When two baddies get together we just gotta know where the magic started. For years, Tyler Lepley and Miracle Watts have charmed our social media feeds with their endearing romance. Although they have opted to progress their relationship at a gradual pace, their bond reflects a genuine connection.
The two actors have captured the hearts of many as a cherished celebrity couple, with their relationship coming into the public eye in mid-2021. From matching Halloween outfits to Tyler helping Miracle take down her braids to their cooking videos, it’s giving “I never knew there was a love like this before.”
Keep reading for the story of how these lovebirds found their happily ever after.
2021: Miracle & Tyler Make Their Relationship Public
Long before their on-screen chemistry in the hit Starz series P-Valley, the two costars had already sparked a romantic connection. According to ESSENCE, they met on the set of the show during the filming of season two and reportedly started dating in June 2021.
Watts and Lepley went "Instagram official," sharing couple photos and playful videos that hinted at the serious nature of their relationship.
At the Harlem premiere's red carpet, the couple concluded the year in a stunning display of matching black ensembles, exuding an undeniable allure that left everyone in awe.
Monica Schipper/Getty Images for Amazon Studios
May 2022: The Couple Share Their Pregnancy Announcement
In May 2022, Watts and Lepley announced their pregnancy with a stunning photoshoot on Instagram. The P-Valley stars creatively shared their pregnancy news through a video reenacting a scene from The Notebook, with the actress, entrepreneur, and model revealing her baby bump at the end.
October 2022: Welcoming Their Baby
Miracle gave birth to their son, Xi Lei Lepley, adding a new chapter to their relationship as they embraced parenthood together. Lepley is a seasoned parent with two children from a previous relationship with April King, whereas Watts is experiencing the joys of motherhood for the first time. Lepley’s push present to Watts: a custom Mercedes-Benz G Wagon.
She took to Instagram to share, “This has been an amazing pregnancy, I am blessed beyond measure and so thankful for my partner. You have made this journey such a peaceful breeze. I Love You Man, My Dawg 4L!!! Energyyyyy Baby, you did that!! #PushPresent.”
2023: Strengthening Their Family Bond
They have shared moments of their life as new parents, posting family pictures and showing their support for each other’s careers. The couple has continued to keep much of their relationship relatively private while maintaining a strong presence on social media, often highlighting their love for each other and their family.
During ESSENCE Fest, Lepley enthusiastically shared his admiration for Black women, particularly his partner. He said, "I'm going to speak from my experience. You know, going home every day to a Black woman has been all the foundation I ever needed in my life."
Lepley went on to say:
"I'll say it like this. The last thing that a man, a Black man, wants to go home to after going to war with the world is come home to round two. So, you know, my Black woman understands that, you know, she is my peace, and she is there for me when I come undone."
Summer 2024: Wifey Material
In a YouTube video, Miracle addressed life transitions she's experienced and her dip in motivation. The couple had their child Xi Lepley before considering marriage. A clip from the video, popular on TikTok, shows Miracle enthusiastically affirming her intention to be wifed up. "Do you see yourself getting married?" To which Miracle replied, "Of course. Of course! I better see myself getting married soon. Soon."
During the conversation, she posed a question, "I have a question. Do y'all think it's disrespectful for a man not to marry a woman after being with her for a certain amount of years if they both agree that marriage is something that they want?" Miracle offered her perspective, stating, "I do. I do. I do and we're coming up on that time... You better get it together."
Fall 2024: He Put A Ring On It
With a heart-shaped white floral garland as the backdrop with the words “Will you marry me?” at the center, Lepley got down on one knee and asked Watts to be his forever bride. This engagement comes less than six months after Watts put a little fire under The Have and Have Nots actor. According to Lepley, he was already working on a master plan when Watts’ viral comments about marriage made waves.
Watts and Lepley’s relationship continues to be strong, and they remain popular for their openness about their journey as parents and their support for each other’s professional paths.
Big congrats to the happy couple! We can't wait to see how their love story plays out in the coming years.
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Featured image by Prince Williams/Wireimage
RELATED
Here are some of my favorite takeaways from three standout panels featuring Jordan Chiles, Marsai Martin, and Kandi Burruss.
Leveling Up Your A-Game with Jordan Chiles, Morgan Shaw Parker, Chelsea Fishman, Laura Correnti, and Tabitha Turner-Wilkins
Jordan Chiles
Paras Griffin/ Getty Images for Power Play
Olympic gymnast Jordan may have medals and magazine covers to her name, but her mindset is refreshingly grounded. “The day I finally feel pressure,” she said, “will be the day I know there’s still more for me to learn.” For her, joy—not pressure—is the fuel. Her confidence isn’t performative; it’s rooted in family, self-worth, and authenticity.
