Source: Freddy O/ Kevin Mazur/ John Lamparski/ Paras Griffin / Getty
While 2023 was a year for BIG breakups, love was in the air for some celebrity couples who rekindled old flames, made their love Instagram official, and popped the question.
As the year comes to a close, we’re reflecting on the celebrities who beat the odds with their love and sparked heart-eye goo.
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From super-secret and swoon-worthy nuptials to super-secret engagements, see 2023’s headline-making lovers on the flip.
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Nelly & Ashanti
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Back in September, Ashanti confirmed rumors that she reconciled with Nelly at the MTV VMAs by carrying a personalized clutch bag featuring a 20-year-old photo of her and the “Dilemma” rapper.
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Her big reveal came after Nelly confirmed their romance in an interview with Love & Hip Hop’s Rasheeda on her Boss Moves with Rasheeda Philo show.
“We cool again,” the smiling rapper said in the interview, which was posted by The Shade Room on Instagram.
“I think it surprised both of us,” he continued. “It wasn’t anything that was planned.”
Fast forward to the present day and Ashanti bought her bae Nelly a car amid rumors that they’re expecting a child.
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Tamar Braxton & Jeremy “JR” Robinson
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On Christmas Day, Tamar Braton excitedly told her followers that she was having a “merry” time after Jeremy JR Robinson asked her to marry him, again. The two had a brief breakup in October after the attorney called it quits with the singer to “focus on positivity.” They reconciled earlier this month, even after a scandal surrounding reality star Tommie Lee.
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The couple’s first engagement was announced during the finale of Will Packer’s Queens Court dating show which aired in March.
Gloria Carter & Roxanne Wiltshire
Back in July, Jay Z’s mother Gloria Carter wed her longtime love Roxanne Wiltshire in New York City.
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The wedding had an A-list guestlist that included (of course) Jay Z, Beyoncé, Blue Ivy, Kelly Rowland, Tina Knowles-Lawson, Tyler Perry, and Robin Roberts.
On Jay-Z’s album 4:44, he first opened up about his mother coming out to him as a lesbian on a track called “Smile” back in 2017.
“Mama had four kids, but she’s a lesbian/Had to pretend so long that she’s a thespian/Had to hide in the closet, so she medicate/Society shame and the pain was too much to take,” Hov rapped in the song. “Cried tears of joy when you fell in love/Don’t matter to me if it’s a him or her/I just wanna see you smile through all the hate/Marie Antoinette, baby, let ’em eat cake.”
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Angela Simmons & Yo Gotti
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After announcing his crush on her in 2015, Yo Gotti bagged his dream girl Angela Simmons, and went IG official with her via a flashy New Year’s Eve photoshoot.
After announcing their relationship, they made their first public appearance together at a Grizzlies and Cavaliers game, where they sat courtside in Gotti’s hometown and they’ve since showered social media with their love story.
Angela bought her rapper boo a Tesla for his birthday and this Christmas, Gotti gifted the socialite with an array of Birkin bags believed to cost $400K.
Jennifer Hudson & Common
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In November, EGOT Jennifer Hudson seemingly confirmed her romance with Common after months of speculation.
During an interview on CBS This Morning, Gayle King asked the talk show host’s love life.
“Word on the street is that you’re very happy?” Gayle asked.
“I am very happy,” Jennifer confirmed.
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“Very nice relationship,” Gayle continued, to which Jennifer confirmed, “Yes, ma’am.”
“With someone who shall remain nameless,” Gayle teased about her new love.
“So you’re boo’ed up?” interjected co-host Nate Burleson.
“Booed up? I think it’s more sophisticated than boo’ed up,” Jennifer joked. “It’s definitely not an entanglement. That’s for sure,” she added.
Jennifer Hudson and Common Walk Hand in Hand Amid Romance Rumors https://t.co/B0476D8Xyt
— People (@people) November 8, 2023
Her confirmation came after she shut down rumors in September 2022 to Entertainment Tonight and alleged that people were creating false narratives.
Simone Biles & Jonathan Owens
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Olympic gymnast Simone Biles and Green Bay Packers safety Jonathan Owens wed in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, on May 6 after an initial courthouse ceremony.
During their big Cabo celebration at Nobu Los Cabos, the pair exchanged vows in front of 144 family members and friends. The gold medalist was escorted down the aisle by her father Ronald Biles and met her Uncle Paul, who officiated the ceremony, at the end of the rows.
Mr. & Mrs. 🤍🕊️ pic.twitter.com/vLiB5x7zBv
— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) May 8, 2023
Simone also had four dresses and the newlyweds wore matching custom-made Nike Air Force One Lows. The couple has been in negative headlines as of late after Jonathan told The Pivot podcast that he had “no clue” who the most decorated gymnast of all time was and told a story about how she “pulled him” on the dating app Rya.
“I always say that the men are the catch,” said the NFL player.
Despite detractors, Simone and Jonathan remained unbothered by the backlash.
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Bresha Webb & Nick Jones Jr.
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Bresha Webb and Nick Jones Jr. made us swoon with their coupledom this year.
The Run the World star and her TV writer husband met through Nick’s friend Loni Love and tied the knot on Feb. 4 in an “old Hollywood glam” themed wedding at The Beverly Hills Hotel in California.
“It feels like an answered prayer,” Webb told PEOPLE of her nuptials. “Having a successful career, I started to doubt that my dream of marriage and family was ever going to come true. Now that I have a husband and now daughter, I trust God’s timing in everything. Because our love couldn’t have come at a more perfect time.”
Celebrity guests at the wedding included Kelly Rowland, Essence Atkins, Angel Laketa Tanksley, and Zulay Henao, who all served as bridesmaids.
Most recently, Bresha announced that they’re expecting their first child, a baby girl.
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