Raymond Santana Reflects On Why His Marriage To Deelishis Didn’t Work
Raymond Santana is shedding new light on his marriage to Deelishis, and he’s not holding back. The journey of Raymond Santana, a member of the Exonerated Five, has been one of public interest, and during a recent appearance on the All Eyes On E podcast, he got candid about why their union didn’t last.
The Harlem native, who famously survived one of the most significant wrongful convictions in modern history, spoke on the emotional weight of a relationship where partners aren’t evolving together. “Who I am and what I stand for, it can’t survive in this space,” he shared. “Then, for me, I had to understand when it was over, it was over. And I think that was the realist thing for 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.’”
That’s a heavy statement, and it resonates with anyone who has tried to force a connection that no longer fits where they are spiritually and emotionally.
For context, Santana filed for divorce from Chandra “Deelishis” Davis in March 2022 after two years together. Court documents cited the marriage as “irretrievably broken with no hope of reconciliation,” noting they had been separated since late 2021.
When pressed on what he meant, he explained their core values were different. “I’m more traditional. She’s not traditional,” he said. “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.” He added, “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.”
That part right there is layered. Santana is speaking from a place of recognizing that you can’t force someone to grow with you. It highlights the painful disconnect that happens when two people are on different paths. He wasn’t aiming to disrespect her; he was being honest about their reality. The love they started with couldn’t keep up with who they were individually becoming. Sometimes, acknowledging that and walking away is the most mature move of all.
Inside Raymond Santana’s “Traditional vs. Non-Traditional” Perspective
When Santana mentioned being “more traditional,” it wasn’t about control or outdated roles. For a man whose life has been defined by survival and seeking peace, “traditional” likely translates to stability, partnership, and mutual growth. He emphasized that he didn’t demand change from Deelishis but expected a natural evolution that comes with maturity and commitment. It’s a powerful reminder that a successful relationship requires both partners to be actively invested in their own self-work and in the shared journey.
[efb_feed fanpage_id=”BlackCosmopolitan” words_limit=”25″ post_limit=”1″ skin_id=”115759″ cache_unit=”1″ cache_duration=”days” live_stream_only=”0″ load_more=”0″ links_new_tab=”1″ show_like_box=”0″]
Disclaimer:
For Education and discussion purposes. Please note no copyright infringement is intended, was recorded on BlkCosmo’s own equipment, and we do not own nor claim to own any of the original recordings used in this video and intend to use this as ‘fair use’.
