We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, most of our favorite icons aren’t perfect, they’re simply perfectly flawed human beings, just like the rest of us. Diahann Carroll and Sidney Poitier are examples of that, although we still give them nothing but the utmost respect for all that they’ve done to contribute to the film and the TV industry throughout their decades in entertainment.
With that said, let’s dig into this 9 YEAR love affair between Poitier and Carroll, that Diahann Carroll publicly spoke about in her book. Apparently there were plenty of mistakes and painful moments from both parties during the time they were seeing one another without the knowledge of their spouses…
Via Entertainment Rundown: Carroll claims that Poitier persuaded her to divorce her husband Monte Kay, and that Poitier said he would leave his wife to be with her. When Carroll got her divorce, Poitier didn’t keep up his end of the bargain. Carroll said she dated another man out of frustration, which didn’t sit well with Poitier.
“Sidney called me at my hotel . . . ‘You b*tch, whore, tramp,’ he yelled. ‘I know he just left your bed. I won’t have you running around with other men. You belong to me!’” the New York Post quoted her as writing in the book.
She wrote that Poitier later told her he’d finally left his wife, Juanita Hardy. He even bought Carroll a ring and made her decorate a 10-room Riverside Drive apartment he’d bought.
“I was only home a few days when he called to say his wife was having second thoughts. Our wedding plans would have to be postponed,” wrote Carroll.
She added: “When the apartment was ready and I was about to move my daughter in with me, Sidney told me he didn’t want her there . . . He changed the locks so I couldn’t get in. Then he made me write him a check to offset his purchase and decorating costs. I did as I was told, submissive and desperate.”
Despite her decision to detail their affair, Carroll says Poitier, who did not comment on the book, continues to be her friend.
“Sidney and I are now friends. That’s a lovely thing that comes as you age – forgiveness and perhaps a relaxing of standards,” wrote Carroll.
Poitier went on to marry actress Joanna Shimkus, while Carroll married three more times, her last husband was singer Vic Damone.
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Diahann and Sidney were treading in dangerous waters back in the day, but every now and then we all have to fall into the ‘manholes’ and figure out how to climb out on our own. Sometimes people stay married for convenience, financial reasons, their children, etc., but end up having affairs to fulfill their desires. So my question is this ILOSM family: What do you think the best is choice is? To stay in a marriage for reasons other than one’s personal desires, or walk away to instead follow your heart?
-ILoveOldSchoolMusic, Old school news with a new point of view
