Adrienne Bailon at 40: The Truth About Her Marriage, Motherhood, and Blended Family

At 40, Adrienne Bailon has opened up about her journey to finding true love, embracing motherhood, and navigating life in a blended family. The singer and television host first met gospel musician Israel Houghton in 2013 at a church event.

Their connection grew over the years, and they collaborated on the film “I’m in Love with a Church Girl.”

However, it wasn’t until 2016 that their relationship turned romantic, following Israel’s divorce from his first wife, Meleasa, after over 20 years of marriage.

Israel publicly admitted to failings in his previous marriage, which led to speculation that Adrienne was involved in their breakup. Adrienne, however, has always maintained her innocence, clarifying that Israel’s divorce was handled discreetly and finalized before they began dating.

She explained on “The Real” that the divorce was filed under initials, which confused many looking for public records.

After a few months of dating, Adrienne and Israel got married. They have since spoken openly about the realities of marriage. Adrienne believes in “surrendering” to the journey of marriage, accepting that things may not always go as planned but embracing each moment.

The couple shares responsibilities at home, with each taking the lead on different days, and they both contribute to household chores—though Israel admits laundry is Adrienne’s domain.

A key to their strong marriage, Adrienne says, is the deep friendship they built before becoming a couple. This foundation has helped them weather challenges and grow together, not just as partners but also as parents.

Adrienne has been candid about her struggles with infertility, revealing that her journey to motherhood was long and emotionally taxing. She underwent multiple rounds of IVF and faced repeated disappointments before finally welcoming her son, Ever James, via surrogate in August 2022.

Adrienne has described the pain and hope of her fertility journey, sharing that she gained over 20 pounds during the process and faced heartbreak after heartbreak.

Despite the difficulties, she never lost faith, believing that motherhood would happen in God’s timing. The arrival of Ever James brought immense joy and gratitude to the couple, strengthening their bond even further.

Israel Houghton, already a father to six children from previous relationships, is now also a grandfather. His children have pursued their own paths, with some following in his musical footsteps.

Adrienne has embraced her role as a stepmother, building close relationships with Israel’s children, especially his daughters Milan Lily and Mariah. She has celebrated their milestones publicly and even involved Mariah in her business as a creative director.

Adrienne’s openness about her journey—from the pain of infertility to the joys of motherhood and the complexities of blended families—has resonated with many.

She continues to hope for more children and remains optimistic about the future. Her story is one of resilience, faith, and the power of love in all its forms.