Brian Austin Green has opened up about a previously undisclosed chapter in his dating life, revealing that he dated Tichina Arnold when they were both rising television stars in their twenties. This revelation, which emerged during a recent podcast episode, adds another layer to the ongoing discussion about Brian Austin Green dating history.
Green Reflects on Their Quiet Relationship During Their TV Careers
Brian Austin Green, well known for his iconic role as David Silver on “Beverly Hills, 90210,” discussed his relationship with Tichina Arnold during his appearance on Deon Cole’s Funny Knowing You podcast, which aired in January 2026. According to Green, he met Arnold while filming “90210,” when Arnold was starring in the hit comedy “Martin,” with both shows airing on Fox. Their introduction reportedly stemmed from collaborating on music, a shared passion that eventually led the pair to begin dating.
Green explained that their relationship remained secret at Arnold’s request, sharing that she was direct from the start about keeping things under wraps due to the social climate of the time. As he remembered, it was a period when openness about interracial relationships, especially among public figures, sometimes met with reluctance and pressure. Green described being drawn to women who shared his love of hip-hop, saying,
“dating majority Black women at the time, because we had common interests.”
— Brian Austin Green, Actor
He also insisted that his relationships at the time were not the result of deliberate choices based on racial background, adding,
“conscious choice of ‘I want to date someone culturally who’s different.'”
— Brian Austin Green, Actor
Despite their growing bond, Green admitted the secrecy took an emotional toll, causing him to feel isolated and undervalued. He opened up about this struggle, recalling,
“She was very clear on Day 1 [that] nobody can know about this. And so I was in my early 20s. I was living in a culture that wasn’t accepting of me. But there was no way to get out of it because that was just where my brain and my heart were,” he said.
— Brian Austin Green, Actor
He continued by emphasizing the insecurity that developed from hiding their relationship:
“So, I was really insecure. And then I have someone who I’m attracted to who’s telling me like, ‘Oh, you can’t tell anybody.’ I think for me, it really triggered something like, ‘Oh, OK. I’m not good enough for any of this. You don’t even want your friends to know that you’re hanging out with me.’”
— Brian Austin Green, Actor
Although Green said that Arnold became more comfortable with their relationship over time, he admitted the initial secrecy caused a lasting sense that their romance never had the opportunity to develop in a healthy, open way. In his words,
“didn’t even start in a healthy way.”
— Brian Austin Green, Actor
Despite this, Green expressed ongoing support and affection for Arnold following their breakup, stating,
“That’s my girl. I will always have her back. She has always had my back.”
— Brian Austin Green, Actor
Tichina Arnold Shares Her Side of the Story
Tichina Arnold, who is currently unmarried and best known for her comedic role on “Martin,” shared her own perspective during her appearance on Deon Cole’s podcast a few weeks before Green’s episode, in December 2025. In her interview, Arnold acknowledged the positive aspects of their time together while also candidly reflecting on the reasons the relationship could not last.
She pointed to the challenges of navigating their different backgrounds and expectations, expressing her feelings openly. According to Arnold, she told Green that their paths would likely diverge due to differences in their outlook on the future. She recounted saying,
“I told him. I said, ‘The reason why we’ve come to the end of our road is because I see you dating all these Black women. Now you’re dating me, and you’re not going to end up with a Black woman. You’re going to share your riches and your legacy with someone white. And so I’m getting off this train.’ I told you I’m very good with endings.”
— Tichina Arnold, Actress
Arnold was forthright about her attraction to Black men, sharing what draws her to them, and described her personal taste as a foundational reason for their breakup:
“I really love Black men. I’m just attracted to Black men…the pheromones, the smell, everything. The everything!”
— Tichina Arnold, Actress
Despite their differences, Arnold looked back on their relationship as a valuable chapter, describing it as a significant learning experience that helped her grow and understand her own desires and boundaries in romantic partnerships.
Tichina Arnold’s Personal Background and Recent Controversy
Beyond her earlier relationship with Green, Tichina Arnold’s personal life has included two previous marriages—first to boxer Lamon Brewster in the early 1990s and more recently to basketball coach DaRico Hines, with whom she divorced in 2016. She is a mother to a daughter she shares with music producer Carvin Haggins. In a 2017 interview with People Magazine, Arnold remarked that she doubted she would ever remarry, indicating a shift in her views on marriage and commitment.
Recently, Arnold has also been in the headlines for reasons separate from her relationships. She addressed controversy on Deon Cole’s podcast when discussing jokes and dynamics on the “Martin” set. Arnold had claimed that her co-star Tisha Campbell suffered from “reverse colorism” during live taping, suggesting that Campbell, who played another leading role on the show, was not as readily embraced by the studio audience. These remarks followed reactions to Ari Lennox’s recollections in a 2025 radio interview, in which the singer expressed displeasure with jokes about Arnold’s character, stating they were disrespectful towards women with darker skin tones.
Arnold later reconsidered and publicly apologized for her comments about her co-star, acknowledging that her earlier statement was misspoken and clarifying her intentions. This incident illustrates how conversations about race, colorism, and the unique pressures of public life still play a role in the ongoing public narratives surrounding both Arnold and Campbell.
The Continuing Impact of Green and Arnold’s Story
The public revelations from Brian Austin Green and Tichina Arnold provide rare insight into the complexities celebrities face in navigating relationships under the scrutiny of both their industries and broader society. Brian Austin Green dating history becomes more nuanced with this chapter, highlighting the intersecting issues of race, insecurity, and privacy. Their experiences shed light on how romantic decisions and cultural backgrounds can profoundly affect not just personal confidence but also broader discussions about representation and acceptance.
As both continue their respective careers—Green best remembered for his work as David Silver and Arnold for her influential roles in comedy and drama—their reflections on the past may encourage ongoing dialogue. The candidness with which they discussed their romance suggests that the conversation about race, identity, and love in Hollywood is far from over, and may inspire others to share their own stories with the same honesty.
