

I'm a forever sap. I admit it, and that's probably not changing. And while I don't think love and relationships should be the sole focus of one's happiness, I do think it's OK to celebrate them when they're done healthily and happily! This year quite a few breakups had social media buzzing, but there was also an outpouring of love. From public first dates to relationship do-overs, we've seen it all. And some of our favorites were the celebrity couples showcasing it.
Check out this list of five of the biggest celebrity couples of 2021. And let us know if there is a couple we missed!
Lori Harvey and Michael B. Jordan
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Of course, this couple had to make the list! Michael B. Jordan is one of the biggest talents of our time and the affection women have for him is indescribable. Yet, the 32-year-oldBlack Panther star was never previously tied to anyone publicly. I mean sure, we've seen a few photos pop up throughout the years, but he has always remained private about his personal life. So, it was so surprising when he shared an Instagram post smiling from ear to ear with none other than, model and influencer Lori "Living her Best Life" Harvey.
Women have applauded Lori for living her twenties fully by dating, securing the bag, and supporting her family. And it's been so nice to watch from the social sidelines as they share extravagant date nights and special moments, while genuinely appearing happy and fulfilled. Lori tells The Real:
"We really balance each other and I really do believe in the statement when you know, you know. And I think that really applies to our situation."
I enjoy watching them continue to flourish creatively as individuals while still showing Black love in such a beautiful, and I mean beautiful way.
Megan Thee Stallion and Pardison Fontaine
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"I never said hot girls couldn't have boyfriends," the Body rapper dropped a gem with this one when she replied to a fan during an Instagram Live. Because, for some reason, some people feel like you can't enjoy life, be about your coin, and still maintain a happy relationship, and I love how the rappers boldly defy that idea. Now, I'll admit Megan Thee Stallion and Pardison Fontaine should not technically be on the list since they released a one-year video that shows they were dating before 2021. However, the item didn't share their relationship with us until the beginning of the year, and we've watched happily ever since.
From baecation photos to heartfelt messages, they love each other out loud and we love to see it. In an interview with Taraji P. Henson for her Facebook Watch series, Peace of Mind With Taraji, Megan described their relationship wonderfully, "He moves me. He inspires me. We just feel like a real team. He feels like a partner."
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck
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(Sings) "If you love something let it go, and if it comes back then that's how you know." Y'all remember that song from the IMX days? Well, that's what plays in my head whenever I come across pictures of "Bennifer 2.0." As a reminder, actor Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez were previously engaged and ended up calling it off in 2003. But, after Lopez's recent split with Alex Rodriguez, the two were seen spending time together pretty shortly after. And, hey, true love never dies. Because since that time, they've been spotted together romantically on multiple occasions and even made things Instagram official over the summer.
A source close to Lopez told People, "They want to do everything they can to make this work."
Adele and Rich Paul
Adele/Instagram
It seems like sitting courtside at the games is some sort of rite of passage for celebrity couples. And the latest to accept the challenge is none other than the amazingly talented singer Adele and her business bae Rich Paul, LeBron James's agent. When they arrived at the game together, blogs and social media went crazy. But, many people were wondering if they could just simply be friends enjoying a game.
However, Adele ended all the speculation when she made it Instagram-official with a collage of photos, the final one being a picture of them together – captioned with a heart (see above).
I'm here for this couple and I can't wait to hear the "happy relationship music" that I'm betting will be on the album.
Zoe Kravitz and Channing Tatum
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I've always heard it's not good to mix work and play. But I mean, maybe if you're Channing Tatum and Zoe Kravitz, it's OK to bend the rules a little bit. These two connected, one of my favorite ways, through their creative passions. Kravitz first reached out to the Magic Mike star about playing a character in a film she was directing. And it looks like their relationship blossomed and developed from there. A source tells People, "They don't seem to care about hiding their relationship anymore. It's obvious that they are very happy."
Fast forward to the end of summer 2021, the High Fidelity star was seen riding on the back of his motorcycle, holding Tatum tight, giving very much smitten vibes. We get it, girl, we do.
Featured image by Johnny Nunez/WireImage via Getty Images
Kirby Carroll grew up in VA but now calls Atlanta, GA home. She has a passion for creating content and helping brands grow through storytelling and public relations. When not immersed in work, you can find her sipping a mimosa at brunch or bingeing a new TV drama on Netflix. Keep up with her on social media at @askKirbyCarroll.
Eva Marcille On Starring In 'Jason’s Lyric Live' & Being An Audacious Black Woman
Eva Marcille has taken her talents to the stage. The model-turned-actress is starring in her first play, Jason’s Lyric Live alongside Allen Payne, K. Michelle, Treach, and others.
The play, produced by Je’Caryous Johnson, is an adaptation of the film, which starred Allen Payne as Jason and Jada Pinkett Smith as Lyric. Allen reprised his role as Jason for the play and Eva plays Lyric.
While speaking to xoNecole, Eva shares that she’s a lot like the beloved 1994 character in many ways. “Lyric is so me. She's the odd flower. A flower nonetheless, but definitely not a peony,” she tells us.
“She's not the average flower you see presented, and so she reminds me of myself. I'm a sunflower, beautiful, but different. And what I loved about her character then, and even more so now, is that she was very sure of herself.
"Sure of what she wanted in life and okay to sacrifice her moments right now, to get what she knew she deserved later. And that is me. I'm not an instant gratification kind of a person. I am a long game. I'm not a sprinter, I'm a marathon.
