

Over the years, celebrities have served as a source of inspiration for fans worldwide, showcasing their remarkable journeys toward personal and professional success.
However, recently, many have offered glimpses into their love lives, sharing valuable insights about how they have manifested their romantic relationships. The act of manifesting, which is turning a thought or an idea into reality, isn't something new.
According to The Guardian, the concept was previously introduced in the 19th century and made its "resurgence in 2006" thanks to the best-selling self-help bookThe Secret. Since then, it has become a popular topic once again, especially after various celebrities have admitted to manifesting their perfect partner and career.
Below is a list of celebrities who manifested their relationship.
Yo Gotti
No one could mention the power of manifestation without talking about rapper Mario "Yo Gotti" Mims.
The 42-year-old is a prime example of how persistence and patience can help one find their ideal partner after landing his dream girl, reality star and entrepreneur Angela Simmons.
Although Mims and Simmons' announced that they were officially an item in December 2022, the pair's love story dates back to 2015 when the emcee expressed interest in the star in his hit song "Down in the DMs."
In the lyrics, Mims revealed that he developed a crush on Simmons after following her on social media and wasn't afraid to let the world know.
"And I just followed Angela (Simmons). Boy, I got a crush on Angela Simmons. They like, 'Damn Gotti, you bold.' F--k it. I'm gon' let the world know (goals)," the lyrics read.
Despite Mims' shooting his shot, in 2016, Simmons announced that she was engaged to businessman Sutton Tennyson. The former couple welcomed their son Sutton Tennyson Jr. that same year. In December 2017, more than a year after having their son, Simmons and Tennyson confirmed they had gone their separate ways.
Sadly following their split, Tennyson was fatally shot in 2018 in his Atlanta home after a heated argument with a man named Michael Williams. Williams was ultimately sentenced to life in prison.
In recent years, Simmons kept a relatively low profile regarding dating. The mother of one was previously linked to boxer Daniel Jacobs from 2020 to 2021. But in September 2022, Simmons made headlines after being spotted hanging out with Mims at her 35th birthday party and reciting the infamous lyrics to "Down in the DMs." The dating rumors continued when the couple attended numerous events together.
Since officially announcing their relationship, Mims and Simmons have become couple goals to many because of the love they have showcased in person and on social media.
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky
A$AP Rocky (L) and Rihanna (R).
Photo by Gotham/GC Images
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky's romance may have started as a platonic relationship. Still, after developing a bond dating back to 2012 and their similar interests in fashion, music, and opinions on love, it would become apparent that the duo was meant for each other.
Rihanna and Rocky, who frequently supported one another over the years both personally and professionally, officially began dating in 2020, and the couple's union generated buzz online because of how pure and light-hearted their relationship appeared to be.
The pair would welcome their first child RZA Mayers in 2022. Less than a year later, the "Work" singer announced that she and Rocky were expecting baby number two during her Super Bowl performance.
As Rihanna and Rocky's love continues to grow, a TikTok user pieced together two separate interviews from the “Cockiness (Love It)” remix collaborators describing the type of relationship they each want. The clip is also made up of photos of the couple basking in their love showing they they manifested one another.
"I want a man that loves me, cherishes me, values me. But they have to know my value in order to value me. I want fun times," the 35-year-old said. "I want fun, fun times. I want to laugh. I want laughs more than anything."
Further in the video, the “L$D” rapper shared that he was ready to experience genuine love and was patiently waiting for the right person.
"See, here is the thing, love, if you go looking for it you not going to find it. You not man, because love comes to you. You know it's like a gift. You got to try to stay humble and not block your blessing," he said.
Ciara and Russell Wilson
Let’s get into another couple who manifested one another, Ciara and Russell Wilson. The beloved pair, who began dating in 2015 after meeting at an NBC wrap party, have been happily married for almost seven years.
Ciara and Russell also have a blended family of three children. The couple share a daughter Sienna Wilson, 6, and a 2-year-old son Win Wilson. In addition to their two children, the "Goodies" singer has a son Future Wilburn, 9, with rapper and ex-fiancé Future.
Over the years, as Ciara and Russell's love story evolved publicly and on social media, many acquired the specific prayer the "Level Up" vocalist said to land her perfect mate following her failed relationship with Future.
In 2019, during an interview with Angie Martinez, Ciara revealed that after experiencing a public breakup with Future, reportedly due to infidelity on the rapper's part, she prayed for a God-fearing man that loved children and someone that she could learn from, among other qualities.
