Brandon Frankel, the husband of actress Gabourey Sidibe, has shared that he underwent successful surgery to remove stage 1 papillary thyroid cancer, emphasizing his proactive approach to his health that led to an early detection. In an Instagram post on February 20, Frankel detailed how he pushed for an ultrasound despite his doctor's initial reluctance, refusing to wait the recommended six to nine months for follow-up. "I found it very early because I pushed for an ultrasound my doctor didn’t think I needed," Frankel wrote alongside hospital selfies with Sidibe. "I refused to ‘wait and see.’ I refused to come back in 6–9 months."
Frankel, a talent agent who married Sidibe in 2021, described the surgery as going well and confirmed he is "OK for now." However, pathology results revealed a more aggressive cell type known as tall cell, which will require ongoing monitoring. "Pathology showed a more aggressive cell type (tall cell), so there’s more monitoring ahead," he shared. "But we caught it early. I’m extremely proactive so I can be around for my family." The couple, parents to 22-month-old twins Cooper and Maya, has been open about their family life on social media, and Frankel expressed deep gratitude for Sidibe's support during his treatment.
"My wife carried our family through all of this—holding everything down while I handled appointments, surgery, and recovery," Frankel posted. "I don’t know how anyone does this without that kind of love and support." Sidibe, known for her roles in films like Precious and the TV series Empire and American Horror Story, has reciprocated this affection publicly. At the premiere of her directorial debut Be Happy earlier this month, she told People magazine that Frankel insisted on taking photos of their twins on set to make them feel included. "My husband was like, ‘I wanna make sure that they have pics on set so that they don’t feel like you left them out,’" Sidibe said.
The couple's relationship began in March 2019 when they met on the dating app Raya. Sidibe made it Instagram official in May 2019 with a selfie, and their first date reportedly lasted more than seven hours, according to Frankel in a 2022 Brides magazine interview. By November 2020, Frankel proposed, sharing the news on Instagram with a message envisioning their future. "I asked my best friend to marry me, and she said ‘YES’! So excited to spend the rest of my life with the most amazing, hilarious, beautiful, and inspiring woman I’ve ever known," he wrote. "I couldn’t imagine a life without you. We make the best team, and we make everything fun and memorable."
You are the funniest, kindest, toughest, most protective man in the world. You’re always down for all my hair brained schemes, from painting your nails, to eating rice noodle rose water ice cream, to ridiculous photo shoots like this 1!
Sidibe echoed this sentiment in a December 2020 Instagram post celebrating Frankel's birthday, sharing a playful photo from the proposal that featured balloons spelling out “Will you marry me?” in a humorous setup. The image showed Frankel kneeling on the bed, and Sidibe's caption highlighted his supportive nature. Despite initial plans for a spring 2023 wedding, the couple revealed in December 2022 on Live with Kelly and Ryan that they had already married privately at their kitchen table four months after the engagement. "The thing about weddings is I don’t like them," Sidibe explained. "Here’s an example of how much I don’t like them: I’m actually married. We got married over a year ago."
Frankel celebrated the public reveal on Instagram, calling Sidibe his "forever person, my partner-in-crime, and the love of my life." Their bond continued to deepen with gestures like Frankel's March 2023 tattoo of Sidibe's name on his upper thigh, which he shared in a video showing her surprised and laughing reaction. "Oh what did you do? Why did you do this," she said in the clip. "Okay. Spelled correctly, good job." Frankel clarified that the decision was entirely his own, writing, "I love my wife so much I wanted to ink her name on me forever."
In February 2024, Sidibe announced their pregnancy with twins on Instagram, joking about giving their cats new responsibilities. "I’m pregnant! We thought it was time to give our cats some responsibility so we’re giving them each a baby to take care of," she captioned a photo of Frankel's hand on her baby bump. "Double the babies, double the cats, double the fun!!" The twins, Maya and Cooper, arrived in April 2024. By August 2024, Sidibe shared glimpses of family life, including a photo of the infants in bouncer chairs as she read The People Could Fly by Virginia Hamilton to them, captioned simply "Story Time."
A video posted that same month captured the 4-month-old twins holding hands, underscoring their close sibling bond. "They can’t touch their sensory books because they’re too busy holding hands," Sidibe wrote on her Instagram story. Frankel, equally involved, posted a tribute in November 2024 as the twins turned 7 months old, declaring them and Sidibe the "loves" of his life. "No matter how tough things get, or how crazy the world becomes, the way you all light up when you see me just warms my heart," he shared. "I love you all the most."
The family's first Christmas with the twins in December 2024 was marked by joy, with Sidibe posting about gifts like an activity table and toys, though the babies seemed most entertained by the boxes. "First Frankel Family Christmas for The SidiBabies was a success," she wrote on December 26. "They really loved the boxes!" Frankel commented, "We did it! We won the parent ‘Super Bowl’!" Looking back on their sixth anniversary in March 2025, Sidibe reminisced about their meeting and a tarot card reading in New Orleans that summer, where a reader predicted Frankel's marriage and children. "[Brandon] has been running full speed towards me everyday since we met," she captioned a photo carousel. "If I had realized sooner what a wonderful husband he would turn out to be, I would’ve stood still and let him catch me sooner."
Frankel's cancer diagnosis comes amid this backdrop of shared milestones, highlighting the couple's resilience. While the early detection offers optimism, the need for continued monitoring underscores the ongoing nature of his health journey. Medical experts, though not directly quoted in Frankel's post, generally note that stage 1 papillary thyroid cancer has a high cure rate with surgery, especially when caught early, according to the American Cancer Society. Frankel's insistence on the ultrasound serves as a reminder of the importance of patient advocacy in healthcare.
Sidibe's career continues to thrive alongside her family life. Her directorial debut Be Happy, which premiered recently, features moments of her balancing motherhood and work, with Frankel's encouragement evident in family visits to the set. The couple's openness about their relationship—from quirky proposals to tattoo tributes—has endeared them to fans, providing a narrative of love and partnership that now includes navigating serious health challenges.
As Frankel focuses on recovery and monitoring, he remains committed to his role as a husband and father. The support from Sidibe, whom he credits with holding the family together, illustrates the strength of their bond forged over six years. With twins approaching their second birthday in April, the Frankel-Sidibe family faces the future with the same proactive spirit that led to Frankel's early diagnosis.
Thyroid cancer diagnoses like Frankel's are relatively common, with papillary type accounting for about 80 percent of cases, per the National Cancer Institute. While the tall cell variant can be more aggressive, early intervention as in this instance often leads to favorable outcomes. Frankel's story may inspire others to advocate for their health, particularly in light of his doctor's initial hesitation.
Through social media and interviews, the couple has consistently portrayed a relationship built on humor, mutual support, and adventure—from seven-hour first dates to private kitchen weddings. As they move forward, Frankel's health update serves not just as personal news but as a testament to the power of persistence and partnership in facing life's uncertainties.