EXCLUSIVE: Black Love Goals! LL Cool J Reveals The Surprising Secret Behind His 31-Year Marriage To Wife Simone I. Smith … And Why “Balance” Is A Lie!
In an era where Hollywood marriages barely survive a single season, hip-hop pioneer and television powerhouse LL Cool J is proving that real, lasting Black love is still undefeated!
Media Take Out learned that the 58-year-old NCIS: New York star—who just celebrated an incredible 31 years of marriage with his high school sweetheart Simone I. Smith back in August—is finally spilling the tea on how the couple has stayed locked in since first meeting as teenagers in New York City way back in 1987! And according to Uncle L, the secret isn’t about trying to be glued at the hip—it’s about having your own personal mission and multiple television sets!
“You Gotta Be On Your Own Personal Mission!”
Speaking candidly while celebrating his return as Special Agent Sam Hanna alongside new co-star Scott Caan on NCIS: New York, LL Cool J broke down why so many modern couples crash and burn. Instead of losing yourself in a relationship, the Queens legend insists both partners need their own individual drive!
“To be in a successful partnership with anybody, you gotta be on your own personal mission,” LL explained.”You gotta make it right for you and you gotta understand that people ain’t perfect. I think that’s a big part of it. And then beyond that, you gotta make sure that whatever the situation is, you’re going after your dream.”
He added that knowing exactly who you are—without putting on a fake persona—is what keeps the energy right over three decades: “You’re consistent in who you are, and you’re not 10 different people to 10 different people.”
Multiple TVs & Ditching The “Balance” Myth!
Of course, keeping the peace inside a 31-year marriage also comes down to practical rules at home—and LL Cool J isn’t afraid to admit that separate screens save lives!
“A couple of TVs goes a long way,” the rap icon joked, pointing out that when Simone wants to binge reality television and he wants to kick back with a documentary, having their own space keeps everybody happy.Beyond the remote control, he boiled their rock-solid foundation down to two simple words: “Just mutual respect.”
And when it comes to juggling a 17-year NCIS run while raising four adult children and spoiling four grandchildren, LL says people need to stop chasing fake “balance” and focus on harmony instead.
“People who try to achieve balance are not realistic because something’s going to always be out of balance,” he said, noting that no matter how busy life gets, “people make time for what they choose to make time for.”
Breakdown Of The Key Players
To catch you up on one of entertainment’s longest-running love stories, here is a quick look at the main figures:
- LL Cool J (James Todd Smith, 58): The Grammy-winning hip-hop icon and NCIS: New Yorkleading man celebrating 31 years of marriage.
- Simone I. Smith (56): The jewelry designer, cancer survivor, and LL’s ride-or-die wife since August 1995.
- Scott Caan (50): LL Cool J’s new on-screen partner in CBS’s hit spinoff NCIS: New York.
Take Notes, Hollywood!
Nearly four decades after meeting as teenagers in NYC, LL Cool J and Simone I. Smith are still setting the gold standard for hip-hop royalty—proving that mutual respect, personal ambition, and a second TV might just be the ultimate marriage hack!
You heard it HERE FIRST on Media Take Out!
