Look, if you’ve spent any time on the corner of the internet where celebrity gossip lives, you’ve probably seen the question pop up more than once. People have been asking is LL Cool J gay for literal decades. It’s one of those persistent rumors that just won’t quit, despite the man being married to the same woman since 1995.
Honestly, it’s kind of wild when you think about it. LL—born James Todd Smith—is basically the blueprint for the "hard-hitting but sensitive" rapper. He’s the guy who gave us "Mama Said Knock You Out" and then turned around and melted hearts with "I Need Love." But in the world of hip-hop, especially back in the day, being that polished and that focused on the "ladies" (I mean, his name literally stands for Ladies Love Cool James) always seemed to make some people suspicious.
The Origins of the Rumor Mill
Where does this stuff even start? Usually, it's a mix of toxic masculinity in old-school rap culture and some very specific, unverified claims that made the rounds in the early 2000s.
There was this interview with a woman named Toni Newman, a transgender author who wrote a memoir called I’ll Dot the I and Cross the T. She claimed to have had celebrity clients during her time as a sex worker in New York, and she dropped LL’s name in several interviews around 2011. Naturally, the blogs went nuclear. But here’s the thing: there was never any proof. No photos, no receipts, nothing. LL never even bothered to give it the dignity of a formal press release because, well, why would he?
Then you’ve got the RuPaul situation. Back in the 90s, when LL was filming the sitcom In the House, RuPaul had a guest spot. Rumor has it LL was incredibly uncomfortable, allegedly refusing to even greet Ru on set. Some people interpreted that as "he's overcompensating because he's hiding something," while others just saw it as a product of the era’s unfortunately common homophobia. It’s a messy bit of TV history that people still use to fuel the "is LL Cool J gay" fire.
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Thirty Years of Marriage Doesn't Lie
If you’re looking for evidence of who the man actually is, you sort of have to look at Simone Smith. They met in 1987. He was 19, driving his mom’s car on Easter Sunday in Queens. A friend asked if he wanted to meet his cousin, and LL was about to say no until he actually saw her.
They dated for eight years. They got married in 1995. They have four kids—Najee, Italia, Samaria, and Nina. In the world of celebrity marriages, thirty years is basically an eternity. It’s like triple-diamond status.
Standing by His Wife
The real test of their bond came in 2004. Simone was diagnosed with stage III chondrosarcoma, which is a rare, aggressive form of bone cancer. She had to have her tibia replaced with a steel rod and basically learn how to walk again.
LL didn’t just stick around; he put his career on ice to be there. He told Oprah Winfrey in a 2013 interview, "You don't abandon someone in that foxhole." That doesn't sound like a guy living a double life or a "beard" marriage. It sounds like a guy who is deeply, perhaps even obsessively, loyal to his partner.
Why the Question Persists
So why do we keep asking? Part of it is just how LL presents himself. He’s always been incredibly manicured. The lip-licking, the perfectly chiseled abs, the fashion-forward outfits—he’s always occupied a space that felt "too pretty" for some of the more rigid fans of 80s and 90s hip-hop.
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There’s also the "Down Low" (DL) narrative that has haunted Black male celebrities for years. It’s a trope that suggests successful, masculine men are secretly gay but keep a wife for the image. It’s a tired stereotype, honestly. While some people in Hollywood certainly do live that way, applying it to LL Cool J usually requires ignoring decades of very public, very consistent behavior.
The Facts vs. The Fiction
Let's break it down simply.
- Sexual Orientation: LL Cool J has never identified as gay or bisexual.
- Relationship Status: He is currently married to Simone Smith (since 1995).
- Children: He has one son and three daughters.
- Public Stance: He has generally ignored rumors, choosing to focus on his work on NCIS: Los Angeles and his jewelry business with his wife.
The internet loves a mystery, but sometimes there just isn't one. LL is a guy who figured out early on that the female gaze was just as profitable as the "street" gaze. He marketed himself to women, which made him a massive star, but also made him a target for guys who felt that wasn't "alpha" enough.
Moving Past the Gossip
At the end of the day, LL Cool J is a hip-hop pioneer who transitioned into a powerhouse actor and entrepreneur. Whether he’s rocking a Kangol hat or a tailored suit at the Grammys, his personal life has remained remarkably stable for someone who’s been in the spotlight since he was a teenager.
If you’re still wondering about his orientation, the most "expert" take is usually the simplest one: believe people when they show you who they are. LL has shown us a devoted husband and father for three decades. That’s a lot of commitment for a "cover-up."
Practical Steps for Following Celebrity News:
- Check the Source: Memoirs by former associates are often designed to sell books rather than provide objective truth.
- Look for Patterns: A long-term, stable marriage with shared business ventures (like the Smiths' Majesty jewelry line) is usually a strong indicator of a genuine partnership.
- Differentiate Style from Identity: Being fashion-conscious or "pretty" doesn't equate to sexual orientation.