From the 90s to the mid-2000s, Marques Houston was at the top of his game. He began his career as a member of the R&B group Immature, which eventually became known as IMx. He also became well-known for his leading role on the popular sitcom, Sister, Sister as an annoying neighborhood boy named Roger Evans.
Recently, Houston’s name has been brought up in a completely different context after the internet learned about his marriage to a 22-year-old woman, Miya Dickey. Not only is he nearly 20 years older than his fiancé, but the young woman refers to Houston’s former manager, Chris Stokes, as her ‘dad’. The controversy has sparked widespread interest in the singer/actor, and we’ve collected ten of them you should know.
1. He’s J-Boog’s Cousin
Since IMx and B2K were both managed by Chris Stokes, they have always been closely associated with one another. For years, there were rumors floating around that Marques Houston and B2K frontman, Omarion, were half brothers. While that isn’t true, Houston is related to another member of B2K. He and J-Boog, whose real name is Jarell Houston, are cousins.
2. He Dated Mila J
Before his contentious marriage, Marques had a few public relationships over the years, one of which was with singer, Mila J. She is also well known for being the elder sister of Jhene Aiko. All evidence suggests it was a short affair, but it wasn’t an unproductive one. Mila J and Marques also collaborated creatively for the 2006 song, Good Lookin’ Out. But like the relationship, the song quickly flamed out. It peaked at #64 on the US Billboard Hot R&B chart.
3. He Is Inspired By Old School Music
Even though Marques Houston is a veteran in the R&B game, he is inspired by many of the legendary veterans who came before him. He said, “A lot of my musical inspiration were the old school artists like Prince and Marvin Gaye…I’ve always been a huge Marvin Gaye fan.” Unfortunately, his music hasn’t reached the same heights as his idols. His most successful solo record, Veteran, peaked at #5 on the US Billboard 200.
4. He Has Written And Produced Movies And Shows
Most people are familiar with Houston for his work as an actor and singer, but he has also done plenty of work behind the scenes as a producer. He has written and produced multiple films and TV shows, including the TV mini-series Howard High and the film Running Out of Time. Most of his offscreen work is on TV, but one has appeared on the big screen. He co-wrote, produced, and starred in the 2012 dance-drama film, Battlefield America.
5. He Had A Voice Acting Role
The 1992 animated movie Bebe’s Kids has become a cult classic in the years since its release. When the movie came out, Marques was still at the beginning of his career and was not widely known. Nevertheless, he still landed a voice role in the film as Kahlil, one of the main characters. The film grossed $8.4 million worldwide.
6. He’s A Jehovah’s Witness
For much of his career, Marques Houston didn’t disclose his religious beliefs. In 2016, however, Marques announced that he had become a Jehovah’s Witness. Many people were taken aback by Houston’s decision, but most of his fans were supportive. He now regularly shares about his faith and appears to remain a committed believer.
7. He’s Shy
When you think of a shy person, you probably envision someone that avoids excessive attention at all costs. However, shyness can take on other forms. Marques Houston spent much of his formative years in the spotlight and although the intensity of attention has waned, remains a public figure. Regardless, Houston considers himself a shy person.
8. He Writes Music For Other Artists
Marques isn’t just a singer; he enjoys writing music as well. He told the Florida Atlantic University Press, “I always write. I write music for myself and for others.” He added, “I prefer to write more for other people. I think the music often turns out better when you can be creative for someone else. Sometimes when I write for myself, I tend to overthink it.”
9. His Mom Passed Away When He Was A Teenager
When he was still just a teenager, Marques Houston had to face the greatest tragedy of his life. His mother, Carolyn Houston, passed away in 1997 after a long battle with cancer. Houston dedicated his 2001 album, IMx, to his mother. In the liner notes, he said, “To my mother Carolyn Denise Houston, I want you to know, whether you are watching me or not, that I miss you, I think about you all the time, and you are always in my thoughts, mind, and heart.”
10. Marques and Miya Have Been Together Since She was 18
Marques’ return to the spotlight has been driven by his marriage to Miya Dickey. When the couple went public in October 2018, a rumor claimed the two had been together since she was 12. However, according to Houston, it’s false. In an Instagram post, he explained he met Miya in 2018, and they didn’t “start dating until she was an adult.”
In March 2019, five months after dating, the couple got engaged and married in a private ceremony at Eagle Glen Golf Club in Corona, California. They’ve since welcomed a daughter, Zara, who was born in 2021.