America first fell in love with Eva when she graced our screens on cycle 3 of America’s Next Top Model in 2004, which she emerged as the winner. Since then, she's ventured into different avenues, from acting on various TV series like House of Payne to starring on Real Housewives of Atlanta.
Je-Caryous Johnson Entertainment
Eva praises her castmates and the play’s producer, Je’Caryous for her positive experience. “You know what? Je’Caryous fuels my audacity car daily, ‘cause I consider myself an extremely audacious woman, and I believe in what I know, even if no one else knows it, because God gave it to me. So I know what I know. That is who Je’Caryous is.”
But the mom of three isn’t the only one in the family who enjoys acting. Eva reveals her daughter Marley has also caught the acting bug.
“It is the most adorable thing you can ever see. She’s got a part in her school play. She's in her chorus, and she loves it,” she says. “I don't know if she loves it, because it's like, mommy does it, so maybe I should do it, but there is something about her.”
Overall, Eva hopes that her contribution to the role and the play as a whole serves as motivation for others to reach for the stars.
“I want them to walk out with hope. I want them to re-vision their dreams. Whatever they were. Whatever they are. To re-see them and then have that thing inside of them say, ‘You know what? I'm going to do that. Whatever dream you put on the back burner, go pick it up.
"Whatever dream you've accomplished, make a new dream, but continue to reach for the stars. Continue to reach for what is beyond what people say we can do, especially as [a] Black collective but especially as Black women. When it comes to us and who we are and what we accept and what we're worth, it's not about having seen it before. It's about knowing that I deserve it.”
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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Spring is upon us, and with this time of year comes the annual closet cleanout we so desperately need and collectively look forward to. As the chill of winter finally gives way to sunnier days, it’s the perfect opportunity to clear out what no longer serves us in life and our closets. A symbol of new beginnings and transformations, the shift in seasons is the perfect time to declutter our space while releasing the old to welcome the new.
During the process of evaluating our wardrobes, we determine what we can live without while looking forward to what it is we truly need. With trends constantly coming and going, it’s easy to get caught up in the endless cycle of “must-haves” that barely last a season. To help you create a closet you actually love, one that feels stylish, effortless, and true to you, we’ve curated 10 essentials that will ground your style and keep you ready for whatever the season brings.
1.White Tank Top
The must-have ribbed white tank is the number one staple everyone needs in their spring and summer wardrobe. Perfectly paired with denim, soft trousers, maxi skirts, and more, the combinations are indeed endless. A ribbed tank is relatively inexpensive, even with a quality find that provides plenty of wear and durability.
2.Denim Maxi Skirt
As mentioned above, a maxi skirt is a perfect foundation for a fashion-forward casual outfit. Denim maxi skirts, with their nod to the 2000s era, have proven to be a versatile staple that can be dressed up or down depending on your mood and plans for the day. Keep it casual by pairing a denim maxi with sneakers and a simple white top for everyday errands, or elevate the look with a sleek heel, cut-out top, and moto jacket for a more polished, modern take.
3.Straight Leg Denim
When it comes to denim, the straight-leg silhouette has officially cemented its place as a go-to style. Offering a slim, streamlined fit without the look and feel of skinny jeans, this cut pairs perfectly with everything from boots to sneakers. With a range of washes from light blue to indigo, the slim-leg denim is a timeless wardrobe essential that blends comfort and style easily.
4.Statement Jewelry
Minimal jewelry had its moment, but lately, bold accessories have taken center stage. Statement pieces have the power to elevate even the simplest outfits, adding instant personality and polish. If not wearable art, it's stackable jewelry, with the chunkier being the better. If you’re not ready to give up the minimal look, add in a statement necklace layered with minimal chains and hoop earrings to achieve an effortless, cool girl look.
5.Loafers
If you’re a chunky boot lover, loafers are the perfect swap for warm weather. Style with chunky socks when wearing a skirt, or slip into a classic pair with oversized, long-length, low-rise jeans. Loafers have firmly earned their spot as a year-round staple, offering the perfect blend of style, comfort, and versatility.
6.Oversized Sunglasses
Nothing about this year is about blending in or being subtle, which is why designer frames from Loewe, Gucci, and Tom Ford continue to set the standard for bold, statement-making looks when it comes to eyewear. Just like most accessories, frames are bigger and bolder, thanks to classic aviator styles and oversized sunnies with face-shaping silhouettes.
7.Shoulder Bag
There's something about the shoulder bag that continues to captivate the fashion world. It's small yet conveniently fits all necessities with a limitless range of colors, shapes, and patterns to match any look. It’s also the perfect balance between the micro mini and the oversized tote. If looking for a classic designer bag for spring, its size and shape will be worth the investment, as this silhouette will never go out of style.
8.Button-Down Long Sleeve
The button-down long sleeve is one of the most loved closet essentials. The versatility is unmatched, and the price is unbeatable for the amount of wear one can achieve in this staple piece. Worn open, closed, layered underneath a corset, or wrapped around one's waist, there's more than enough reason to benefit from owning a crisp white button-down top. Pair with leggings and heels for a casual chic moment, layered with statement accessories for a classic spring look.
9. Dad Trouser
Trousers are a great option for women who love to stretch the limits of chic workwear. The "Dad Pant" is a classic tailored aesthetic with a high-rise fitted waist and extra-long hem, a length perfect for high heels, sneakers, or chunky sandals. Opting for lightweight fabric is also perfect for year-round temperatures. Wear long trousers with a fitted white top, and an oversized black or beige blazer with pointed-toe heels for a sophisticated look day or night.
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Featured image by Edward Berthelot/Getty Images
Originally published on March 16, 2023