" I prayed for a God-fearing man. I prayed for discernment. I prayed for wisdom, to really learn from the wisdom that I'm gaining from the experience that I'm going through," she said. "I prayed for a man that loved kids, because, obviously me having my son, if you're gonna love me, you've gotta love him. I prayed for a man that was worldly as well. Because I love to explore. So someone that was gonna edify my world, that was important to me. I was ready to level up!"
Also, in the discussion, Ciara disclosed that the night she met Russell, she knew he was the one based on the tranquil feeling they experienced around each other.
"I remember looking at my husband the first night we met — it's like a movie — when we talk about our story back to each other, we both have the same feelings… It was a calm feeling all over my body," she stated. "I also remember looking at him, and I thought he was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. And I couldn't remember half of what he was saying…but when you know, you know."
On the other hand, as people continuously asked for Ciara's prayer to attract a perfect mate, many may have missed that Russell also manifested their relationship.
In 2015 during his appearance at The Rock Church in San Diego, Russell shared that before meeting Ciara, he knew that they would wind up together.
"I told somebody that's the girl I want to be with before I even met her. I was like, 'I'm probably going to end up with Ciara.' She's a special girl," he said.
Since then, Ciara and Russell have continued to display that true love exists in various ways, including their constant support of one another.
Keke Palmer
Keke Palmer (L) and Darius Jackson (R).
Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images
The third person on the list is actress Keke Palmer.
The 29-year-old is currently dating longtime partner Darius Jackson, and earlier this year, the couple expanded their family by welcoming their son Leodis Jackson.
During a May discussion on the Baby Its Keke Palmer podcast, Palmer revealed that before she started dating Jackson in 2021, she had used manifestation as a tool to attract her perfect mate.
In the conversation, Palmer shared that she created a list of qualities she wanted her significant other to embody, which included a family man and someone who didn't takes themselves too seriously, to name a few.
"My partner is, in so many ways, everything. I mean, obviously not perfect. I'm not perfect. No one's perfect. But it's like you are literally everything I visualized, and I say that all the time to him and he's like, 'No way, Jose.' And I'm like, 'Yes way, Jose,'" she said.
"I always wanted a man that was not so overly obsessed with being masculine, you know what I mean? Still had masculine energy, but also welcomed the softness that feminine energy can give. Somebody that's had a good relationship with their mother, someone that didn't take themselves too seriously, somebody that was a little bit, you know, cheesy and corny in all the right ways, but still knew how to dress and gave me a vibe every now and then."
To date, Palmer and Jackson have displayed that it is possible to have it all by successfully maintaining their personal and professional relationship.
Jodie Turner-Smith
Actress Jodie Turner-Smith's love story with her husband, actor Joshua Jackson, may have begun unconventionally in 2018 after meeting at Usher's birthday party in Los Angeles, California.
Still, Smith-Turner's confession about having a crush on Jackson's Dawson Creek character Pacey Witter proved their relationship was destined. In a 2021 interview with W Magazine, the Queen & Slim star opened up about her fascination with Jackson's character, which began when she was a teenager.
"My first cinematic crush was Pacey from Dawson's Creek. I was like a very young teenager. I didn't have any posters because my parents were not down with that type of thing. It was like, 'I'm just interested in books and Dawson's Creek,'" she said.
Turner-Smith's admiration for Jackson came to a head when they officially met in 2018. In another interview with Seth Meyers on his late-night talk show Late Night with Seth Meyers, Turner-Smith disclosed that while playing hard to get after Jackson noticed her at the party, the couple would have a one-night stand which ultimately turned into a full-blown relationship.
"I saw him before he saw me and when I saw him, I was like, 'I want that. And then when he saw me, I just pretended like I didn't see him," she said. "When I first met my husband, we had a one-night stand. We're in a two, three-year one-night stand now."
Since that fateful night, Smith-Turner and Jackson have gotten married and welcomed a daughter Janie Jackson in 2020. To this day, the couple continues to rave about their relationship and the life they have built.
Jason Momoa
The last person on the list is actor Jason Momoa.
Although Momoa and his estranged wife, actress Lisa Bonet are currently going through divorce proceedings, he has shared in the past how he predicted his relationship with The Cosby Show star.
In a 2018 interview with The Late Late Show With James Corden, the Game Of Thrones star revealed that after seeing Bonet on television as a child, he knew he wanted to be with her and did everything he could to make it happen.
"Ever since I was like, eight years old and I saw [Lisa] on the TV, I was like, 'Mommy, I want that one. I'm like, 'I'm going to stalk you for the rest of my life and I'm going to get you,'" he said
"But yeah, just always wanted to meet her. She was a queen, always."
