Damon Wayans Sr has opened up about formerly dating the ex-girlfriend of his own nephew.
The 64-year-old star of My Wife and Kids and the Lethal Weapon TV series said that he fell for the unidentified woman without realising the family connection.
Former NFL star Shannon Sharpe quizzed Wayans on the subject when the latter was interviewed on the Club Shay Shay podcast.
“This can’t be true… that you dated the same woman that your nephew was?” the host asked.
“I was in love with her, that’s the thing,” the actor responded. “Come on, you ain’t never did… you never did a Jackson 5?”
The quip is likely referring to The Jackson 5 singer Jermaine Jackson, who married Alejandra Loaiza, the ex-partner of his brother Randy Jackson, in 1995.
“Hell no, I ain’t never did that. I mean, for a family member, that’s off limits, Damon,” Sharpe replied.
Wayans explained that he had entered into the relationship after his 2000 divorce from Lisa Thorner. “I got divorced and I was by myself for two years,” he said. “And then I saw her [his nephew’s ex] and I was just like, ‘Oh my God. I’m in love.’ And then I found out my nephew had dated [her].”
“And I went ahead and I fell in love and it was OK,” he added, explaining that he had consulted his nephew after realising the connection.
Wayans attributed the development to the “small dating pool” in the area of California in which he lived, and joked that family gatherings had been “awkward”.
The actor also refrained from identifying which of his nephews he was referring to.
Wayans is part of a large family of entertainers, which also includes Shawn, Marlon, and Keenen Ivory Wayans, who are known for their work on the Scary Movie franchise.
