Rochelle Humes has admitted that her husband Marvin Humes would have been “cancelled” had he made the move he did when they first met today, describing it as “creepy”. In a candid conversation on the Great Company podcast, the 37-year-old former Saturdays singer opened up about their unconventional start to their relationship and how Marvin’s actions, though now a sweet memory, might be seen differently in today’s social climate.
The ‘Creepy’ First Move
Rochelle and Marvin, who have now been married for 14 years and share three children, Alaia Mai (12), Valentina (9), and Blake (5), first met in 2010 when their respective bands, The Saturdays and JLS, performed in Dublin, Ireland. Rochelle was asked about their first encounter, which had been an oddly calculated move on Marvin’s part.
As podcast host Jamie Laing recalled, “So apparently he took your phone, put his number in it, called himself, and that’s how you started connecting?” Rochelle immediately responded with “How weird is that?”, adding that the gesture would be considered “creepy” today.
In the interview, Rochelle explained that Marvin had requested that their two bands be seated next to each other at an afterparty in a club, which gave him the opportunity to get close to her. The moment she left her bag unattended, Marvin took the chance to grab her phone and secretly add his contact information.
“Who isn’t raised to know that you never go through a woman’s handbag?” Rochelle laughed. She continued: “His dad is horrified at this story, you can imagine. He’s like, ‘I trained him better than this.’”
The Proposal, The Call, and The ‘Ick’
Rochelle had no idea that Marvin had taken such a bold step until later that evening, when she received a call from an unknown number. When she answered, it was Marvin on the line, in what Rochelle described as a “toe-curling” moment.
He introduced himself: “Hi, it’s Marvin.” Rochelle added with a laugh, “He’ll be so angry that he’s not here to defend himself because he thinks he didn’t ever put that voice on, but I promise you he did.”
Marvin then asked Rochelle to meet him in his hotel room, to which she politely declined. He reassured her, claiming it was simply for a casual hangout, but Rochelle wasn’t interested at the time. “It was then like the odd message was exchanged,” Rochelle said. “He was saying, ‘We’ve got to go for dinner. I’d love to take you out.’”
Though initially hesitant, Rochelle finally agreed to go out with Marvin, even though she was trying to find reasons not to like him. Her friends were quick to tell her that Marvin seemed sweet, and it wasn’t long before she gave him a chance.
Their first date was remarkably low-key, with the pair going to a McDonald’s drive-thru to avoid being recognized by fans. “I had a Filet-O-Fish, no cheese, and an apple pie,” Rochelle remembered. “We were just driving around Wembley because we wanted to chat in his fancy car. It was quite sweet though.”
The Sweetness and The ‘Ick’ Factor
Despite the unconventional beginning, Rochelle explained that Marvin’s openness and honesty won her over. “He felt really normal and I really honest and he was just so transparent about how he felt about me and it wasn’t an ick,” she said. When Marvin expressed how sure he was about their future, Rochelle felt strangely comfortable with his certainty.
“When I think about it, he was saying, ‘We’re getting married,’ and I was like, ‘Okay.’ It didn’t freak me out,” she admitted. True to his word, Marvin was right: the pair did get married in 2012, and their relationship has since flourished.
Rochelle’s Parenting and Household Help
While reflecting on her family life, Rochelle also shared how she juggles work, parenting, and household responsibilities. She revealed that she employs a household helper six days a week, who assists with daily tasks and school pickups while she and Marvin are busy with their respective careers. “I don’t want to sit on podcasts like this and act like I don’t have help – we have help!” Rochelle clarified.
She went on to explain that while Marvin is often at his radio show, the helper is a vital part of their household management, allowing Rochelle to focus on her career and children. “I have a woman who is with me Monday to Saturday morning, and she is incredible and helps to hold the fort down,” Rochelle said.
However, Rochelle revealed that telling her mother, Roz Wiseman, about having help was a bit of a challenge. “I was so nervous to tell my mum I was getting help,” Rochelle admitted. “The first response from her was, ‘No one’s looking after my grandkids but me.’”
Despite her mother’s initial reluctance, Rochelle said she has come to terms with the need for support in her busy life and now feels empowered by the decision to have help at home.
A Relationship Built on Love and Laughter
Rochelle and Marvin Humes’ journey from awkward first encounters to a loving marriage and three children has been full of humor, honesty, and growth. Despite Marvin’s “creepy” first move, their relationship has stood the test of time, proving that sometimes the most unexpected beginnings can lead to the happiest endings.
