A story filled with plot twists, self-discovery, and new beginnings, Samira Wiley and Lauren Morelli’s love story is one that is almost too magical to be real. Yet it is. The pair met in 2012, with a meet-cute that out-cutes them all. We take a look at their tale, from then until now.

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Wiley, an up and coming actress at the time, met her now-wife, Morelli, a screenwriter, in December 2012, on the set of Orange Is The New Black. Morelli wrote episode six of season one, which saw her visiting the set to meet the actors.

At the time, Morelli was married to a man. Wiley admitted to Out Magazine, that she thought Morelli was gay and would constantly try to find ways to chat to her. In the same interview, Morelli said that she had started questioning her sexuality after being in the writers’ room for this show.

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“On set it’s a bunch of women, so everyone’s hugging and touching. It’s a very affectionate place. I’d fallen into this alternate universe, but I thought I’d go home and it’d disappear. But Samira was still so present for me,” said Morelli.

“I found out she was married — I assumed to a woman. It was a little dagger in my heart. I remember this whirlwind of me falling in love in those four days. I was also bartending, and I told my coworkers. They said I was crazy. She went back to L.A., and I thought I’d forget about her, but that Christmas I found myself talking to my mother about it,” explained Wiley.

“I never talk to her about anything like this, but I was completely open about how lost I felt. That was the real indicator for me: me talking to my mother about Lauren. Because Lauren was finding out who she was, I became a confidant to her. We’d talk on the phone, me sharing my own coming-out story and her talking about things she was discovering.”

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After having Samira as her confidant, and going to couples therapy with her husband which turned out to be futile, Lauren separated from her husband and started dating Samira.

A year into their relationship, the pair took a trip to Thailand, and they both admit that it was a terrible failure. They bickered the entire time. However, they also say that the trip helped them learn about each other, and realise that no matter what, they still wanted to be together.

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Soon after, the pair took another trip, this time to Palm Springs. While packing for the trip, Lauren proposed.

“That day, I wanted to be good and get my packing done. She got home and was just not ready to go, and I was confused. She asked me to sit next to her. Then she got me up, and we started dancing together, and she pulled a ring from behind the couch. Lauren has been married before, so I wanted her to tell me she was ready, her to be the one to propose,” Wiley explains of the proposal.

“I didn’t know she was as ready as she was. I was completely shocked. I was crying uncontrollably and kept backing away from her. I asked her after, “Who knows about this?” and she said, “Oh, everyone. Your parents know.” We didn’t tell anyone else for a few days. That was really important to us — to have some time where it was just ours.”

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The pair tied the know on March 25, 2017 in Palm Springs. According to Martha Stewart Weddings, the event began with an outdoor ceremony, officiated by Samira’s parents, and led to a grand entrance by the couple, at the reception with Justin Bieber’s “Baby” playing as they made their way in.

Both Samira and Lauren donned custom Christian Siriano ensembles, and guests were served dinner under colourful garlands and strands of lights.

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Image: Instagram / @lomorelli

Husband and wife duo Shona and Connie Ferguson are a force to be reckoned with. Together, the South African actors run their production company Ferguson Films, which produces hit TV shows like The Queen and The Throne.

The Ferguson’s have been married for over 18 years, and have accomplished a lot in their near two-decade relationship. We take a look back at their union.

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Shona, real name Aaron, met Connie at her Johannesburg home in 2001. At the time, she was already a household name thanks to her iconic role as Karabo Moroka in Generations. Shona was there to drop off mutual friends meeting Connie’s sister Lorato. As he sipped on a glass of water, Connie came out out of her room to greet him and their love story began.

“Hands down, it was love at first sight. She’d never admit, but. That’s how it was for me,” Shona told Destiny Magazine.

It was a whirlwind romance for the pair. After only two months of dating, they tied the knot in a traditional wedding. Their white wedding was held soon after, and appeared on the December 2001 cover of Drum.

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In 2011, the pair renewed their vows in a lavish ceremony in front of 70 guests at top Johannesburg wedding destination Avianto.

For the big day, Connie wore an ivory sheath gown designed by Biji, who also designed her first wedding dress back in 2001. The gown’s corset-style top featured Swarovski crystals, pearls, silver beads and lace.

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Throughout their marriage, the pair have built an empire that have brought much luxury to their lives. Aside from their production company, Connie also owns a beauty line called Koni Multinational Brands. She is also among the highest paid actors in the country.

The Ferguson’s are notorious for their public displays of affection. They often share their love and devotion for one another on their social media.

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They have one child together named Alicia Angel Ferguson. Connie also has a daughter named Lesedi, a fellow actress, from her previous marriage to actor Neo Matsunyane. She also has a grandson named Ronewa from her eldest daughter.

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In 2019, the couple celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary.

”We are different players in the game of life. But together we make a team that hit a home run with all the balls that life throws at us!” Laiti yaka, Modimo o re ratile! His Grace never ceases to amaze me! Happy 18th Wedding Anniversary my LOVE. We make the baddest team in all we do! I love you!” wrote Connie on Instagram.