The former couple would meet in 2005 at a jazz club. Momoa disclosed that following their interaction, he convinced Bonet to take him home, and after that night, the pair became an item.
"We just happened to be in the right place at the right time... I had fireworks going off inside, man. I convinced her to take me home because I was living in a hotel, " he stated. Momoa and Bonet dated for twelve years before getting married in 2017. The pair also welcomed two children, Lola Momoa, 15, and 14-year-old Nakoa Momoa.
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Devale Ellis On Being A Provider, Marriage Growth & Redefining Fatherhood
In this candid episode of the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker talked with Devale Ellis, actor, social media personality, and star of Zatima, about modern masculinity, learning to be a better husband, emotional presence in marriage, fatherhood for Black men, and leading by example.
“I Wasn’t Present Emotionally”: Devale Ellis on Marriage Growth
Devale Ellis On Learning He Was a ‘Bad Husband’
Ellis grew up believing that a man should prioritize providing for his family. “I know this may come off as misogynistic, but I feel like it’s my responsibility as a man to pay for everything,” he said, emphasizing the wise guidance passed down by his father. However, five years into his marriage to long-time partner Khadeen Ellis, he realized provision wasn’t just financial.
“I was a bad husband because I wasn’t present emotionally… I wasn’t concerned about what she needed outside of the resources.”
Once he shifted his mindset, his marriage improved. “In me trying to be of service to her, I learned that me being of service created a woman who is now willing to be of service to me.”
On Redefining Masculinity and Fatherhood
For Ellis, “being a man is about being consistent.” As a father of four, he sees parenthood as a chance to reshape the future.
“Children give you another chance at life. I have four different opportunities right now to do my life all over again.”
He also works to uplift young Black men, reinforcing their worth in a world that often undermines them. His values extend to his career—Ellis refuses to play roles that involve domestic violence or sexual assault.
On Marriage, Family Planning, and Writing His Story
After his wife’s postpartum preeclampsia, Ellis chose a vasectomy over her taking hormonal birth control, further proving his commitment to their partnership. He and Khadeen share their journey in We Over Me, and his next book, Raising Kings: How Fatherhood Saved Me From Myself, is on the way.
Through honesty and growth, Devale Ellis challenges traditional ideas of masculinity, making his story one that resonates deeply with millennial women.
For the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker peels back the layers of masculinity with candid conversations that challenge stereotypes and celebrate vulnerability. Real men. Real stories. Real talk.
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by YouTube/xoNecole
My personal relationship with birth control pills is a bit of an odd one. Back when I first became sexually active (I started having sex with my first boyfriend a couple of months shy of 19), I took them for a couple of months, didn’t like how they made me feel, and so I quit using them altogether (and got pregnant almost immediately after). The rest of my adult life, I stayed off of the pill and pretty much only used condoms (and even then, not consistently — SMDH).
And yet here I am, now, all these years later, back on them again: surprise, surprise.
These days, it's for a completely different purpose, though. Now that I am in the hopefully latter stages of perimenopause (I’m not sure because my mother had a full hysterectomy at 29, her mother died at 53 and I don’t deal with my paternal grandmother because…chile… ) — although I have always had relatively easy cycles and I could definitely set my watch to them, about two years ago, my periods started to show up whenever they felt like it and it was damn near a crime scene once they did.
It was driving me crazy, and so, my nurse practitioner recommended that I take progestin-only pills to shorten, if not completely stop, my cycle: “After a year or so, we can wean off and see if you are entering into menopause on your own.” (Whew, perimenopause, chile.)
Although the first five months of being on this particular pill made me wonder if it was worth it to take this approach, I actually re-upped for another 12-month cycle because the extra progestin (a synthetic form of progesterone) has benefitted me in other areas as well because I am sleeping more soundly and my weight is more stabilized (by the way, when these things are “off,” they are signs of low progesterone levels). However, I did ask my nurse practitioner if, once I do decide to wean off of the pill, would there be any issues.
Her response is what inspired me to write this article because, until she said “post-birth control syndrome” to me, I had no idea there was such a thing. Anyway, if you give me a sec, I’ll explain to you what it is and why you should care if hormone-related birth control is currently a part of your life.
Yes, Post-Birth Control Syndrome Is a Very Real Thing
Okay, so it’s important to always remember that the way that birth control works is it “manipulates” your hormones so that you can significantly reduce your chances of conceiving. This means that taking them could result in some side effects including nausea; weight gain; headaches; irregular periods and/or spotting; increased stress; depression; blurry vision; breast tenderness, and/or a lowered libido.
