10 hottest couples

Ebony, Feb, 2002 by Lynn Norment

Faith Evans & Todd Russaw

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Caption: Unlike most entertainment couples, R&B recording artist Faith Evans and her husband/manage Todd Russaw work together and travel together and do almost everything else together. But this togetherness only joins them closer at the heart. And based on the glow that radiates from each of them during their frequent public outings together, their love prevails. The couple met years ago when Russaw showed up at one of her first recording sessions. However, their friendship didn't really gel until years later when they spent time in each other s company when he worked with Faith, Missy Elliott. He was going through some things, and so was she; they formed a bond and close friendship that helped each other overcome personal obstacles. Four years ago, they were married and now have a son. (Faith also has two other children, one by her former husband, the late rapper Biggie Smalls.) In recent months, Faith has wowed fans and admirers with a new, slimmer figure and a hot new album. Her happiness in her personal and professional life shows.

Gary Sheffield & DeLeon Richards

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Caption: The night before he met DeLeon Richards, All-Star baseball player Gary Sheffield prayed that God would let him meet his soul mate. The year before, he had helped the Florida Marlins win the World Series, yet he says he felt "so empty." The next day, in a New York City hotel lobby during the 1998 NBA All-Star weekend, he by chance met Richards, a talented and attractive gospel artist from Chicago who has been singing since childhood. After sitting with her and pouring out his heart for 40 minutes, he announced: "You re going to be my wife." She thought he was nice, but wasn't overwhelmed. She fended off this kisses for seven months. That December, he surprised her by proposing before an audience of 65 close family members and friends. They were married in a quiet ceremony in the Bahamas a year after meeting. The following year, Sheffield insisted on renewing their wedding vows in a beautiful church ceremony on a carpet of red and gold rose petals. Afterwards they feted 500 guests at a lavish celebration. Sheffield also presented his wife with 30 carats of diamond-studded jewelry. Then the couple honeymooned in Hawaii. Fairy tales do happen.

Percy (Master P) & Sonya Miller

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Caption: They have been sweethearts since high school on the rougher side of New Orleans, but unlike many others, neither time nor fame and fortune have torn them apart. Percy (Master P) Miller and his wife of 11 years, Sonya, are in love as much today as they were as teens. The 6-foot-4, 30-year-old rap star and music mogul is devoted to Sonya, whom he met high school when he was a basketball star and she a cheerleader. "We've had our ups and downs, but we know how important family is," Master P says. Sonya adds: "We met before my husband was famous. The fame doesn't faze me ... There's no limit to our love." Nor to what they can accomplish as a team. Master P has had several platinum-selling albums, runs a successful record label and other business, and is mentoring the couple's son, Lil' Romeo, also a rap artist. It all started when Master P opened a small record shop and later began recording songs and selling them to people in the neighborhood. When the big record companies wanted to partner with him, he said no thanks, the he wanted to be "master of my own destiny." That destiny has turned out to be his niche as one of the wealthiest and most recognizable rap stars and entrepreneurs. He and Sonya, and their family, live in a million-dollar mansion in Baton Rouge, La.