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Feature image: Instagram / Connie Ferguson

Actors Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively are owning up to their past mistakes. In an interview, Reynolds apologised on behalf of the couple for hosting their 2012 wedding at Boone Hall, a former plantation in South Carolina.

Speaking to Fast Company, Reynolds said the decision is “something we’ll always be deeply and unreservedly sorry for.

“It’s impossible to reconcile. What we saw at the time was a wedding venue on Pinterest. What we saw after was a place built upon devastating tragedy. Years ago we got married again at home—but shame works in weird ways. A giant f*cking mistake like that can either cause you to shut down or it can reframe things and move you into action. It doesn’t mean you won’t fuck up again. But repatterning and challenging lifelong social conditioning is a job that doesn’t end.”

Original coverage of their wedding glazed over the venue, but the controversy began in 2018 when Reynolds tweeted out his support of the Black Panther film, which had a majority black cast. Many accused Reynolds of being hypocritical for supporting black people in public but marrying at a venue that has such racist connotations.

This is the first time the pair have directly spoke about the controversy. Earlier in 2020 at the start of the protests that began after the death of George Floyd, they posted on Instagram  “We’re ashamed that in the past we’ve allowed ourselves to be uninformed about how deeply rooted systemic racism is. We want to educate ourselves about other people’s experiences and talk to our kids about everything, all of it … especially our own complicity.”

They also announced they had donated $200 000 to the NAACP legal defense fund.

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The wedding industry has also since acknowledged the dark history of American plantations. In December 2019, Pinterest, The Knot Worldwide, Brides and Zola announced that they would be making changes to their platform that would restrict all references to plantations, as well as any language attempting to romanticise these locations as wedding venues.

This move is in response to a campaign led by racial justice organisation, Color of Change, who argued that the wedding industry was glamourising and capatalising sites of human rights atrocities.

Many plantations in America thrived off slave labour and became places of human rights abuse for the people forced into these demeaning positions. As such, they’ve become painful reminders of a dark and sordid history for many African Americans who descended from such slaves.

Sean Penn is a married man yet again. The famed actor secretly said ‘I do’ to actress Leila George.

In an interview on the Late Night with Seth Myers show, Penn confirmed his recent nuptials by raising his left hand and showing off his wedding band when asked whether reports of a secret wedding were true.

“We did a COVID wedding,” he told Myer. “By that I mean it was a county commissioner on Zoom, we were at the house, my two children and her brother, and we did it that way.”

Feature image: Instagram / Leila George

Somizi Mhlongo and Mohale Motaung have gone down in history as having two of the most extravagent weddings South Africa has ever seen. This iconic couple has dominated gossip columns since they came together, and keep us constantly entertained.

They have also become beautiful examples of love, and have inspired many to be their true selves. Here’s how this iconic South African couple came to be.

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Idols judge Somizi met actor and businessman Mohale in 2017 at a book signing for Somizi’s book Dominoes: Unbreakable Spirit – The Somizi Mhlongo Story.

“I knew from the minute I saw him. He thought I was joking when I told him because he was at my book signing,” Mhlongo told Sowetan Live. “With everyone I was signing SM, but when he came I signed ‘thank you for your support, dear future husband’.

“He laughed it off and two months later, we met for dinner. We met at 8pm and the date ended at 3am. We went through eight bottles of champagne and we have never been apart since then. He slept at my house. I knew then that this is the man I’m going to marry,” Mhlongo says.

Their relationship has not been without its fair share of controversy. Initially, the 22-year age difference surprised fans.

Many also criticised Mohale of faking his love for Somizi for fame. When Mohale appeared on Somizi’s reality show Living the dream with Somizi, viewers said Mohale seemed disinterested and unaffectionate towards his partner. The couple also faced infidelity rumours when Mohale was allegedly caught with another man.

On March 10, 2018 Somizi popped the question to Mohale at Pont des Arts, the ‘lock bridge’ in Paris that overlooks the Eiffel Tower. Of course, Mohale said yes.

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The pair tied the knot in what many believe was the wedding of the decade in 2019, first with a traditional wedding in 2019 and then a white wedding in early 2020.

For their traditional wedding, the couple wore matching outfits and made multiple changes throughout the day. Their first look was designed by Gert Johan Coetzee, who was inspired by a North African theme.

A host of local celebrities were in attendance, including Bonang Matheba, Casper Nyovest, Kelly Khumalo, Lerato Kganyago, Pearl Thusi, Julius Malema, and Thando Thabethe.

According to Liquid Image Consulting, the creative team behind the wedding, the pair had a particular dress code for guests. “Dresscode: #Somhale wanted to showcase African Tradition and they personally selected a region from Africa for each guest detailing what they should wear and sent extensive dress code mood boards to ensure everyone stayed on theme!!” they wrote in an Instagram post.

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Not one to be outdone, Somizi made sure their second wedding was even more lavish than their traditional wedding of 2019. Their extravagant white wedding on Thursday, January 30 was attended by celebs like Minnie Dlamini-Jones, Casper Nyovest, Khanyi Mbau, DJ Zinhle, Shimza, Lerato Sengadi, Thando Thabethe, Ayanda Thabethe and Bonang Matheba. Guests were instructed to wear white and red-bottom shoes.

