Donnie Wahlberg recently shared his thoughts on his 11-year marriage to Jenny McCarthy. In a conversation, he opened up about how their past relationship experiences influenced their current partnership. “We’ve both been divorced before, so we did a lot of individual therapy, and when we got together, we decided to do it together as a preventive measure,” he explained. He acknowledged that every new relationship can bring unexpected challenges and vulnerabilities.
Wahlberg mentioned that the dynamics of new romantic relationships often expose issues that might not surface in friendships or work. “It’s a different level of vulnerability,” he noted. Wahlberg and McCarthy began dating in July 2013 and tied the knot in August 2014. Both have children from previous marriages; Wahlberg has two sons from his marriage to Kimberly Faye, while McCarthy has a son, Evan, from her earlier marriage to John Asher.
Reflecting on McCarthy’s past, she revealed how difficult it was when her son’s autism diagnosis affected her marriage to Asher. “I felt really alone,” she recounted during an interview with Oprah Winfrey, expressing a lack of connection during that challenging time.
Wahlberg emphasized their commitment to prioritizing their relationship as they navigate parenting and other responsibilities. “We’ve learned from our first relationships,” he shared, stating that they aim to avoid the same mistakes. He pointed out the importance of trust and making their connection a priority, even amidst the complexities of parenthood.
He likened the situation to the airline safety advice of putting on your own mask before assisting your children. It’s a metaphor that resonates, as it highlights the need to care for the relationship without losing sight of individual and joint responsibilities.
He believes continuous effort is crucial. “Dating should always be fun,” he remarked, stressing that couples often become complacent as time passes. Wahlberg shared that curious engagement is vital to keeping the spark alive in a relationship.
Earlier this year, he recalled the moment he realized McCarthy was “the one.” He highlighted her understanding of his career, especially concerning his female fanbase. “When we started dating, I told her I’d need to stop for fans,” he explained, recalling how McCarthy was supportive of this aspect of his life.
McCarthy echoed similar sentiments about what makes their relationship work, emphasizing mutual respect, communication, and making time for each other. She noted that their partnership often acts as a mirror, helping them grow through shared challenges.
Professionally, Wahlberg is currently involved with a new show, “Boston Blue,” aiming to maintain themes of faith and family. He described the series as a significant opportunity to honor those values while continuing the legacy of “Blue Bloods.” He mentioned the potential for guest appearances from familiar faces, like Tom Selleck, which he hopes will enliven the new show.
“Boston Blue” airs on Fridays and will be available for streaming the following day. Wahlberg expressed his excitement about this new chapter, both personally and professionally, and is clearly dedicated to nurturing his relationship with McCarthy while pursuing his career.
