Who's lovin' who? Remixing the romance can make love better the second time around

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Wanna know the real deal? Watch the children. Little ones tend to reveal the truth, even when they're on their best behavior.

That's why mouths were agape last fall at the Baby Phat fashion presentation at Roseland in New York City. At this hot-ticket event, the front rows were filled with A-listers like Mary J. Blige, Nick Cannon and Mya and Andy Hilfiger. But also front and center--and side by side--were Baby Phat designer Kimora Lee Simmons' ex, hip-hop businessman-designer-philanthropist Russell Simmons, and Kimora's current beau, Djimon Hounsou, 43, the Academy Award-nominated actor and debonair heartthrob.

Eyes followed the two famous men as they eased into their seats seconds before the show began. Though the popular and trendy Baby Phat fashions were fun to watch, the real show began when Kimora did her designer-finale stroll. As usual, her daughters, Ming Lee and Aoki Lee, were in tow. And as usual, the girls stopped to give their daddy a kiss as they strutted down the runway that extended into the audience. But this day, when Ming Lee grabbed Russell and gave him a giant-size hug and kiss, Aoki Lee spontaneously reached for Djimon.

It was a head-turning moment for the 500-plus folks assembled. Could this be real, this thing between model-turned-entrepreneur Kimora, 32, and superfine actor Djimon? Could the past and current contenders for Kimora's heart actually be friends? Do those adorable little girls really love mommy's new beau? What do they think about daddy's new gorgeous yoga-teacher girlfriend, Porschla Coleman?

By all accounts--insider whispers and firsthand observations-it looks like even those living the lifestyle of the Black, rich and famous can figure out how to get along, at least in public and especially when children are involved. This is one example of top celebrities that have taken the concept of "love, the remix" to a new level.

There was no faking the twinkle in Djimon's and Aoki's eyes as they embraced. Nor did it seem inauthentic when, weeks later, Kimora threw the spectacular bash for Russell's 50th birthday and the four of them--Russell, Kimora, Djimon and Porschla--happily occupied the tight VIP space during the festivities. Witnessing Russell and Djimon share a laugh while Djimon was holding a sleepy Aoki Lee didn't look like a moment manufactured for the paparazzi either. It all appeared to be just regular ol' real life.

When grown folks break up and reconfigure their relationships, they can do it without losing their minds and their dignity. Regular folk know this, of course, but it is interesting to watch such complicated remixing unfold "in the fab lane," to borrow from the title of Kimora's Style Network show.

It's estimated that 43 percent of U.S. marriages will end in divorce, but observers conclude that the rate of marital dissolution is even higher in the world of entertainment. It is not unheard of for a celebrity to marry five or six times (think Elizabeth Taylor). Blended famous families often have a multitude of immediate family members and children galore. Understandably, there is tension and stress, but oftentimes it seems that everybody is getting along just fine.

Others who apparently have mastered the remix are actor Eddie Murphy, 46, and television/film producer Tracey Edmonds, 40. While their union continues to thrive, there are at least eight children whose lives and emotions must be considered. Add to the mix the volume of male-female coupling and you have a real-life family drama unfolding rather than a hot Hollywood mess.

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Central to this blended family is the engaged couple, Eddie and Tracey, both of whom had high-profile spouses--former model Nicole Murphy and musicmaker Kenneth (Babyface) Edmonds. The now-single Nicole (with whom Eddie has five children) has been seen about town with her boyfriend, the recently divorced Michael Strahan, the New York Giants' seven-time Pro Bowler. Not to be overlooked is the songwriter/producer/singer Babyface (who has two sons with Tracey) and his new girlfriend, Nicole (Nikki) Pantenburg, who formerly danced with Janet Jackson.

When asked about uniting her and Murphy's children into one big family, Tracey Edmonds has said: "There will be some adjusting, but I think it's going to be a lot of fun. Eddie's got some fantastic, beautiful, fun kids, and I've got two wonderful boys. So, it'll be nice to get everybody together."

Spice up this Murphy family-tree remix with Melanie Brown (aka Scary Spice and Mel B.), who is the mother of Eddie's baby daughter (Angel Iris, born in April 2007), and who hopes to have another child with new husband, filmmaker Stephen Belafonte. By the way, Mel B., who has joined her fellow Spice Girls for a reunion tour, has one daughter from a previous marriage.

Imagine an Edmonds-Murphy-Brown family portrait. While no paparazzi have made a fortune by capturing a shot of this pantheon of players all together, it is interesting that they all somehow have figured out how to live their celebrity lives and claim love again--even after somewhat messy breakups.