Whoopi Goldberg is Choosing the Single Life, and Black Women Are Here For It

Whoopi Goldberg has rarely missed an opportunity to speak candidly about her views on love and relationships. Now, her most recent revelation about dating speaks to a growing trend that more and more Black women are choosing. Let’s talk about it!

If you missed it, “The View” host recently aired her thoughts during a new interview on the “Baby, This Is Keke Palmer” podcast. During her chat with Palmer, she discussed her famous 2016 quote about not wanting anyone living in her house. Goldberg said she still feels that way 10 years later, telling the “One of Them Days” star that a large part of it has to do with her aversion to fitting into society’s standard of having a relationship that makes you feel fulfilled.

“People want you to believe that you need to be in a relationship…I am in a relationship with my family. They drop their stuff everywhere; they do all the stuff. You know? I don’t need somebody I just met 10 years ago—I don’t need them in the house. I’m barely dealing with all the family in the house,” Goldberg said.

Related: You Have to Read Whoopi Goldberg’s Hilarious Life Update

She went on to explain that the main reason she’s not in a committed romantic relationship is that she doesn’t want to have to think about a partner’s needs or answer any of their questions. Instead, she prefers the person she’s dealing with to have their own spot, adding that she’s not looking to “complete anyone.”

“That’s not what I need. I need to do me. And I need not to feel bad or to make myself less than in order to make you feel better,” Goldberg explained in part. “Lots of people let themselves be diminished by their partner, and I don’t think that’s a good thing for anybody. And this is one of the reasons, for me, why I don’t mind being not attached. I’m OK being not attached ’cause I love lots of people.”

Later, Goldberg shared that she tried marriage several times but had concerns that she was “doing it wrong” until she finally realized that the only thing she was doing wrong was trying to be who her partner wanted her to be rather than her true self.

And while “The Color Purple” star’s candor may be comical and blunt, her choice to stay single isn’t a foreign concept in today’s dating landscape. In fact, according to a 2023 report from Pew Research, over 60 percent of single women say they are not actively looking for a relationship and that they’re happier single. That study also showed that nearly half of U.S. women under 50 believe marriage isn’t essential to a fulfilling life. Additionally, a 2019 report from Morgan Stanley forecasts that by 2030, 45 percent of women aged 25 to 44 will be single.

If you take one scroll on social media, you’ll see countless Black women supporting these numbers and explaining why they’re actively choosing to be single.

TikTok user Pamela Okyere explained why choosing to be single after years of being in relationships just to fit into societal expectations. Now, she’s making different decisions – including moving alone to a new country – and is determined to live life on her own terms.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for the relationships that I’ve had. Especially my last relationship, I learned so much about myself. But I’ve known for years that motherhood isn’t for me personally…but because it’s not the normal path. I kept pushing that version of me aside. Until now,” she explained in part.

User Lori, who’s over 60, reframed the concept of “choosing singledom” as being “self-partnered” and a choice of peace.

“I choose peace over chaos. I don’t bother me. I don’t leave the toilet seat up at night. I’m not confused about what I want to eat. If I want to eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich at 10 p.m., that’s what I’m gon’ do,” she explained in part. “I don’t have to worry that I cooked a full course meal and somebody comes in the house and says ‘I’m not hungry.’ I don’t have to wash dirty underwear…I don’t have to raise an adult man.”

On TikTok, Snow questioned why some men are getting upset with Black women who have ultimately realized that they’d rather be alone than deal with problematic behaviors from potential partners.

“Are y’all really upset that a Black woman has finally chosen peace over a piece of man? Finally! She finally realizes that she doesn’t want to pick up the slack where you lack. She finally realizes that with all the abuse, cheating, narcissistic behavior, and DL men that she can do bad all by herself,” she said.

For what it’s worth, these women aren’t alone in being vocal about choosing to be single. Stars like Oprah, Shonda Rhimes, Tracee Ellis Ross and others have espoused similar sentiments, making it clear that Black women everywhere are redefining what happiness looks like.