Did Marlon Wayans and Essence Atkins date? Actress sets the record straight on false rumors

Essence Atkins has collaborated on multiple projects with Marlon Wayans and other Wayans family members. She appeared in The Wayans Bros., A Haunted House movies, A Dance Flick, Poppa’s House, and more. Atkins also played the Scary Movie star’s ex-wife in NBC’s Marlon, which ran for two seasons.

The actors have shared a professional relationship for years, but the duo has also been the subject of several dating rumors. Recently, Essence Atkins appeared on Effective Immediately, a SiriusXM radio show hosted by DJ Hed & Gina Views, and put an end to the speculations around her rumored relationship with Marlon Wayans.

Atkins asserted that she has never dated Marlon Wayans while displaying her displeasure towards the rumors,

“I don't like when people say like me and Marlon dated. Never happened! Never happened! One of the reasons that I get so upset about it is because it undermines the fact that we are such good friends and he has warred for me, he has championed me, he has advocated for me just based on [general principle], just based on love, brother-sister love, and it does exist, and it can exist.”

She also mentioned that she has a sibling bond with Marlon Wayans. She proclaimed that her connection with the Little Man actor was platonic and continued,

“Everybody who's single and attractive does not have to sleep together. And the more that you realize that, and the reason again that I get upset about undermining what the true history between he and I is, is because I feel like it doesn't encourage people to have wisdom.”

Essence Atkins considers Marlon Wayans as her brother

Setting the record straight by refuting the false rumors, the Half & Half actress reflected upon her relationship with the White Chicks star. Atkins explained how people making assumptions about her and Wayans’ dating lives was not wise. She continued,

“If I had been Reckless enough. I mean the man is very handsome and very talented and is an incredible human being, but I also know he's not my person. And if I hadn't had wisdom and discernment to know that he's not my person I would have forfeited how many projects.”

Essence added how she would jeopardize her career as well by not acting wisely,

“How much money would I have let go of for a fun night or two or three, like, nah! I’d rather get that paper and have fun with my boy, my friend, my brother [Marlon]. That's who he is to me and I have gained all of these other brothers because of it, you know.”

Essence Atkins, who has been a part of multiple projects featuring the Wayans family members, previously lauded them for creating “such a collaborative environment.” She told People Magazine a few months back,

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“They really do invite true collaboration. They don't need credit. They don't require a kind of hierarchy. They just want to know, ‘Well, what do you think is funny?’ And if you think it's funny, then try it. And if it works, we'll use it. And if it doesn't, we'll keep trying until we find the absolute best moment. And that is such an incredibly liberating feeling.”

Essence is currently a part of the primary cast on Poppa’s House, which stars Damon Wayans Sr. and Jr. as titular Poppa and Junior. Recently, Marlon Wayans also appeared as a guest on the show on Episode 14 (titled Malvin). He portrayed the onscreen brother of his real-life sibling.

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