America’s Most Captivating Couples 2009, Part I
Beverly Hills, California
Portia, 36, Actress
Ellen, 51, Comedienne, Talk show host
Married in 2008, Ellen and Portia have inspired us with their public relationship and celesbian chic. Their tabloid-worthy marriage and vocal opposition to California’s Prop. 8 caught our attention last year, and we just couldn’t resist giving them a second run as one of our most captivating couples. “We’ve both changed and grown, and we just feel like, ‘Oh, okay, this is completion,'” said the daytime talk show host of their decision to marry. Despite the struggle with California’s same-sex marriage laws, and the liminal state of their legal union, the two are still beaming. And Portia’s three-carat pink diamond ring certainly gave Ellen points in the romance department. Vegan animal lovers, they live with three cats and two dogs. Says Ellen on the Prop. 8 legal
battles, “I’m begging you. I can’t return the wedding gifts—I love my new toaster.”
Between new friends and familiar favorites, choosing the most delightful duos of 2009 was no easy task. But our hard work paid off and here we present part 1 of this year’s most captivating couples! Look for more couples in the March issue!
Melissa & Jessica
Jersey City, New Jersey
Melissa, 33, Musician
Jessica, 25, Assistant Buyer, Retail
“Ours is a good story,” says Melissa. “We are completely in love and lust with each other.” Jessica and Melissa met at Melissa’s first New York show. “I walked into the club and immediately focused on the woman on stage,” recalls Jessica. “I was compelled by her voice.” Jessica shoved her way to the front of the stage, and the two locked eyes and exchanged smiles. At the end of the night they locked eyes again, and their shared glances led to days filled with great conversation that stretched into months of spending time together. Melissa taught Jessica chess and drumming. Jessica taught Melissa how to ski, trapeze, and is now teaching her Spanish. They’ve been together for a year and share a happy life filled with wrestling, dancing and having fun. They both agree that laughing together is a key to their success.
