Lena Waithe Reflects on Her Brief Marriage to Ex Alana Mayo

Lena Waithe recently reflected on her short-lived marriage to Alana Mayo.

During the June 1 episode of Dax Shepard’s “Armchair Expert” podcast, Waithe, 42, discussed her feelings about the marriage. “I felt like, even though I wasn’t as happy as I should have been, this seemed like what I was supposed to do,” she explained, adding that she lacked the language and understanding at the time.

Waithe and Mayo began dating in 2014, got engaged in 2017, and married in 2019. However, they announced their separation just two months after the wedding.

In January 2020, the couple released a joint statement through their representatives, saying, “After careful thought and consideration, we have decided to part ways. We have nothing but support for one another and ask that you respect our privacy during this time.”

Mayo initiated divorce proceedings in November 2020, and their divorce was finalized in May 2021.

Reflecting on the relationship, Waithe acknowledged that she put her own happiness aside when deciding to marry Mayo. “My happiness didn’t feel like it was important,” she remarked, emphasizing her commitment to honoring the relationship.

Waithe expressed gratitude for her marriage to Mayo, stating it significantly impacted her life. She described Mayo as an “amazing human” and noted that they simply wanted different things.

“I realized I didn’t want to have children, which was a significant life decision, and I kept delaying it,” explained the creator of The Chi. “It wasn’t about lying; it was about understanding what I wanted and who I wanted to be. That’s why stepping back and gaining perspective was crucial for me.”

Waithe admitted she wasn’t clear with Mayo about her life goals.

“I knew I wanted to be with this person, have a house, a dog, and a mural. But I didn’t ask myself where I wanted to be in five years,” she continued.

Waithe confessed that the way she ended things with Mayo was not noble or honest. “It felt like a car crash because I was driving too fast without knowing the gears,” she said. “That doesn’t excuse my behavior, and I wish I could have handled it better. It’s about giving yourself grace and learning from it.”

Waithe concluded that she harbors no ill feelings toward Mayo and is glad her former partner is happy. “You truly love someone when you want them to be happier without you,” she reflected. “I don’t think happiness would have followed if I had stayed. I believe stepping away was the right choice because I couldn’t provide the life she wanted.”

Four years after their breakup, Waithe began a relationship with Cynthia Erivo in 2024, while Mayo has maintained a private personal life.