Nick & Mariah, Carmelo & La La, David & Tamela Mann Talk Marriage for EBONY

By: Amanda Anderson-Niles

EBONY Magazine just revealed which celebrity couples made the cover for its annual Celebrate Black Love issue, and the three couples chosen were Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey, Carmelo & La La Anthony and Tamela and David Mann.

Check out the three covers and quotes from the couples below.

Tyler Perry fans should know who Tamela and David Mann are. The actors and gospel singers have worked alongside each other for many years and just celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary last year.

On how they manage to maintain the passion in their relationship, David says:

“Stay in love because when you’re in love, it covers a multitude of fault. Our relationship wasn’t based on good sex or having a lot of money. It was based on just straight friendship. That’s what has kept us.”

Tamela Mann says she continuously prays to God to have the same passion she has for her husband as she did when they first met:

“I pray and ask God to keep my heart and my eyes burning only for David Mann. I speak his name in my prayers, because I want the desire to stay, so when he touches me, I get chills.”

How can you not love these two?

One of our favorite couples Nick and Mariah dished to EBONY how having babies and a spiritual connection keeps their marriage strong.

Nick says:

“It was early on when I found out how spiritual she was, and we had conversations about kids and how to live life. For her to share these values, it instantly let me know this is the person I’ve always wanted.”

Mariah chimed in:

“Having babies definitely strengthened our bond because all the love that you have for each other is manifested into these two incredible beings.”

We’re glad to see those rumors about Nick and Mariah being on the verge of divorcing last year weren’t true.

And La La and Carmelo Anthony hit a rough patch as a couple last year and even lived apart to sort out their issues, but they are stronger than ever and embrace their obstacles now in their happier moments.

Both now understand that they need each other. Carmelo says:

“There were people coming in and out of my life, and I didn’t really know whom to trust. She was one of the people who stood by my side through thick and thick. Even to this day, she’s always right there.”

And beautiful La La adds:

“…We knew no matter what, we wanted each other. We needed [to be] in each other’s life, and that’s what’s been able to sustain this relationship all those years.”

We’re loving that EBONY made it a point in this issue to show that marriage will have its ups and downs, but there are still couples out here who refuse to give up on their marriages. That’s refreshing in a day and age where the divorce rate keeps climbing.

The February issue of EBONY is available on newsstands now.