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Nicole Murphy Spotted Kissing Lela Rochon’s Husband of 20 Years Antoine Fuqua in Italy

Jul 23, 2019

12:45 P.M.

Eddie Murphy’s ex-wife Nicole Murphy and film director Antoine Fuqua were spotted locking lips multiple times in Italy, but the former model claims there was nothing to it. The whole situation is even messier because Fuqua is married to actress Lela Rochon and another celebrity is calling out Nicole.

Photos of Nicole and Fuqua kissing surfaced some hours ago, sending ripples across the internet as fans wondered what was going on.

Lela Rochon & husband Antoine Fuqua at the CBC Spouses 17th Annual Celebration of Leadership in the Fine Arts on Sep. 18, 2013 in Washington, DC. |Photo: Getty Images

The Shade Room published the images, which show Nicole in a colorful bikini and sheer white robe left undone and the “Training Day” director in nothing but a blue towel tied around his waist and a baseball cap.

Both Nicole and Fuqua held coffee mugs as they shared one kiss and appeared to lean in for another while sitting on lounge beds. In the second kiss shot, Nicole had ditched her white robe.

Antoine Fuqua & Nicole Murphy at the after party for HBO's "What's My Name: Muhammad Ali" on May 08, 2019 in Los Angeles. |Photo: Getty Images

WHERE WAS THE PICTURE TAKEN?

According to PEOPLE, the photos were taken on Saturday in Ischia, Italy where the pair planned to attend the Ischia Global Festival. Fuqua is reportedly being honored with a “Director of The Year” award at the event.

Although Nicole has been known to be single after breaking things off with Good Morning America‘s Michael Strahan in 2014, Fuqua has been married to Rochon since 1999.

KNOWN RELATIONSHIPS

The “Olympus Has Fallen” director and “Waiting To Exhale” star share two children: daughter Asia, 16, and son Brando, 15, while Fuqua also has a son from a previous relationship.

Nicole, 51, was married to famous comic Eddie from 1993 to 2006 and the exes share five children: son Miles, 26, and daughters Bria, 19; Shayne, 24; Zola, 19; and Bella, 17.

NICOLE MURPHY SPEAKS OUT

Reps for Nicole, Fuqua, 55, and Rochon, 55, did not immediately respond to the outlet’s request for comment, but Nicole later explained exclusively to Love B.Scott.

According to the jewelry designer:

“Antoine and I are just family friends. I ran into him in Italy and we exchanged a friendly hello and that was it.”

Antoine Fuqua & Lela Rochon pose with their children at a screening of "Olympus Has Fallen" in New York City on Mar. 11, 2013. |Photo: Getty Images

DAMAGE CONTROL?

Understandably, Nicole’s claim doesn’t exactly add up, especially because she was photographed locking lips with Fuqua more than once.

Meanwhile, Rochon and her husband have deleted their social media pages, according to MadameNoire. The actress still posted a photo with Fuqua in February, calling him her husband.

The Jasmine Brand also notes that Nicole has limited those who can comment on her Instagram posts since the controversial photos surfaced.

NICOLE GETS CALLED OUT

Further strengthening speculations that Nicole and Fuqua were up to something more than just “a friendly hello,” actress LisaRaye McCoy stepped in The Shade Room’s comment section, implying that this is not the first time Nicole is getting up-close and personal with a married man.

“Gurl [Nicole Murphy] you went after [Lela Rochon’s] husband too?” LisaRaye wrote. “Smh so wrong… again!!!”

We’ll be keeping our ears to the ground on this one as the story develops.