Secret Lives Unveiled: Celebs Who Spill the Beans on Embracing Celibacy: Nick Cannon, Hilary Duff, and Beyond

Throughout the years, numerous celebrities have publicly discussed their decision to abstain from sexual activity, whether it be for a temporary period or until they are married.

In October 2021, Nick Cannon garnered attention when he revealed his choice to remain celibate following the birth of his seventh child earlier that year. During an interview on "Drinks Champs," the host of "Wild 'N Out" expressed his aim to continue this commitment until the year 2022.

Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker have openly discussed their decision to temporarily abstain from sexual activity.

"It was unbelievable," the reality star shared with Bustle in March 2022, reflecting on their experience with a sex hiatus. "But surprisingly, it had a positive impact on our relationship."

The Poosh founder, who got engaged to the musician in October 2021, remarked that after reconnecting following the break, their relationship became even more passionate. "It's like when you haven't had caffeine and then you finally have a matcha, it's amazing."

Keep scrolling to discover all the celebrities who openly discussed abstaining from sex over the years.

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Celebs Who Have Been Candid About Practicing Celibacy Over the Years: Nick Cannon, Hilary Duff and More

Over the years, many celebrities have opened up about their personal choice to abstain from sex, whether it's for a few months or until marriage.

Nick Cannon grabbed attention in October 2021 as he revealed his intention to remain celibate following the birth of his seventh child earlier that year. During a "Drinks Champs" interview, the Wild 'N Out host stated, "I'm going to see if I could make it to 2022."

Similarly, Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker openly discussed their decision to temporarily abstain from sexual activity.

The reality star described their previous period of abstaining from sex as "crazy" but acknowledged that it ultimately improved their relationship. They reconnected after the break and found that things became even more intense. The Poosh founder drew a comparison, saying it was like the satisfaction of having your first matcha after giving up caffeine.

Scroll on to see all the stars who got honest about abstaining from sex through the years:

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Suki Waterhouse

In October 2023, Waterhouse reminisced about a period of celibacy she went through before finding love with her current boyfriend, Robert Pattinson.

During a recent interview on the “Driven Minds: A Type 7" podcast, she revealed, "There was something special about removing the chaos that comes with receiving attention, dealing with it, and constantly messaging people, all while experiencing those waves of excitement. I didn't go on any dates or engage in any romantic activities during that time."

She further expressed, "Surprisingly, that decision turned out to be wonderful. I became more focused and comfortable being alone with myself. And eventually, that's when I unexpectedly crossed paths with my boyfriend."

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Andrew Garfield

The actor who gained fame for his role in Hacksaw Ridge has shared insights into the dedication he exhibited while working on the critically acclaimed 2016 film Silence, directed by Martin Scorsese. In this movie, he portrayed a 17th century Jesuit priest alongside co-star Adam Driver, as they embarked on a journey to Japan in search of their mentor.

Garfield disclosed his profound spiritual encounter during an August 2022 episode of the "WTF With Marc Maron" podcast. He revealed that he immersed himself in a plethora of spiritual practices every day, establishing fresh rituals to enhance his experience. Additionally, he abstained from any sexual activities for a duration of six months and engaged in frequent fasting to shed excess weight alongside Adam. This unique journey proved to be remarkable as he attained astonishing and mind-altering moments by depriving himself of both physical intimacy and sustenance during that period.

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Alexa PenaVega and Carlos PenaVega

"What unfolded within our hearts, guided by God, extended beyond mere sexual desires. Throughout the remainder of our engagement, Carlos did not receive the sexual satisfaction he desired. Yet, that is precisely the essence, isn't it? Marriage is not centered around fulfilling individual desires," the actress divulged in their joint memoir, What If Love Is the Point? Living for Jesus in a Self‑Consumed World, published in June 2022.

Alexa further shared, "Within this most intimate partnership, each partner is compelled to make sacrifices for the other. Consequently, one may not always attain all the sexual fulfillment they crave. It may even mean sacrificing desired rest or foregoing a coveted diamond ring. However, what we discovered is that the rewards surpassed our preconceived notions of what we thought we wanted."

