Basketball Star GRANT HILL And Singer TAMIA Say `I Do' In Private Ceremony

Jet, Sept 6, 1999

In one of the year's most private weddings of the year, basketball star Grant Hill and famed singer Tamia said "I do" in a ceremony in Baffle Creek, MI.

Their fans were waiting for the day when the love birds would pledge their vows. And that day finally came.

After a courtship of about three years, they took their vows of love in a ceremony that was officiated by the Rev. John H. Grant, the groom's cousin.

The ceremony took place in a picturesque garden setting at a private residence, and was attended by 250 guests, including family members and friends.

Tamia surprised her new husband by singing a heartwarming rendition of Colour of Love, a tune recorded by Celine Dion.

The songstress was radiant and beautiful as ever in an ivory satin gown created by famed designer Vera Wang. During the ceremony, her handsome hubby presented her with a Tiffany platinum diamond ring.

After the wedding, the bride and groom entertained their guests under a decorated air-conditioned tent with a five-course dinner and music and dancing provided by a band and a deejay.

The celebrity couple are very private and very seldom discuss their courtship in the media.

What their fans do know, however is that singer Anita Baker felt they would make a great couple and introduced them. It was love at first sight as sparks flew the moment they met.

Tamia was a judge at a singing contest in Detroit when Baker introduced the two soon-to-be lovebirds.

Grant told the Detroit Free Press, "Anita Baker kind of hooked it up. Kind of a blind date. But we kind of knew who each other was, so it wasn't that blind of a date."

He also revealed, "I just ... found somebody that I'm real compatible with. When we both started seeing each other that first two or three months, I kind of knew that this was the one. I've dated a few people but never really had that chemistry. But when I first met my fiancee it was like we'd known each other for a long time. So I'm ready to settle down. It's a sign of maturity."

Tamia, born Tamia Washington, is the daughter of Barbara Washington Peden and Fredric Peden and a native of Windsor, Canada.

She described her ideal man in EBONY in July, 1997: She said Mr. Right must have a good sense of humor and a strong personality.

"I like feeling I'm protected," Tamia said. "But he would also have to be gentle. I don't like tough men. I thrive on gentleness ..."

Hill, 27, hinted to the great love he felt for Tamia during an interview with Playboy in January, 1998: "She reminds me of my mom ... You could say it's serious."

The 6-foot-8 forward with the Detroit Pistons is the only son of retired famed NFL Dallas Cowboys star Calvin Hill and Janet Hill, noted attorney and graduate of Wellesley College and former college roommate of Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Hill told People, "I didn't have to look for role models. They were right down the hall."

Hill was among the first nine NBA players selected for the U.S. Olympics men's team. But he chose not to play in the qualifying tournament in Puerto Rico, because it was during the same time as his wedding.

A protege of hit-making producer Quincy Jones, songbird Tamia, 24, arrived on the scene in 1995 with the hit You Put A Move On My Heart, featured on Jones' blockbuster album Q's Jook Joint. The song received a Grammy nomination and established her as a major new recording star.

Other hits followed including Slow Jams with Babyface, Missing You with Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight and Brandy, from the Set It Off soundtrack.

And the amazing thing is all of these hits came before her solo album, Tamia, was released in 1998 featuring the hits Imagination and So Into You. She is currently winning more fans with the tune, Spend My Life With You with Eric Benet which is featured on his album, A Day In The Life.

She has since signed with Elektra Records and is working on a new album, slated for release early next year.

After the nuptials, the newlyweds took off for a honeymoon at the exclusive Four Seasons Resort in Bali. The happy couple will reside in Detroit.