Singer Akon has opened up about his views on polyamorous relationships, saying he believes “polyamory is natural behaviour for men” while discussing how his family dynamic works behind closed doors.
The 53-year-old artist shared the comments during an appearance on the We Need To Talk podcast hosted by Paul C. Brunson.
Known for hits including Lonely and Locked Up, Akon spoke candidly about having multiple partners, though he stopped short of revealing exactly how many relationships he is currently involved in.
“I’ll just leave that to your imagination,” he joked during the interview.
Akon says first wife is treated as the “Queen”
While discussing the structure of his relationships, Akon explained that there are strict rules within the household, especially when it comes to respecting the first wife.
“That one is the reason you even got one, two or three,” he said. “She’s the Queen. Nobody violates wife No. 1.”
“The moment they violate, out the door. She comes first, period,” the singer added.
Akon also acknowledged the challenges that can come with introducing new people into a long-term family dynamic.
“With new people a part of your family, there’s going to be new attitudes, new mindsets, new behaviours,” he explained. “And the first wife has to deal with that.”
Communication is central, singer says
The musician stressed that honesty and communication are essential for making the relationships work.
“You got to be mature enough to know that if this is the situation that I’m going to park in, I have to communicate,” Akon said.
“This I like, this I don’t like. This I’m for, this I’m not for.”
He added that once boundaries and expectations are established, everyone involved is expected to respect them.
“Once y’all lay down those rules, just abide by them. It’s literally that simple,” he said.
Akon shares thoughts on modern relationships
During the interview, Akon also clarified that while he has multiple partners, the arrangement does not work both ways.
The singer, who said he has nine children — seven boys and two girls — has spoken in the past about cultural differences surrounding relationships and marriage.
According to multiple reports, Akon’s wife Tomeka Thiam filed for divorce in 2025 after nearly 30 years of marriage, though the singer did not directly discuss the split during the podcast appearance.
Other celebrities have discussed non-monogamy
Akon is not the only celebrity to publicly speak about non-monogamous relationships.
RuPaul’s Drag Race host RuPaul Charles previously told The New Yorker that long-term monogamy among men is “not realistic,” sparking similar debates online about modern relationships and marriage expectations.
Akon’s comments have since generated mixed reactions online, with some praising his honesty while others criticized his views on relationships and gender dynamics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGQwHkuMDQA