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Ben Higgins

Chris Higgins discusses his decision to abstain from pre-marital sex with his wife Jessica Clarke during a May 2022 interview on the “Talking It Out" podcast. Higgins emphasizes that the choice was not solely based on their faith, but also on their belief in the sanctity and power of sex. He reveals that while he had previous sexual experiences, his wife had not, prompting them to have a conversation about their future. Ultimately, they decided to wait until marriage to have sex in order to make the moment special and strengthen their commitment to each other. Despite the challenges, the couple believes that the decision has brought them closer together.

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Terry Crews

Before the release of his 2022 book, Tough: My Journey to True Power, Crews got candid about how his addiction to pornography almost ruined his marriage to Rebecca King-Crews.

"My wife sensed that something was amiss as we gradually drifted apart," he revealed in an interview with Entertainment Tonight that April. "When she finally confronted me and asked, 'What are you hiding from me, Terry Crews?' I thought, 'Finally, we can move past this.' But to my surprise, she immediately declared, 'Nope, I'm done. I'm leaving.'"

After resolving their issues together, the couple decided to embark on a months-long "sex fast" to reignite their connection. "We went on a 90-day abstinence period," the former Brooklyn Nine-Nine actor elaborated. "Some people found it astonishing, but let me explain -- it took me back to when I was twelve years old, when I had feelings for a girl without any knowledge of sex. All I did was give her a flower and express my appreciation for who she was. It had nothing to do with sex. This experience transported us back to those innocent moments. It made me feel like a twelve-year-old again because sex was removed from the equation, and it was all about pure love."

He added: "I couldn't believe it. It was the best. At first, I was like, 'Oh, my God, this is gonna be horrible.' It was the best thing that we had ever done."

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Justin Bieber

In a Vogue interview, Bieber discussed his decision to abstain from sex for over a year before reigniting his relationship with now-wife Hailey Baldwin. He revealed that some individuals engage in sexual activity due to feelings of inadequacy or low self-esteem, which applies to both women and men. Bieber expressed his desire to reconnect with his faith and believed it would be beneficial for his spiritual well-being.

The Canada native noted that he and Baldwin continued the commitment until they tied the knot.

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Nick Cannon

"My therapist was one of the individuals who suggested that I should consider practicing celibacy after learning about Bre's pregnancy," shared Cannon during a January 2022 conversation with Angela Yee on his talk show. "That was the catalyst for embarking on my celibacy journey at that time... I chose to be celibate as I navigated through this situation."

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Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker

In March 2022, Kardashian recalled taking part in an Ayurvedic cleanse which led to a brief sex fast for her and Barker. 

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Ciara and Russell Wilson

The couple, who began dating in 2015, shared their choice to abstain from sexual activity until they are married.

During an interview at The Rock Church in July 2015, Wilson expressed, "I proposed the idea to her of following Jesus' path, removing all other physical intimacy from our relationship. I firmly believed that God had connected us to bring blessings to one another and to make a positive impact on people's lives. Of course, we understand that we won't be flawless."

Ciara and Wilson tied the knot one year later and welcomed their first child, daughter Sienna, the following year. The singer gave birth to their son, Win, in July 2020.

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Briana DeJesus

“I’ve been single and celibate for 8 months,” the MTV personality tweeted in February 2022. “After I hit a year, I’m going on bumble and hinge. .”

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Lady Gaga

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm advocating for abstinence. At this moment, I've chosen to remain single because I lack the time to truly connect with anyone," shared the renowned artist in an interview with the Daily Mail in 2010. "So, it's perfectly acceptable to refrain from engaging in sexual activity. It's important to take the time to build meaningful relationships. I've chosen celibacy, and it's absolutely fine."

She further expressed, "It's important to empower yourself and be true to who you are. Your self-worth is not dependent on engaging in sexual activities. If you're not ready, it's okay to say no. On the other hand, if you do feel ready, remember that free condoms are provided at my concerts on your way out!"

