Omarion may be one of R&B’s most desirable men, but he abstained from sex for three years at the height of his career.
The singer stopped by André Duqum’s Know Thyself podcast on Tuesday (August 20) and reflected on the ways in which his celibacy journey has affected his mental, physical and spiritual health.
“That was an interesting time,” he said. “I kinda took it on as a challenge … When I decided to become celibate, it was because I was really just searching for something more for myself.
“At the time, I was practicing Christianity. I was really studying my Bible and ultimately it wasn’t for me, but it allowed me to kinda step out of this world and have the responsibility of being a sex symbol and a young adult.
“In hindsight, it was preparing me for my contribution to music, me being integral in my words and what I’m saying — not having to live a double life.”
Omarion also addressed the bemused reactions over his decision: “At that time, it was very weird for some people. A lot of people would be like, ‘He’s young, he’s on top of the world, he just put out a number one album. You ain’t out here fucking these hoes?’ And I’m like, ‘Nah!’ It’s more to life than that.
“I just found myself in that position of wanting to understand my energy and give myself time to grow. And also I knew that if I could control two areas of my life, which is food and the urge of sex, then nothing can stop me.”
The former B2K star later joked about discovering that another sex symbol musician has also been practicing celibacy for years: “And then I come to find out that Lenny Kravitz has been celibate for however long! I’m like, ‘Wow!’ That’s a different glow.”
Check out his comments at the 20:11 mark below.
Omarion isn’t the first R&B figure to recently share their experiences with celibacy.
Last month, Mya spoke about how foregoing sex for seven years improved her life in various ways.
“Mental clarity. Just doing without. It shifted my mindset. It was no longer a focus,” she explained. “The rush to be in a relationship, the rush to be married, the rush to be in something because that’s what you’re taught to do — to have kids or procreate. There’s a lot of pressure on women to be able to do that.
“Also feeling valid. Why are we taught that we have to be taken or made an ‘honest’ woman — am I lying? I think love is beautiful, I think the world always needs more of it, but you must start with yourself.”
Not everyone is supportive or understanding when it comes to celibacy, though.
Earlier this year, Ice-T failed to hide his bemusement at Lenny Kravitz’s sex-free lifestyle after the rock star shared the revelation in a magazine interview.
“9yrs without sex? F that BS. Weirdo shit,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter) while reacting to the news, though he later deleted the post.
When another user argued that it’s Lenny’s personal choice, Ice replied: “F that Journey…. lol,” before adding: “Hey…If you’re a Guy and you can voluntarily go 9yrs without sex…You’re following the wrong page.”