Actress and singer Tisha Campbell has revisited her teenage relationship with rock star Lenny Kravitz, recalling that the pair began dating when they were just 16 years old. The story has renewed interest in a little-known chapter of the entertainers’ lives before either became a household name.
During an appearance on Sherri, host Sherri Shepherd expressed surprise after bringing up Campbell’s past romance with Kravitz. Campbell confirmed that they had dated as teenagers, emphasising how young they were when the relationship began.
“We were kids. We were like teenagers when we dated. Literal teenagers. 16-year-olds,”
Tisha Campbell, speaking on Sherri
Campbell responded humorously to the audience’s reaction, joking that the revelation had affected the image people had of her. “This is why I don’t tell people,” she said, adding that she had maintained her “street cred” before the audience learned about the romance.
The television appearance was not the first time Campbell had discussed the relationship. In a 2023 appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show, she identified Kravitz as her first boyfriend, a detail that helped explain why the teenage romance remains a memorable part of her personal history.
How Their Teenage Romance Began
Kravitz also reflected on meeting Campbell in his 2020 memoir, Let Love Rule. He recalled their early connection after meeting during an audition for the stage production The Me Nobody Knows. His account describes an immediate attraction that developed into a relationship while they were both still young.
Their relationship took place before Kravitz rose to international fame as a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He later became known for hits including Fly Away, Are You Gonna Go My Way and It Ain’t Over ’til It’s Over, while building a career that also included acting and producing.
Two Careers That Took Different Paths
Campbell became widely recognised for her television work, particularly her portrayal of Gina Waters-Payne on the sitcom Martin and her role in My Wife and Kids. She has also worked as a singer, comedian and stage performer.
Kravitz went on to become one of the most recognisable figures in rock music, earning multiple Grammy Awards and developing a distinctive sound that blends rock, funk and soul. His personal life also drew public attention, including his marriage to actress Lisa Bonet, with whom he shares daughter Zoë Kravitz.
Although their teenage relationship ended decades ago, Campbell’s recollections offer a reminder that both entertainers shared a personal connection long before fame placed their lives under public scrutiny. For fans, the story adds an unexpected layer to the histories of two performers whose careers later followed very different creative paths.
Sources
- Complex: Tisha Campbell Remembers Dating Lenny Kravitz
- The Jennifer Hudson Show: Campbell Discusses Her First Boyfriend
- GQ: Lenny Kravitz Discusses His Memoir, Let Love Rule
Photo licensing: Tisha Campbell image by Valder Beebe Show, CC BY 3.0; Lenny Kravitz image by Punx, CC BY-SA 4.0. Images are credited in their captions.