AfterWanda Sykeswas first contacted about potentially hosting the 94th annualAcademy Awards, the stand-up comedian and actress knew one person she couldn’t share the exciting news with:Alex, her wife of 13 years.

“I can’t tell her stuff because she would drive me nuts asking about it every day,” Sykes, 58, tells PEOPLE in this week’s issue.

“Like I’ll tell her, ‘Oh guess what? I’m shooting a movie in Hawaii,’ as I’m heading the airport,” she jokes.

Sykes eventually went on tobook the coveted gig, alongside co-hostsAmy SchumerandRegina Hall. The three are the show’s first hosts sinceJimmy Kimmelhosted in 2018.

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Upon securing the job, theEmmywinner says she was elated, but kept her reaction to herself.

Wanda Sykes (R) and wife Alex.WireImage

Wanda Sykes and Alex Sykes

As for how her wife handled the news? " ‘What am I going to wear?’ " Sykes recalls her saying. “It was all of that.”

Sykes says that Alex is “working out, doing way too much,” in the days leading up toHollywood’s biggest night.

“Me? I’m just looking for some comfortable shoes,” she jokes.

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The couple are moms to 12-year-old twinsOlivia and Lucas, and frequently express their love for each other on their respective Instagram accounts.

Sykes says she feels it’s “important” to share that aspect of her life with her fans. “It makes a huge difference,” she explains.

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One of the things she loves most about Alex, who hails from France? Her French cooking!

“I’m learning how to prepare different meals,” says Sykes. “And I didn’t know you actually can eat cheese and drink wine every day, but apparently it’s a-okay.”

For more from Wanda Sykes, pick up this week’s issue ofPEOPLE, on newsstands Friday.

source: people.com