Amber Rose Dishes On Why She Is Content With Being Single
Amber Rose is opening up about her current outlook on relationships and why she is satisfied with remaining single after having several failed high-profile unions.
In the past, the model was romantically linked to music executive Alexander "AE" Edwards and rappers Kanye West, Wiz Khalifa, and 21 Savage. In addition to her past relationships, Rose shares a 10-year-old son Sebastian Thomaz with ex-husband Wiz Khalifa and Slash Edwards,3, with ex Alexander Edwards.
During an interview with Sofia With an F podcast earlier this year, the 39-year-old shared details surrounding the demise of her relationships, how her mother's past experiences with men influenced her dating life, and why she isn't willing to compromise her mental health for love.
Amber On Her Failed Unions With Wiz Khalifa, And 21 Savage
In the conversation, Rose disclosed that her relationship with Wiz Khalifa ended after almost three years of marriage because of infidelity on the rapper's part and the pressures from outside sources. The former couple tied the knot in 2013 and divorced in 2016.
Rose recalled that she struggled with her mental health during that period. The mother of two revealed that after the pair's split, she "cried every day for three years" while also trying to cope with the loss by dating.
"I mean, I cried every day for three years while I was dating other people... I married my soulmate [Wiz Khalifa], and then all of a sudden, he wasn't there anymore," she said while describing the pressures she and Wiz Khalifa faced in their union. "Because of our mothers, the internet, there was too much pressure to be married so young, and we just had a baby. I was f--king heartbroken."
Later, Rose spoke about how her mother's romantic history with men played a huge part in her life, especially when the star began dating 21 Savage. Despite conflicting reports, Rose and 21 Savage allegedly dated almost a year from 2017 to 2018. Rose mentioned that seeing her mother not recover from being "heartbroken over a man" forced her to return to the dating scene when she wasn't ready.
"But then I also watched my mother be heartbroken over a man and never recover. So I forced myself to date people while I was not recovered. Cause watching my mom, I was like, I can't. I have to get back out there. I have to," she stated.
Although Rose doesn't regret her time with 21 Savage and even raved about how great he was, looking back, she admitted that she shouldn’t have been in the relationship because she was still grieving over her marriage to Wiz Khalifa.
Rose would end the statement by saying that in light of all the drama she and Wiz Khalifa publicly went through, their relationship has improved over the years because they have a mutual understanding, which is to be the best co-parents for their son Sebastian.
Amber On Past Relationship With Kanye West
As the conversation shifted to her relationship with Kanye West, Rose says people are "obsessed" with that union because it was a "great time in pop culture." Rose and West dated for two years, from 2008 to 2010. Their breakup stemmed from West allegedly cheating on Rose with his now ex-wife, Kim Kardashian.
Rose shared that despite people's interest in wanting to know more about her romantic history with West, she doesn't talk about it much other than that he's helped her career because she doesn't consider it "relevant."
"I think people like to ask about my relationship with Kanye, but it was 13 years ago, guys. she said. "I obviously have to bring him up because he's a huge part of my story and how I got here, but yeah, no. I mean, I feel like people are obsessed with that because it was like a great time in pop culture. But in my personal life, it is not relevant besides just telling my story of how I got here."
When Rose was asked about her current dating life, she claimed it was nonexistent because she had learned to be content with not having a partner. Rose's last public relationship was with Alexander “AE” Edwards.
The former couple were together from 2018 to 2021. During their relationship, it was reported that Edwards allegedly cheated on Rose with multiple women. However, Edwards is now dating singer and actress Cher.
Rose revealed the main reason behind her remaining single is that she wants to focus on raising her two sons and doesn't have "any more heart left to give to somebody."
"I just feel like I don't have anymore heart left to give to somebody. I feel like it's unfair to bring somebody into my life and play with their feelings. I don't want to do that," she explained. "I'm okay with that. I feel like a lot of people are like, 'no don't say that you'll find love.' And I'm like, 'I have two boys to raise.'"
Amber On Remaining Single
Rose continued by saying that although sex is easy for her to get because she is rarely sexually intimate, she "doesn't care to force" herself to date. Rose wrapped up her remarks by admitting she isn't ready to date and doesn't want to.
Also, in the interview, Rose advised those entering relationships to be friends first and get to know their potential partners so they could avoid some of the mistakes she's made.
"I think that, like, people should really try to be friends first, really just really get to know people nowadays. Because you could be with somebody for, like, a year, let's say, and then just find out who they are. [I've] been there, [and] it's scary as f--k. I don't want to have to deal with that," she said.
Feature image by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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When discussing the topic of raising children, discipline is often the first thing that comes to mind. Children need discipline. Full stop. But what is discipline? And how do we draw the line between discipline and revenge?
The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this what’s best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, I’ve often heard parents say, “I asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didn’t stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesn’t work.”
And the parent isn’t wrong. Talking often doesn’t work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing ability—or listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their child’s misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:
Understanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what they’ve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
Maintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
Promoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
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Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
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Featured image by Courtney Hale/Getty Images