That said, even though birth control pills are basically 99 percent effective (when taken correctly and consistently), if the side effects that you are experiencing are making you close to miserable, you should absolutely share that with your healthcare provider because…what’s the sense in preventing pregnancy when you don’t even feel up to having sex because you don’t feel good or your sex drive is shot? More times than not, your provider can find you another pill brand or option that will help you to feel more like yourself.
With that out of the way, think about it — if going on the pill can produce side effects, why would going off of it…not? And this is where post-birth control syndrome comes in.
For the most part, it’s what can happen to your body once you decide to come off of birth control. Typically, the symptoms will last anywhere between 4-6 months and, although the symptoms seem to present themselves most intensely as it relates to going off of the pill, any hormone-related birth control (like IUDs, injections, patches, the ring or implants) could produce similar outcomes.
Outcomes like what?
- Irregular cycles
- Breakouts
- Excessive gas and/or bloating
- Weight gain
- Anxiety and/or depression
- Fertility issues
- Migraines and/or headaches
- Shifts in your libido
- Sleeplessness/restlessness
- Hair loss
Whoa, right? And if a part of you is wondering, “Okay, if this is indeed the case, why have I not heard of this syndrome before?” It’s because it’s not a term that conventional method uses nearly as much as alternative medicine does. Still, it makes all of the sense in the world that if your body has to adjust to an uptick in hormonal intake, it would also need to adjust to removing those extra doses of hormones from your system as well. COMMON. DAMN. SENSE.
Anyway, if you were thinking about taking a break from birth control and taking all of this in has you feeling a bit…let’s go with the word “trepidatious” about doing so, I totally get it. There are some things that you can do to make experiencing post-birth control syndrome either a non-issue or a far more bearable one, though.
7 Home Remedies That Can Make Coping with Post-Birth Control Syndrome Easier
1. Take a multivitamin.Something that’s fascinating about what going off of birth control can do is it sometimes has the ability to lower your nutrition levels as it relates to certain vitamins and minerals; this is especially the case when it comes to vitamins B, C, E and minerals like magnesium, selenium and zinc. So, if you don’t currently take a multivitamin, now would be the time to start (along with consuming foods that are particularly high in those nutrients as well).
2. Up your vitamin D intake. Speaking of nutrient levels, a vitamin level that commonly drops after going off of birth control isvitamin D. This is hella critical to keep in mind as a Black woman since many of us tend to be naturally deficient in the vitamin as-is and vitamin D is important when it comes to fighting off diseases, regulating weight and keeping your moods stabilized (for starters). So, make sure that your multivitamin has vitamin D in it. Also make sure to consume vitamin D-enriched foods like fatty fish, eggs, mushrooms, yogurt and fortified orange juice.
3. Drink herbal teas. Since going off of birth control will cause your hormones to be all over the place for a season, consider drinking some herbal teas that will help to stabilize them. Black cohosh contains phytoestrogen properties, Chasteberry can help to level out your prolactin levels and green tea can help your hormones out by helping to balance out your insulin (which can sometimes directly affect them).
4. Keep some ibuprofen nearby. The headaches and migraines? Until those subside, you and ibuprofen are probably going to become really good friends; although I will add that ginger tea and inhaling essential oils like chamomile and lavender can help to ease migraine-related symptoms too.
5. Do some meditating. Waiting for your hormones to get back on track can be stressful as all get out. That said, something that can get your cortisol (stress hormone) levels to chill out is to meditate. If meditation is new for you, check out “7 Meditation Hacks (For People Who Can't Seem To Do It).”
6. Get massages. As if you needed an excuse to get a massage, right (check out “12 Different Massage Types. How To Know Which Is Right For You.”)? However, there is some evidence to back the fact that regular massages (somewhere around once a month) can help to lower your stress, boost your dopamine, increase blood flow and drain your lymphatic system so that you will have more energy.
7. Sleep/rest more. There is plenty of scientific research out here which says that sleep deprivation can throw your hormones out of whack — and since your hormones are already trying to stabilize themselves, you definitely need to get 6-8 hours of sleep and not feel the least bit guilty about taking naps sometimes too.
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Post-birth control syndrome may not be the most pleasant thing about getting off of birth control yet it is manageable. So, now that you know all about it, you can feel more confident about taking a birth control break (or getting off altogether) — without the surprises that can come with doing it. Give thanks.
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