Nicole Murphy: WebExclusive

Nicole on marriage…

When I met Eddie I was very independent, modeling and traveling, not even thinking about marriage. I knew I wanted to get married one day and have children. I honestly thought I would only have two children at the most. I never would have thought I would have had five. I considered marriage to be everlasting. You would have never told me I was going to get divorced—ever. But things change. You grow older and more mature, you see things differently and if you’re not happy, then it’s over.

Nicole on meeting Eddie…

Eddie saw me at the NAACP Awards and wanted to meet me. He sent one of the guys that worked for him over to get my phone number. I said to myself, ‘Wow, that’s Eddie Murphy trying to talk to me! He’s interested in me—that’s a big deal.’ I didn’t chase after Eddie because my mother always told me not to chase after men because they like the one they can’t get. So, he came after me.

Nicole on why she married Eddie…

I was madly in love with this man and we had two beautiful children. Of course I wanted to be his wife. I was in shock when he asked me to marry him because he had been known to say that he was going to be a bachelor forever. I would never bring up marriage with him because I always felt if the man wants to marry me, then he’s going to ask me.

Nicole on her future with Eddie…

I would love for Eddie and I to be friends and communicate as friends do, particularly in front of the children because I think it’s important that they see that. Right now, we have no communication because he’s angry because I’m stepping out on my own. I guess he thought I was going to step out and be quiet. Hopefully he’ll move on with his life and meet someone and that she’s a wonderful person to both him and my children. I would like that for him.

Nicole on what’s next for her…

I’m still trying to figure it out because it’s all very new. It’s like starting over. But as long as I’m happy, which I am, that’s what’s important. Once I get stable, I would like to do charitable work with my children for children who are less fortunate. I think it’s important for them to learn not to take things for granted.

Nicole on building her dream home…

Over the past four years I put my time and energy into building a 35,000 square foot home in Beverly Park from the ground up. I dealt with the contractors and the architects and contributed my own ideas. The house is a hybrid of what I love, with influences of Morocco, Italy and the Mediterranean. It’s beautiful, absolutely gorgeous, but that’s not enough to make me happy. I probably slept there only six times before I left and moved out.