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Creativity Quote by Marc Anthony

"Being Puerto Rican, born and raised on the streets of New York, you go, 'Wow, you're still friends with your ex, man? Really? That's weird.' I don't play that"

About this Quote

Marc Anthony isn’t offering relationship advice so much as drawing a cultural border with a punchline. The setup is street-level, conversational, almost comedic: “Being Puerto Rican, born and raised on the streets of New York…” is a credential and a shield, a way of saying his instincts were formed in a place where respect, loyalty, and pride aren’t abstract values but daily currency. Then comes the mock amazement: “Wow, you’re still friends with your ex?” The “man” is doing work, signaling masculine peer talk and the social policing that can happen inside it. The verdict lands fast: “That’s weird. I don’t play that.”

The intent is to normalize a hard boundary by framing it as identity, not preference. Subtext: staying close to an ex reads as unfinished business, emotional risk, or even public disrespect to the next partner. It also hints at a protective posture: control the perimeter, avoid situations that invite jealousy, gossip, or humiliation. By calling it “weird,” he doesn’t argue; he stigmatizes. That’s a power move, one that turns personal insecurity (if it’s there) into a communal rule.

Context matters because Anthony’s public life has been tabloid-adjacent for decades, with high-profile relationships and breakups. In that arena, “friendship” with an ex isn’t just a private choice; it’s a headline waiting to happen. The quote performs toughness, but it’s also a way of saying: in my world, clean cuts are survival, not drama.

Quote Details

TopicBroken Friendship
SourceHelp us find the source
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Citation Formats

APA Style (7th ed.)
Anthony, Marc. (2026, January 17). Being Puerto Rican, born and raised on the streets of New York, you go, 'Wow, you're still friends with your ex, man? Really? That's weird.' I don't play that. FixQuotes. https://fixquotes.com/quotes/being-puerto-rican-born-and-raised-on-the-streets-76830/

Chicago Style
Anthony, Marc. "Being Puerto Rican, born and raised on the streets of New York, you go, 'Wow, you're still friends with your ex, man? Really? That's weird.' I don't play that." FixQuotes. January 17, 2026. https://fixquotes.com/quotes/being-puerto-rican-born-and-raised-on-the-streets-76830/.

MLA Style (9th ed.)
"Being Puerto Rican, born and raised on the streets of New York, you go, 'Wow, you're still friends with your ex, man? Really? That's weird.' I don't play that." FixQuotes, 17 Jan. 2026, https://fixquotes.com/quotes/being-puerto-rican-born-and-raised-on-the-streets-76830/. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.

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Marc Anthony on Being Puerto Rican and Friendship with Exes
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About the Author

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Marc Anthony (born September 16, 1969) is a Musician from USA.

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