Actor Dondré Whitfield Says He Got Wife Salli Richardson to “Submit” and the Internet Is Heated
Actor Dondré Whitfield has found himself at the center of a social media firestorm after comments he made about marriage, submission, and modern women set the internet ablaze.
The conversation happened on the Marriage & Money Podcast, where Dondré and his wife, actress Salli Richardson, opened up about their relationship, early struggles, and how they define roles inside their marriage.
What started as a discussion about growth and partnership quickly turned controversial.
“Modern Women Don’t Want to Submit”
During the podcast, Dondré went on a lengthy critique of what he described as modern day women who say they cannot submit to a man. According to him, many women misunderstand submission and confuse it with weakness or control.
He made it clear that he believes submission is necessary in a successful marriage and suggested that women who resist it are operating from ego, trauma, or societal conditioning.
That alone was enough to trigger a strong reaction online.
But then things escalated.
How He Says He Got Salli to Submit
Dondré spoke openly about the early years of his marriage to Salli Richardson, saying they went through serious growing pains. According to him, Salli was strong willed, independent, and successful when they met, which he framed as a challenge inside their relationship.
He claimed that over time, through consistency, leadership, and standing firm in his masculine role, Salli eventually learned to trust him enough to submit.
That wording did not sit well with many listeners.
Salli Tries to Clarify What Submission Means
To her credit, Salli Richardson jumped in to explain her side. She emphasized that submission, for her, did not mean silence, obedience, or shrinking herself. Instead, she described it as trust, emotional safety, and choosing to lean into partnership rather than control.
She also acknowledged that their marriage was not perfect early on and that both of them had to unlearn habits that were hurting their connection.
Still, many viewers felt her explanations were overshadowed by Dondré’s tone and delivery.
Why So Many Women Are Upset
Social media reactions came fast and loud.
Many women accused Dondré of being condescending, dismissive, and patriarchal. Others said he appeared to speak over his wife and frame her growth as something he accomplished rather than something they built together.
Some viewers even questioned why Salli, a respected actress and director, needed to justify herself at all.
On the flip side, a segment of listeners defended Dondré, saying he was simply expressing a traditional view of marriage that has been demonized in modern culture.
Internet Divided, Conversation Ongoing
Neither Dondré nor Salli has responded to the backlash directly, but clips from the podcast continue to circulate, with commentary videos and reaction threads multiplying by the hour.
One thing is certain. The word “submission” still hits a nerve, especially when it comes from men talking about powerful, accomplished women.
And whether people agree or not, Dondré Whitfield definitely got everyone talking.