At 59, Cheryl “Salt” James Confirms What We All Thought

Cheryl “Salt” James, one half of the iconic hip-hop duo Salt-N-Pepa, has finally broken her silence about the end of her 28-year marriage to Gavin Ray, confirming long-standing rumors and giving fans a glimpse into the personal struggles she faced behind the scenes.

Salt’s marriage to Gavin Ray was once seen as one of hip-hop’s rare enduring love stories. At the height of her fame in the early 1990s, Salt was redefining what it meant to be a woman in rap, while Gavin seemed to provide the stability and support she needed.

Together, they appeared to be the perfect couple—attending industry events, raising a family, and weathering the storms of celebrity life.

But behind closed doors, things were far from perfect. Salt recently revealed that the breakup of her marriage was traumatic and the divorce process took four years, leaving her in a very dark place.

The most shocking revelation came after their split, when Gavin came out as gay. For Salt, who dedicated nearly three decades to her marriage, this truth forced her to reevaluate everything she thought she knew about her life and relationship.

Salt admits there were signs and unspoken tensions in the final years, but nothing could prepare her for the reality of the situation. The revelation not only shattered her sense of partnership but also made her question her own self-worth and choices.

As she explained, “I was just sick and tired of being sick and tired,” describing how she lost herself trying to keep the marriage together.

The emotional fallout was compounded by professional challenges. At the same time Salt was dealing with her divorce, her group was embroiled in controversy, with DJ Spinderella filing a lawsuit over unpaid royalties and feeling sidelined from the group’s legacy.

The combination of public scrutiny and private heartbreak could have broken anyone, but Salt chose to face her pain head-on.

Therapy, faith, and the support of her close friends—especially her Salt-N-Pepa partner Sandra “Pepa” Denton—helped Salt begin to heal. She focused on rediscovering herself outside of her marriage, learning to take up space in her own life after years of making herself small.

Salt also had to navigate the delicate balance of co-parenting with Gavin, protecting her children from the public nature of their split while striving to maintain a healthy family dynamic.

Salt’s journey wasn’t just about recovering from a failed marriage. It was about reclaiming her identity, setting boundaries, and being honest about her struggles.

She’s become more open about her battles with body image, industry pressures, and the sacrifices she made for her career and family.

Now, at 59, Salt stands as a testament to resilience and authenticity. She’s used her platform to spark important conversations about women’s experiences in the entertainment industry and beyond.

By sharing her story, she has inspired others to embrace their truth and find strength in vulnerability. Salt’s legacy isn’t just her music—it’s her courage to break the silence and confirm what so many suspected: she was always more than just somebody’s wife; she’s a survivor and a pioneer.

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