“Everything I’ve done in my career—tattoos, long nails, rocking my crew at the Olympics—that’s all me. It’s not because someone told me to do it. It’s because I felt confident doing it. And that’s where my ambition comes from: being my authentic self.”
For Morgan Shaw Parker, President & COO of the Atlanta Dream, the conversation around pressure went even deeper. “Legacy work” is how she described her mission—navigating male-dominated spaces, sometimes pregnant and pumping on NFL team planes. “After COVID and George Floyd,” she shared, “it became clear to me: vulnerability is power. You don’t have to show up perfect to lead.”
Chelsea Fishman, founder of Atlanta's first bar dedicated to women’s sports, Jolene Jolene, shared how the haters (especially the Reddit kind) were her confirmation: “All those comments saying it would fail—those were the signs that I was doing something right.” She’s hosted 25+ watch parties already and is building the very community they said would never come.
This panel also touched on ambition, authenticity, and owning your power—both in sneakers and in suits. One of the best mic-drop moments came when the moderator flipped the question: “What if we stopped making ‘power’ a bad word for women?” A nod-worthy reminder that we’re not here to play small.
Making Your Voice Heard with Marsai Martin, Carol Martin, Miss Milan, and Heather McMahan
Marsai Martin
Paras Griffin/ Getty Images for Power Play
This panel was a masterclass in staying grounded while growing up—or glamming up—on the global stage. Actress and producer Marsai talked about what it’s like to show up in high-pressure moments when your confidence is low but the world is still watching. From red carpets to long shoot days, she reminded us that even when you’re not at 100%, you still find a way to push through.
“There have been days where I wasn’t feeling the best, but I still had to show up on this carpet. Or it was that time of the month, but I still had to go on set. I just didn’t feel as confident—but it’s about how you take care of yourself in those moments and still keep pushing.”
Her mom and business partner Carol Martin dropped gems about motherhood and mentorship: “It’s like teaching your kid to ride a bike over and over again. Now the bike is a movie or a brand.” That balance between guiding and letting go? Not easy—but essential when you’re raising a mogul and running a company.
“There have been days where I wasn’t feeling the best, but I still had to show up on this carpet. Or it was that time of the month, but I still had to go on set. I just didn’t feel as confident—but it’s about how you take care of yourself in those moments and still keep pushing.”
Miss Milan, Grammy Award-winning DJ and Doechii’s right-hand woman, lit the crowd up with her no-nonsense energy. “I built my own table,” she said. “When you build it, they can’t tell you you can’t sit.” From journaling her dreams to manifesting Grammys, her story is one of resilience and intention—and a whole lot of faith in her own vision.
This panel didn’t shy away from hard truths either: the sadness that can come with success, the fear of fading relevance, the criticism that hits differently when it’s personal. But Marsai said it best: know your why. And let it evolve with you.
The Cost of Starting Your Own Business with Kandi Burruss and Nikki Ogunnaike
Kandi Burruss
Carol Lee Rose/ Getty Images for Marie ClaireKandi doesn’t sugarcoat the grind. From chart-topping songwriter to multi-business entrepreneur, she’s built her empire one risk—and one reinvention—at a time.
“Fear equals failure. If you don’t even try, you’ve failed automatically —and you did it to yourself. I’d rather take a risk and lose money than play it safe and never know what could’ve happened.”
She broke down the real costs of entrepreneurship: money, time, and emotional bandwidth. “You think you’re going to work less when you work for yourself?” she laughed. “You’re going to work more.” For Kandi, mommy guilt and financial setbacks are part of the package—but so is the satisfaction of seeing an idea through.
She opened up about scaling back on her clothing store and temporarily closing the original Old Lady Gang location. “It felt like failure,” she admitted, “but sometimes you have to step back to make things better.” Still, she’s not one to quit. She just pivots—with precision.
One of her most memorable reflections? How her music career hiccup led her to songwriting—ultimately writing the mega-hit “No Scrubs.” That song became the key to a new lane and legacy. “You may think you’re working on one dream,” she said, “but it could open the door to another.”
Also? Kandi wants you to stop emailing her from a Gmail. “You’re doing million-dollar business on a bootleg budget,” she joked. “Invest in yourself. Start with a domain name!”
The Marie Claire Power Play Summit was a powerful reminder that ambition, authenticity, and vulnerability aren’t separate traits—they work in tandem. Whether you’re building a bar, a brand, or a business from scratch, the key is to stay rooted in your voice, your story, and your why.
And if you need a sign to go for it? Consider this your green light.
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Feature image by Paras Griffin/ Getty Images for Power Play