The American Horror Story former cast member was in a committed relationship with Taylor Kinney from 2015 to 2016. Prior to their separation, they had spent five years together. Gaga found love again with Christian Carino in February 2017, but their engagement came to an end after two years. Subsequently, she was romantically linked to Michael Polansky.

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Jessica Simpson

Simpson publicly declared her intention to stay abstinent until her marriage to Nick Lachey in 2002. However, they separated in November 2005 and their divorce was officially concluded in July 2006.

Following her split from Lachey, the author of Open Book went on to have relationships with John Mayer, Tony Romo, and Billy Corgan. In 2010, Simpson began dating Eric Johnson and they announced their engagement later that same year. The couple exchanged vows in 2014 and are parents to daughters Maxwell and Birdie, as well as son Ace.

 

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Kevin Jonas

During their time with Disney, Kevin Jonas, Joe Jonas, and Nick Jonas became widely known for wearing purity rings as a symbol of their commitment to remain celibate until marriage. While Joe and Nick eventually decided to remove their rings prior to entering into relationships with their current wives, Kevin remained steadfast in wearing his ring until he exchanged vows with Danielle Jonas.

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Carrie Underwood

The singer was open about her plans to stay celibate before marrying Mike Fischer in 2010.

 

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Julianne Hough

According to Hough, the decision to engage in premarital sex is a personal one. However, if you choose to be sexually intimate with only one partner, there should be a compelling reason for it. Waiting to have sex can actually strengthen the bond between two individuals in a relationship. Hough acknowledges that she is not advocating for preaching about the negative consequences of engaging in premarital sex. Rather, she believes that saying no to sex can lead to making better decisions in the long run.

The professional ballroom dancer married Brooks Laich in 2017. The pair announced their separation in May 2020.

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Yvonne Orji

The Insecure actress has previously opened up about her choice to abstain from sexual activity for personal and religious reasons.

During an interview on The Breakfast Club in 2016, Orji shared a story about a fellow student who inspired her. This woman, who was a beautiful medical student, was also celibate and explained that she wanted to honor her beliefs. Orji, being a competitive person with three older brothers, felt motivated by this woman's decision and thought, "If she can do it, I can do it too."

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Madison Prewett

During Peter Weber's season of The Bachelor in 2020, Prewett revealed that she was abstaining from sex until marriage.

 

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Colton Underwood

When Underwood publicly acknowledged his homosexuality, he also confronted his previous portrayal as the virginal Bachelor. "Before appearing on The Bachelor, I had never experienced a sexual relationship, and I struggled to provide a satisfactory explanation for my virginity," he candidly expressed during an interview on Good Morning America in April 2021. "The reality is that I was the virgin Bachelor because I was grappling with my gay identity and unsure of how to navigate it."

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Hilary Duff

Duff, who was in a relationship with Joel Madden in the early 2000s, openly expressed her wish to abstain from sexual activity.

"I find it more challenging to have an older boyfriend because people tend to assume things. However, my virginity is something I appreciate about myself. It doesn't mean I haven't contemplated sex, as it seems like everyone around me has experienced it and there's a desire to conform," she shared with Elle magazine in 2006. "Yet, the way they talk about it doesn't make it feel as extraordinary as one would envision."

Four years later, the former Disney star tied the knot with Mike Comrie in August 2010. Their son, Luca, arrived in March 2012, but their marriage came to an end two years later.

Duff then found love with Matthew Koma, and together they have two daughters, Banks (born in 2018) and Mae (born in 2021). In December 2019, they had a small and intimate wedding ceremony to celebrate their union.

In this article

Briana DeJesus

Carrie Underwood

Ciara

Colton Underwood

Hailey Bieber

Hilary Duff

Jessica Simpson

Julianne Hough

Justin Bieber

Kevin Jonas

Kourtney Kardashian

Lady Gaga

Madison Prewett

Nick Cannon

Russell Wilson

Travis Barker