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Home • Relationships

Couples to Watch in '09

Couples to Watch in ‘09
By Essence · Updated October 29, 2020
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01
Kiss Kiss

When it comes to dancing heartthrob Chris Brown and Barbados beauty Rihanna, there’s a lot of watching to do. It’s rare that we ever see these two lovebirds apart. Whether they’re shopping in Paris or spending the holidays in Brown’s Tappahannock, Virginia, home, the budding stars are seemingly inseparable. We’re just waiting to see if this couple is ever going to publicly announce the story behind their “friendship.”

Couples to Watch in '09
02
Love & Football

Hollywood sweetheart Sanaa Lathan and Chicago Bears defensive end Adewale Ogunleye have been fairly hush-hush about their relationship. While they don’t keep their love a total secret (Lathan told ESSENCE.com that Ogunleye is “just wonderful”), the calm is keeping us in suspense. Are wedding bells and children in their future?

Couples to Watch in '09
WireImage
03
Love Will Never Do Without You

We can’t help but notice that Kimora Lee Simmons and Djimon Honsou always look genuinely happy in each other’s company. If that isn’t enough to melt our hearts, it seems as though Honsou has the same feeling when it comes to Simmons’s daughters Ming and Aoki Lee. If their love is what it seems, we are anxious to see where their relationship is headed.

Couples to Watch in '09
04
The Real Thing

When Jill Scott announced she was engaged to her drummer Jon “Lil’ Jon” Roberts, fans exhaled a sigh of relief and hoped Ms. Scott finally found “The One.” Then rumors arose that the “Golden” singer was pregnant with her first child with her new fiancé. We’re on edge to see her take “a long walk” down the aisle and welcome new life into the world.

Couples to Watch in '09
Courtesy of JillScott.com
05
Rumored Romance

Rumors have been swirling that NBA royalty Dwayne Wade and actress Gabrielle Union are romantically involved. Although they won’t officially say they’re an item and avoid being photographed together, we’re wondering if these two have something going on. We’ll just keep a close eye on them for now.

Couples to Watch in '09
06
All-Star Love

New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul and girlfriend Jada are nothing less than adorable. The college sweethearts are rumored to be expecting their first child. In addition to baby bump watch, we look forward to seeing a promising future for the 23-year-old ballplayer and his special lady.

Couples to Watch in '09
07
What’s Cooking?

Star Jones was first seen with new beau Herb Wilson back in September 2008. Though we haven’t seen or heard much from Jones and her famous chef boyfriend since then, we’re curious to see if she’s ready to settle down this soon after her divorce, or if she’s just having fun and playing the field.

Couples to Watch in '09
08
Courting Cupid

You can’t believe everything you hear, but we can’t help to think that tennis champion Serena Williams and hip-hop star Common may have something to hide. Paparazzi has captured the alleged couple in public, but both deny that the relationship gossip is true. Fact or fiction, time will tell if this union is real.

Couples to Watch in '09
09
A Chi-Town Love

“I Love New York 2” contestant David “Punk” Otunga proposed to Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson last fall on her 27th birthday. Both are Chicago natives. We were happy to know that Otunga was by Jennifer’s side during her time of need and we hope that their bond continues to stay strong.

Couples to Watch in '09
10
America’s Next Top Couple

“House of Payne” costar Lance Gross and former “America’s Next Top Model” winner Eva Marcille excitedly announced their engagement over the holidays. The pair is set to wed in 2010, and we’re eager to see what this handsome-looking couple has up its sleeves for what we imagine will be a stellar wedding.

Read more about Eva’s engagement to Lance »

Couples to Watch in '09