Donnie Wahlberg, the former New Kids on the Block member and star of the long-running TV series ‘Blue Bloods,’ has candidly shared how his past relationship missteps have played a role in shaping his enduring marriage with Jenny McCarthy. In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Wahlberg described how his own experiences of being divorced before meeting McCarthy influenced their approach to their relationship. He explained that he and McCarthy focused on individual therapy before beginning their relationship and decided to engage in joint sessions to preemptively address vulnerabilities that might arise. He noted that while new relationships often bring out hidden insecurities, they have worked together to manage these issues through open communication and faith.
The couple began dating in July 2013 and married in August 2014. Wahlberg, who has two sons from his previous marriage to Kimberly Fey, and McCarthy, who has a son, Evan, from her marriage to John Asher, have both experienced personal and familial challenges in their past relationships. McCarthy, a former Playboy model, was married to Asher from 2000 to 2005, a period during which their son was diagnosed with autism. McCarthy previously said that the diagnosis caused stress in their marriage and that she felt isolated in her efforts to care for him. Wahlberg and McCarthy have since made a commitment to prioritize their relationship and each other’s well-being, even amid the demands of their careers and parenthood.
In the interview, Wahlberg also shared his perspective on what makes a relationship work, emphasizing the need for mutual respect, open communication, and consistent effort. He recalled a key moment when he first recognized McCarthy as the right partner: she didn’t get jealous of his fan base, even when he would interact with a different fan at the end of every show. The moment he realized she was “the one” came when she willingly participated in all of the fan interactions with him and accepted the role of his sidekick. He described it as a defining moment in his journey and a testament to their enduring partnership.
Wahlberg also discussed his current project, the ‘Blue Bloods’ spinoff titled ‘Boston Blue’, which premiered on October 17 on CBS. He described it as a great opportunity to keep the Reagan legacy alive and to showcase a law enforcement family. The show, which stars him as Detective Danny Reagan, features new challenges for the character as he navigates being a dad on the police department for the first time. He expressed hope to collaborate with some of the original cast members, including Tom Selleck, and emphasized the importance of the show in carrying forward the themes of faith, family, and tradition that have defined the ‘Blue Bloods’ series.