According to reports, Somizi had three outfit changes, each of which were accessorised with different Christian Louboutin red-bottom shoes. Celebrity designer Gert-Johan Coetzee was at the helm of at least one of these looks.

Their nuptials were captured in all their glory in a 4-part special on Showmax, which broke viewing records and became the most streamed show when it premiered in February.

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The pair had planned a third wedding in Italy this year, but had to cancel plans due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s clear that there is a lot of love in this couple. We can’t wait to see what they do next!

Feature image: Instagram / Mohale

Actors Adam and Jackie Sandler have been together for a whopping 22 years. To honour the day they met, Adam wrote a touching tribute to his wife.

Taking to Instagram, Adam posted two throwback images of the pair from their early days of dating.

“22 years ago today we locked eyes and fell deep. Look forward to the next 22, young lady. Love you my forever girl,” Sandler captioned the image.

Songstress Alicia Keys and music producer Swizz Beats have reached an exciting milestone in their marriage. The couple recently celebrated their 10 year wedding anniversary, and took to social media to express their love and devotion for one another.

In an Instagram post, Keys called her husband her ‘dream come true’, and thanked him for all he has done for her over the years.

“My love, you are my dream come true!! You always make me smile. You make me laugh and think and grow and dream and reach and stretch and I am in awe of our love! 10 joiiiwwnnntttttttzzzzzzz!!!!It’s so fast bc it’s so much fun! and so true and real and genuine! I adore you!!! Here’s to so much more of the greatness we create together!!! Deeply appreciating and loving every moment.”

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She also posted a video of the pair dancing in celebration of their anniversary.

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Swizz Beats also took to Instagram to thank his spouse for her years of support.

“1 full decade of love & life wow? Never raised our voice at each other in 10yrs wow? Thank you for everything my love ?? you’re truly everything my Love? I wish us 100 more yes plus inshallah ?? Happy 10yr anniversary Queen Dean,” he wrote on Instagram.

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The pair met through a mutual friend at a young age, when Keys was 14 and Beatz 16. They continued to run into one another at various industry events, but only began dating years later when they collaborated on a music project.

They became engaged in Hawaii in 2010 and tied the knot later that year in Corsica on July 31.

They have two children together: sons Egypt (9) and Genesis (5). Swizz also has three children from previous relationships.

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Congrats to the happy couple!

Feature image: Instagram / Alicia Keys

A divorce doesn’t seem like it would be a joyful moment. For those that go down this route, it brings an end to a relationship that was meant to last forever. For one mega-celebrity, however, her divorce appeared to be a thrilling moment.

Although it is strange to remember, Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise were once married. The pair met on the set of Days of Thunder and tied the knot in 1990, when Kidman was only 23 years old. They even share two adopted children: Isabella Jane and Connor Anthony.

In 2001, they officially split. Cruise was the one to file, citing ‘irreconcilable differences’, which left Kidman shocked. Speaking to People, she said, “Our life together was perfect. It took me a very long time to heal. It was a shock to my system. That was a great relationship. I think it ran its course. I was really damaged and not sure whether [love and marriage] was ever going to happen again to me.”

While we don’t know the reasons for the split, we do have these iconic images of Kidman leaving her attorney’s office after finalising the divorce. The photo has since become somewhat of a meme in pop culture, with many aspiring to the level of joy Kidman appeared to be experiencing in this moment.

While both have been incredibly tight-lipped about their breakup, Kidman has made some comments that shed a bit of life on this relationship of yesteryear.

According to the famed actress, she felt like she lived in Cruise’s shadow for the majority of their marriage as he was the bigger star at the time. This caused her to doubt herself.

In an essay for New York Magazine, Kidman also said her marriage helped her survive in the industry.

“I got married very young, but it definitely wasn’t power for me – it was protection. I married for love, but being married to an extremely powerful man kept me from being sexually harassed. I would work, but I was still very much cocooned. When I came out of it at 32, 33, it’s almost like I had to grow up.”

She also revealed that she suffered two miscarriages during the marriage.

Going Clear, an expose on the Church of Scientology, claims that the church was also a big factor in their split. According to the film, the Church of Scientology intimidated Cruise to divorce Kidman because her father is a psychologist, a practice the church does not believe in. She also reportedly tried to distance Cruise from the religion and was semi-successful until they intervened, claims the film.

Kidman has said that she will never truly speak on why they divorced out of respect for Cruise.

Since then, Kidman has found love again with country singer Keith Urban. They married in 2006 and they share two children together: Sunday Rose born naturally in 2008, and Faith Margaret born in 2011 via surrogate.

Her career rose to new heights following the split. She won a Golden Globe for her role in Moulin Rouge in 2002, and an Academy Award, Golden Globe and BAFTA for her starring role in Hours in 2003. Her most recent hit Big Little Lies is much-loved by critics, and she’s won many awards for it.

Cruise went on to marry actress Katie Holmes in 2006, and they share daughter Suri who was born the same year. They divorced in 2012.

Feature image: Pinterest