Let’s rewind. Raymond Santana, a member of the Exonerated 5, met the “Flavor of Love” alum Deelishis (Chandra London Davis Charles) on Instagram back in 2019. What started with a few likes quickly escalated to wedding vows. Now, Deelishis initially said Santana kept her in the friend zone for two months. And let’s be real, with Santana having received a hefty $41 million wrongful-conviction settlement in 2016, plus an extra $500,000 in 2019, folks were side-eyeing their budding romance from the jump.
Despite the chatter, Raymond and Deelishis tied the knot in 2020. But it wasn’t meant to be, as they called it quits less than two years later. By November 2021, separation rumors were swirling. In March 2022, Deelishis didn’t hold back, publicly calling Santana a “liar,” “narcissist,” and “cheat.” The very next day, news broke that Santana had filed for divorce, citing an “irretrievably broken” marriage.
Raymond Santana Reflects on Divorcing His “Non-Traditional” Reality Star Wife
Fast forward nearly four years post-divorce, and Santana is finally spilling his guts about his union with Deelishis. On Emanny Salgado’s ‘All Eyes On E‘ podcast, alongside Marc Lamont Hill, Santana talked about divorcing his “untraditional” reality star wife. He shared:
“I had to understand when it was over, it was over. And I think that was the realist thing with me and her, when she came to me and said, ‘It’s hard being your wife. I have to be somebody who I’m not.’”
Hill pressed Santana to clarify what he meant by Deelishis being someone she wasn’t. Santana explained:
“Well, a wife. I’m more traditional. She’s not traditional. I didn’t ask her to make a lot of changes, but it comes to a certain point in your life with maturity that you make those changes on your own. And if I’m still growing and I don’t see you growing, and the kids are growing that are with us, then that doesn’t look right, you’re not a good example.”
Deelishis Snaps Back at Ex-Husband Raymond Santana
Deelishis wasn’t about to let Santana’s comments slide. She headed straight to Hollywood Unlocked’s comment section to give her ex a piece of her mind, writing:
“You would think after 3 years divorced a person would either speak the truth or say nothing at all … but hey what do I know 😌 but just to wrap this sideshow up quick ‘I did everything he said I did. I was a disgusting horrible wife and an even worse Mom. He suffered horribly the entire time. He couldn’t take my ‘non traditional’ childish behavior any longer. He put his foot down, packed his amazing bags & left! The end.’ May God forgive me and may God give him peace and comfort and a bright new journey.🤝”
When a user tried to give Deelishis some unsolicited advice about marriage and compromise, she wasn’t having it. The user commented:
“@iamsodeelishis Marriage is about compromising. However as time and things evolve so do people… If you want a marriage to work you just can’t give up on each other. However the mom part is crazy. I don’t know you personally but nobody as ever questioned your parenting …”
Deelishis promptly shut it down, clarifying:
“Thank you love but none of it is true lol I was being sarcastic but if I’m being honest, I don’t really care to analyze marriage nor being married to him any further. I was only clarifying that it’s over and done so let’s discuss something more relevant like the Epstein files or the gun laws in America or the crazy cost of healthcare.”
And let’s not forget sports journalist Jemele Hill’s sharp observation on Hollywood Unlocked’s post. She plainly stated what many were thinking: “You married a reality star… and you’re surprised she’s ‘not traditional?’ Ok buddy …”
What are your thoughts on this tea, BlkCosmo fam? Drop a comment below!
