10 hottest couples

Ebony, Feb, 1998

Whether they are beaming in the spotlight at a glitzy event or enjoying a romantic dinner all by themselves, the glow of love is evident on the faces of some of the nation's most visible celebrities. The month of February, and Valentine's Day in particular, is the time of year dedicated to lovers, and we continue our tradition of highlighting couples who are in the news and in each others hearts.

In recent months, teen singing sensation and actress Brandy has had only for Wanya Morris of Boyz II Men. At the same time, NBA star Grant Hill and singer Tamia have become a duo.

Also in the news this year are actors Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance, who were married last fall, and Will Smith and Jada Pinkett, who are expecting their first child and at Ebony press time were scheduled to marry New Year's Eve. Last year actress Debbi Morgan married Donn Thompson, a photographer. And Afrocentric diva Erykah Badu and and her sweetheart, Andre Benjamin of the rap duo OutKast, are parents of a baby born in November.

On these pages Ebony features 10 of the hottest celebrity couples who make it clear that love is alive and thriving in Hollywood and beyond.

Angela Basset and Courtney B. Vance

The two acclaimed actor started showing up together at Hollywood celebrity event while Vance was filming The Preacher's Wife (he was the preacher) with Whitney Houston in 1996. For more than a year, you hardly saw one in public without the other. Last fall, they married and made their commitment to each other official. Basset won critical acclaim for her portrayal of Tina Turner in What's Love Got To Do With It, the lead role in Waiting To Exhale, Malcolm X and in Boys N The Hood. Vance, who has a degree from Harvard, has said that he and Bassett first met about 14 years ago. This year he will appear in the movie Naked City, while Bassett will star in How Stella Got Her Groove Back.

Brandy and Wanya Morris

Since last spring, these two young supersingers have been showing up together at celebrity bashes. Wanya, a member of the supertalented Boyz II Men R&B quartet, which has sold more than 30 million records, attended Brandy's 18th birthday party at the Hollywood House of Blues last spring, and in the fall he escorted her to the star-studded screening of the Disney television special Cinderella, which Brandy had the title role. The Moesha star and recording artist met Morris, a melodic tenor, when she opened for Boyz II Men during a concert tour several years ago. The two stayed in touch and reportedly sparks flew when she invited him to her birthday party.

Will Smith and Jada Pinkett

The two lovebirds apparently have grown even more in love since they were featured in last year's "Hottest Couple" feature. At press time the two superstars were scheduled to marry on New Year's Eve and jada was pregnant with the couple's first child, due next summer. In addition to escalating personal commitment, the two are also experiencing skyrocketing career success. Smith starred in the 1997 summer blockbuster Men in Black, which followed the 1996 summer blockbuster independence Day. Last fall he also released his first solo rap album. Jada has starred in a number of hit films, including Set It Off and the recent Scream 2.

Erykah Badu and Andre Benjamin

The soulful Afrocentric diva who has captured the hearts and ears of music lovers over the past two years also has captured the heart of Andre (Dre) Benjamin a member of the rap duo OutKast, whose latest sing is featured on the Soul Food soundtrack. Badu, 26, a native of Dallas, says she met, Benjamin, 23, who lives in Atlanta, about a year and half ago. She acknowledges that she made the first move, but it obviously was a mutual attraction. After exchanging telephone numbers, Badu says the two have talked every single day. And more. In November, Badu bore Benjamin's child, a son they named Seven. Badu's debut album, Baduizm, is double platinum, and her recent live album is gold. She says there are no marriage plans at this time, that she and Benjamin (both fruit and vegetables-only vegetarions) simply plan to grow together, be friends and be happy.

Grant Hill and Tamia

The Detroit Pistons star basketball player has new inspiration for making those incredible baskets -- attractive recording artist Tamia, who now has a real-life focus for her kit song "You Put A Move On My Heart." Last June the NBA forward escorted Tamia to the premiere of Speed 2 Cruise Control (in which she had a role) and also attended her birthday party. Her much-anticipated solo debut album is due out in April. In a recent interview, Hill, an NBA All Star player, said he has an unwavering desire to win, and that obviously worked in winning Tamia's heart. "Even playing Ping-Pong with my girlfriend, Tamia, something comes over me and I have to win," says Hill.

Kasi Lemmons and Vondie Curtis-Hall

Screenwriter and director Kasi Lemmons and her husband, actor Vondie Curtis-Hall, were propelled to the limelight as a couple with the success of the hit film Eve's Bayou, which Lemmons wrote and directed. Hall, who stars as the compassionate inner-city doctor Dennis Hancock on Chicago Hope, also stars in Eve's Bayou as the romantic "Grayraven," who falls in love with Debbi Morgan's character "Mozelle." The couple, who live in Los Angeles, have a year-old son.