Richard Marx Reveals He Ignored Groupies During 1980s and 90s Fame
Singer-songwriter Richard Marx revealed today that despite experiencing the attention of numerous fans during his rise to fame in the 1980s and 90s, he actively chose to ignore them, prioritizing his relationship with then-girlfriend and future wife, Cynthia Rhodes.
In a recent interview, Marx explained that he was already dating Rhodes, star of “Dirty Dancing,” and didn’t want to be “a douchebag.” “I was already dating the woman who would become my first wife [‘Dirty Dancing’ star Cynthia Rhodes],” he said, “and we were together for almost 30 years.” He also noted a surprising sense of insecurity fueled his disinterest, recalling feeling like the same high school student girls previously ignored. This revelation offers a rare glimpse into the personal life of a pop icon navigating sudden fame.
Marx, who has penned 14 No. 1 singles and written songs for artists like Barbra Streisand and *NSYNC, also shared his approach to songwriting, stating he doesn’t believe in writer’s block. “If you have to write, then just write,” he advised. “Write. And even if you write s–t for ten minutes, somewhere along the way you’re going to stumble upon two bars that you go, well, that’s not bad.” He added that he hasn’t experienced a 24-hour period in over 40 years without a song idea entering his mind. You can learn more about his extensive career on his official website.
Marx divorced Rhodes in 2014 and is now married to MTV alum Daisy Fuentes, whom he describes as “crazy” lucky to be with. He is currently preparing for his debut at Café Carlyle in New York City, running from October 21–25, and has a new single, “Magic Hour,” featuring John Stamos on congas.
