Entertainment
Black love over the years at the ESSENCE Culture Festival
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JULY 03: Rebecca Jefferson and Lance Gross attend the 2022 Essence Cultural Festival at the Louisiana Superdome on July 3, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo: Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Essence)
In addition to the proven fact that there are tons of gorgeous black men walking around New Orleans for the ESSENCE Cultural Festival (it is not nearly the “aunties”, thanks very much!), it is often nice to see a few of these men booing their partners. There are actually loads of opportunities to listen to great conversations, eat great food, and see amazing performances at ESSENCE Fest, but a weekend spent partying can also be a fantastic opportunity for a romantic getaway to the Big Easy. So many stars and their family members got here to attend the event and stay for the fun, and the cameras captured them right then. So in the event you have fun our thirtieth anniversary with us in July, keep a watch out for star-studded lovers. In the meantime, scroll right down to see Black celebrity couples at ESSENCE over the years.
01
Lance and Rebecca Gross at the 2013 event
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JULY 06: (L-R) Lance Gross and Rebecca Jefferson attend the 2013 Essence Festival at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on July 6, 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
02
Bobby Brown and Alicia Etheridge-Brown pictured at the Superdome in 2013
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JULY 05: (L-R) Alicia Etheridge and Bobby Brown attend the 2013 Essence Festival at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on July 5, 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
03
Slick Rick and his wife Mandy Aragones at a celebration in 2006
Slick Rick and wife at Coca Cola present the 2006 Essence Music Festival – Day 2 at Reliant Park in Houston, Texas, United States. (Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
04
Then-newlyweds Steve and Marjorie Harvey at a celebration in 2007
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JULY 6: Steve Harvey (right) and Majorie Bridge (left) exhibit their recent wedding ring shortly after being interviewed by CNN anchor TJ Holmes covering the 2007 Essence Music Festival. Steve Harvey recently married his fiancée, Majorie Bridges, on a family vacation in Hawaii. Both Steve Harvey and Majorie Bridge were in New Orleans for the 2007 Essence Music Festival in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo: Skip Bolen/WireImage.com)
05
Grant Hill and Tamia in the Superdome at the 2012 ESSENCE Cultural Festival
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JULY 06: (L-R) Grant Hill and Tamia attend the 2012 Essence Music Festival at the Louisiana Superdome on July 6, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
06
E-40 and Tracy Stevens, married for over 30 years, have fun hip-hop at the 2023 event
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JULY 1: (L-R) Tracy Stevens and E-40 are seen backstage on day two of the 2023 ESSENCE Cultural Festival at Caesars Superdome on July 1, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo: Marcus Ingram/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
07
Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker in Matching White Ensembles at EFOC 2015
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JULY 03: Todd Tucker and Kandi Burruss attend the 2015 Essence Music Festival on July 3, 2015 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo: Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
08
ESSENCE Fest favorites Egypt Sherrod and Mike Jackson at the 2023 ESSENCE Cultural Festival
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JULY 2: (L-R) Egypt Sherrod and Mike Jackson speak on stage during the ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™ 2023 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 2, 2023 in New Orleans, LA. (Photo: Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
09
Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker speak at the 2014 event
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JULY 05: Actress Nicole Ari Parker and actor Boris Kodjoe attend the 2014 Essence Music Festival on July 5, 2014 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo: Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
10
Skyh Black and KJ Smith perform in the Superdome during EFOC 2023
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JULY 01: KJ Smith and Skyh Alvester Black attend the 2023 Essence Cultural Festival on July 1, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
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