10 hottest couples

Ebony, Feb, 2003

TYRA BANKS AND CHRIS WEBBER

THEY are a good-looking couple, and each one is accomplished, brings in megabucks and is recognized by fans everywhere. But that is only a part of what makes Tyre Banks and Chris Webber a Hot Couple. For the past few years, each has been a favorite of the media and the glare of the spotlights and cameras does not appear to be dimming. An internationally known supermodel, Banks' beautiful image continues to be ubiquitous--on billboards, in catalogs, on magazine covers, on television, in movies, and sashaying down the runway in skimpy lingerie. At the same time, Webber continues to demonstrate why he was signed to a $123 million contract with the NBA's Sacramento Kings. However, distracting from his feats on the court is the fact that he is embroiled in a sports scandal that dates back to his college days. Still, Banks and Webber are a loving twosome who seem to be headed to the altar. Sporting a huge diamond he reportedly gave her in Hawaii, she is a fixture at his games, and he is an avid fan of her work.

INDIA.ARIE AND MUSIQ

SOULFUL singers India.Arie and Musiq have a lot in common. Aside from being two of the hottest singer/songwriters in the music world, with hit sophomore albums riding waves of success on the charts (hers is Voyage to India, his is Juslisen), the two are seen together almost everywhere, but continue to deny any romance between them. And we all know that denials only add fuel to the rumor mill. The couple first drew speculation at last year's Grammy Awards, when India.Arie snuggled up to West Philadelphia native Musiq, who comforted her when she didn't make it to the podium despite seven nominations. India.Arie has said that she doesn't just want a boyfriend, she wants someone she's destinedto be with. But she has said that she and Musiq are "just friends," and she won't confirm anything until there's a ring on her finger. "[Musiq's] one of my best friends, and he's one of my favorite singers...," India.Arie told one interviewer. `I'll never talk about anybody until I'm married."

SALLI RICHARDSON-WHITFIELD & DONDRE T. WHITFIELD

GET your sunglasses ready when viewing this Hollywood couple, because their combined star wattage could easily blind you. Not only are they both drop-dead-fine, but they are heating up both the small and the big screen in a major way. Actress Salli Richardson-Whitfield, once named one of EBONY magazine's 15 Most Beautiful Women, has a starring role in the film Biker Boyz and recently appeared in the film Antwone Fisher, directed by Denzel Washington. Her new husband, babyfaced actor Dondre T. Whitfield, has been receiving great reviews in the edgy new NBC comedy, Hidden Hills. The couple enjoys spending time together, golfing, scuba diving and riding motorcycles together. They even work out with the same personal trainer. Whitfield, a three-time Emmy nominee, says his most important role is still to come--daddy, and that he and the beautiful Salli plan to start their family soon. The talented actors married last fall in Los Angeles (see page 66), but because of work have not yet had time for an official honeymoon. But they plan to remedy that as soon as Dondre's show is on spring hiatus.