Pam Andrews, the South African actress who rose to fame in 2001 after her success on "Coca-Cola Popstars", has recently shared more about her unconventional relationship with her husband, shedding light on their open marriage and why they choose to live separately.
In a social media post, the seasoned actress opened up about her 11-year marriage, revealing that she and her husband don't live together and have an open marriage. "Me and my husband have been married for 11 years now, we don’t live together and we have an open marriage. It just works for us," Andrews shared.
The actress, who, despite being a household name, left acting a few years ago and is currently living in London with her son, CJ, explained the reasoning behind their unique arrangement. "Because, as soon as we are under one roof, we are just fighting and driving each other crazy," she confessed, giving insight into the challenges they faced when living together.
Andrews also provided an example of family trips, saying: “Even if we plan a trip two months ahead of time, we end up arguing well before it’s time to leave.”
And for the sake of their family and their own well-being, Andrews and her husband decided that living apart was the answer. "For the sake of the kids and the sake of our sanity, we choose to just ‘ha’, not live together and it’s perfect, and it works out for everyone," she said.
But Andrews' relationship choice might be unconventional, yet it’s far from rare. The concept of open marriages and living separately is gaining attention, with many couples exploring non-traditional arrangements.
According to recent studies, about 4 to 5% of married couples in the UK and the US reportedly have open marriages, though some experts believe the number may be higher due to couples keeping it under wraps.
Psychologically, couples in open marriages or those who choose to live separately often do so to maintain individuality and personal freedom while still honouring their commitment to each other. Psychologists suggest that this arrangement can relieve relationship pressure, especially in the early years of marriage, and allow for better communication.
This arrangement aligns with the concept of "Living Apart Together" (LAT), where couples maintain separate residences while nurturing emotional closeness. Psychological studies suggest that LAT can offer advantages such as increased independence and personal space, contributing to better mental health for some individuals.
Andrews’ openness about her relationship reflects a growing trend towards more flexible, personalised approaches to love and marriage.
In a world where there’s no one-size-fits-all blueprint for romance, her journey shows that happiness and harmony can look different for everyone.