Actress Angela Bassett and actor hubby Courtney B. Vance spent Christmas day courtside taking in the Lakers vs. Heat game with their four-year-old twins, Browyn and Slater. It would be hard for this family to get much cuter. [Angie B News]
Not to be shown up by wife Beyonce‘s Bugatti gift earlier this month, Jay-Z dropped $350,000 on Birkin bags for Bey just before Christmas. Who knew that last minute shopping could ever look so good? [Gossip Cop]
Actor Denzel Washington and wife Pauletta made a private trip to Israel to visit an old friend. Pauletta reportedly stopped to scoop up two gold wedding rings for she and her Oscar-award winning hubby and had both of their names inscribed inside. After 30 years of marriage and four children, these golden gifts are well-earned. [YnetNews]
Condolences are in order for the Carmello Anthony/LaLa Vasquez family. Mello’s older sister, Michelle Anthony, died last week at age 36 from a pre-existing condition. She leaves behind four children. [Mrs. Grapevine]
Singer Tamia and baller hubby Grant Hill posed to spread some Christmas cheer with their daughters, Myla Grace (8) and Lael Rose (3). Actress Holly Robinson Peete and hubby former NFL player Rodney Peete got festive with a Christmas portrait of their family. The Robinson Peetes have four children, Roman, 5, Robinson, 8, and 13-year-old twins Ryan and Rodney jr.
Rapper turned reality-show-dad Rev. Run presided over the nuptials of Nicole Richie and Joel Madden in Beverly Hills on Christmas Day. In addition to being a father, husband, old-school rapper and wedding officiant, Rev. Run has most recently become well known for spreading his words of wisdom via Twitter. [ET]
Actress Sheryl Lee Ralph looks stunning in ruby red as she steps out with hubby Vincent Hughes at the World Café Live in Philly for a holiday shindig.
Mariah Carey reveals that toting around her two buns in the oven motivated her to release her new Christmas album, Merry Christmas II You. The singer, who is expecting twins with husband Nick Cannon in the spring, says that pregnancy hormones made her feel far more festive and thus the new album was born. Now that we know the couple is expecting twins, will the extra hormones be enough motivation for a remix? [Indy Posted]
Comedian Chris Rock and wife Malaak Compton-Rock pose at the Kennedy Center Honors earlier this month. The funny man was on hand to keep the audience in stitches while he roasted Oprah. [Examiner]
Director Spike Lee and wife Tonya Lewis Lee joined actor Samuel L. Jackson and wife/actress LaTanya Richardson Jackson to honor outstanding students at the Children’s Defense Fund award ceremony this week. The couples were amongst several celebs at the star studded event to recognize students that have excelled and beaten the odds despite overwhelming hardship. [eur web]
Alicia Keys and producer husband Swizz Beatz team up to release the track “Speechless” dedicated to their new baby boy, Egypt. Keys tweeted that the song is just a freestyle, not an official single, but can be heard on Beatz’s Monster Monday website. Despite the controversy surrounding this couple’s beginnings, they seem to be making beautiful music together. [Entertainment Weekly]
Barack and Michelle Obama made a surprise visit to the Marine Corps Base in Hawaii to give special holiday greetings to the troops, many of whom spent the holidays away from their loved ones. The Obamas spent the remainder of their Hawaiian vacation spending time with friends and family. [AP]