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!
Natalia & Sophia
Brooklyn, New York
Sophia, 22, Web Editor/DJ
Natalia, 24, Make-up Artist
Natalia moved to New York a year ago and needed a place to stay. Sophia’s roommates were out of town, so a mutual friend suggested she crash at Sophia’s place for a while. “The first night we met, a big group of our friends decided we should all go out to a bar,” says Sophia. “Natalia came home with me, but somehow she ended up in my bed rather than on my couch. And she’s been there ever since.” What’s their secret to a successful relationship? “We have huge crushes on each other,” they say.
