Senegalese-American singer and record producer, Akon, has acknowledged that his life was considerably easier when he simultaneously maintained romantic relationships with multiple women, a revelation that comes just months after his wife of nearly three decades filed for divorce.
The 53-year-old musician, known for hits such as ‘Lonely’ and ‘Smack That’, made the admission during a recent appearance on The Shade Room, where he contrasted his past romantic lifestyle with his current experience in monogamy.
According to Akon, his earlier years were characterised by ease and excitement, emotions he says he no longer feels while being committed to a single partner.
“My life was very much easier when I had multiple women surrounding me, but me being with just one woman isn’t just exciting,” he told the programme.
When pressed by hosts to disclose his current relationship status and the number of women he is involved with, Akon declined to provide specifics, instead invoking his right against self-incrimination.
“I plead the fifth; it will be incriminating to answer,” he said, deflecting further inquiry into his personal life.
The interview arrives barely seven months after Akon’s wife, Tomeka Thiam, filed for divorce in September 2025, citing irreconcilable differences following 28 years of marriage. The union produced one daughter named Journey. The divorce filing marked a turning point for the artist, who has long been vocal about his belief in polygamy as a preferred relationship structure.
Akon, whose birth name is Aliaune Badara Thiam, has previously addressed his views on commitment and family structure. In a 2022 interview on The Zeze Mills Show, he confirmed that he is the father of nine children and has been open about his conviction that men are not naturally designed for lifelong monogamous commitment. That earlier statement had already placed him at the centre of public conversations about marriage, fidelity, and cultural expectations in relationships.
Throughout his decades-long career, the Grammy-nominated artist has maintained a significant presence both in music and as a philanthropist, including his Lighting Africa project aimed at providing solar energy to millions across the continent.
However, his romantic life continues to draw significant public interest, particularly as he navigates post-divorce reality while openly expressing nostalgia for the freedoms of non-monogamous arrangements.
