, not in a marriage, I’ve never seen that work.” We were sure that the singer wouldn’t have “No More Drama” in her life when she found the love of her life but apparently not. Here’s to hoping the singer can “Be Happy” once again sometime very very soon. WANT MORE FROM ESSENCE? Subscribe to our daily newsletter for the latest in hair, beauty, style and celebrity news.