10 hottest couples

With the jaw-dropping celebrity breakups and shakeups that go on in showbiz, some naysayers may speculate that these are indeed trying times for the institution of Black love.

But not so fast.

Here, we celebrate 10 superstar couples who represent the various levels of Black love. They include hip-hopper Bow Wow, who is all grown up, with the sexy R&B songbird Ciara at his side; music stars Nelly and Ashanti, who have claimed to be "just friends" for months, and are apparently in the midst of a full-fledged love affair and aren't ashamed to show it; and Janet Jackson and Jermaine Dupri seem happier now more than ever. Then there's actor/author Blair Underwood and his wife Desiree, who are still going strong after 11 years, and Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston have re-emerged, apparently more devoted to each other than ever.

These couples, and some other notable twosomes, have withstood the daunting challenges of celebrity courtship, bearing witness that no matter what disbelievers may say, Black-on-Black love is alive and kicking.

Bow Wow & Ciara

When Bow Wow, now 18, dropped the "Lil" from his moniker in 2002, we knew the former child rap star was growing up. But it was when the rapper/actor began hitting the red carpet with a beautiful star girlfriend that he officially took it to another level. Recording artist Ciara, 20, and Bow Wow started off as good friends, and the relationship has blossomed into a romance. The two professed to the world their love with the hit single "Like You" from Bow Wow's latest album Wanted. The two have been photographed together quite often, and while the world knows they are a pair, the queen of "1, 2 Step" shies away from talking about the romance. Bow Wow, on the other hand, is more vocal about his love and admiration for Ciara. "The question really ain't how long we've been together," he has said. "It's just the fact that I've known her for a long time, and I've just been supportive of everything she's done, and she has been supportive of everything I've done."

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LisaRaye McCoy and the Hon. Michael Misick

Last year, in the garden of his mansion, the Honorable Michael Misick, chief minister of the Turks and Caicos Islands, proposed to actress LisaRaye. The two, who met at the 2005 Trumpet Awards in Atlanta, became engaged after the Chief Minister got down on one knee in front of both families, including LisaRaye's mother, Katie McCoy, and proposed. Misick said, "I am looking forward to spending the rest of my life with LisaRaye." Wedding festivities, initially scheduled for December 27 and 28 at the exclusive Amanyara Resort in the Turks and Caicos Islands, were rescheduled. In a written statement, the couple said: "Due to circumstances beyond our control, the readiness of the venue, and holiday travel limitations, we have decided to postpone the nuptials. Please note that we apologize for any inconvenience to our guests." LisaRaye, a Chicago native, has been seen sporting a 10-carat diamond ring. The 38-year-old mother of one daughter is a co-star of UPN's All of Us, and is in production of her next movie, The Black Man's Guide to Understanding Black Women. Meanwhile, Misick, 39, is busy overseeing 40 Caribbean islands between the Bahamas and Puerto Rico. The island nation has the third-largest barrier reef system in the world. It is a playground for the elite and features some of the best beaches in the world.

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Jermaine Dupri and Janet Jackson

When the baby girl of the Jackson family and the young dynamo of urban music began showing up as a couple, the hip-hop and R&B worlds nodded their heads affirmatively. Janet Jackson, 39, and Jermaine Dupri, 34, clicked as a celebrity couple and have been lighting up red carpets since 2002. They have proven that their union is a solid one, prompting Jackson, who is usually mum about her personal life, to gush during an Ebony interview: "I've never been in a relationship when my friends adore him and my family just loves him. But more importantly, I love him." As for Jermaine Dupri, the multitalented singer/songwriter/producer allows his feelings for Jackson to show in his work. For instance, his infatuation with a curvy stripper in his music video Gotta Getcha turns out to be none other than--Ms. Jackson.

Kirk and Tammy Franklin

Kirk and Tammy Franklin have emerged as one of Black America's most endearing and enduring couples. The two have been married for 10 years--not an easy feat in the entertainment business. In fact, Kirk, a three-time Grammy Award winner, has caused both saints and sinners to tap their feet to the sounds of contemporary gospel juxtaposed with hip-hop beats, garnering Christian and secular music fans alike. According to Tammy, who's a singer, they began dating after she attended a taping of Kirk's "Why We Sing" (1993) demo. After a long-distance relationship, a three-year separation and some serious soul searching, they made the decision to marry. The Franklin family has grown to include four children. While family life agrees with the entertainer, who has sold more than 10 million albums, Kirk, with wife Tammy firmly by his side, recently admitted to having a secret addiction to pornography. "I use my marriage and my fatherhood to keep the balance and keep reality around me as much as possible," he has said.