Adam22 and Lena The Plug’s separation has become a conversation about open relationships. Our take: the label matters less than whether everyone understands the agreement. Continuing to work together, leaving reconciliation possible and dating other people can coexist. But none of those things tells a new partner what they are actually signing up for. That part takes a conversation, not a headline.
What has Adam22 actually said about the separation?
Page Six’s September 7 report on the separation described Adam22 announcing that he and Lena were separated, while leaving reconciliation possible and saying their content work would continue.
In Hot 97’s September 23 coverage of the Wack & Adam Podcast, he said they had filmed together that week and described the situation this way: “It feels more like we’re now in an open relationship.” According to that report, he said both were free to see other people and hoped the freedom might help their long-term connection.
That is his public description. It is not a window into every private conversation, and we are not going to fill in Lena’s side for her. We can talk about the questions this raises without pretending we know their answers.
Does calling it open mean everyone has agreed?
Here is where we would slow the conversation down. One person might hear “open” and picture casual dates while a marriage remains the priority. Another might hear “separated” and picture two people building independent lives. Those are very different expectations, even when nobody thinks they are being dishonest.
Before adding somebody new, say the ordinary, unglamorous things out loud: Are we trying to reconcile? What commitments remain between us? What can we realistically offer another person? What information will we share with each other, and what stays private?
There is no magic word that does that work for you. As we discussed in our take on the open-relationship fiancé story, the useful conversation is about what people want and agree to—not just the relationship label they choose.
Where does that leave somebody new?
Imagine going on a date and learning afterward that “separated” includes ongoing intimate work with a spouse and a hope of getting back together. That hypothetical does not make the arrangement wrong. It does mean the context could change whether you want to participate.
A new partner deserves enough information to make that choice before becoming emotionally invested. They also deserve room to say no without being treated as closed-minded. Nobody should have to audition for a place in somebody else’s unfinished conversation.
Business adds another layer. Agreeing to a professional collaboration does not automatically answer questions about romantic availability, privacy or future plans. Those agreements need their own attention, and everyone needs the freedom to revisit them.
Can you be honest without making everything public?
Absolutely. Honesty with the people affected is different from giving the internet a running commentary. For co-parents, we would keep the focus on consistent care, practical responsibilities and protecting a child’s privacy. Adults can work through uncertainty without turning every update into public family business.
Our Kandi Burruss privacy take comes back to that distinction: public interest does not make every private detail ours to have.
We are not here to decide whether Adam22 and Lena should reconcile, separate permanently or build something different. We are here for clear agreements, room to change your mind and care for everyone who enters the picture. If “open” is the word you choose, make sure the people involved can explain what it means in their own words—and that those explanations match.