Taraji P. Henson shows off diamond ring as she celebrates engagement to Kelvin Hayden
'Empire' star Taraji P. Henson is going to be a bride and is engaged to Kelvin Hayden. She has been dating the NFL pro for the past two years and the pair have maintained a low profile.
The Empire star revealed the happy news and showed off her engagement ring. She captioned the photograph, "I said yes y'all!!! He started with the Cartier love bracelet BUT that was my #Mothersday gift and then he dropped to his knee and I almost passed out!!! #sheisofficiallyoffthemarket and she is sooooooooooooo HAPPY!!!!!! #GODIS."
The couple's announcement could come as a surprise to some people as the actress has taken special care to keep their relationship well out of the spotlight. It was only in December last year that Taraji spoke about their relationship publicly. In an interview on Essence's podcast, she said, "I'm very happy. Everything is coming together. Yes, Girl!." at the time. "I'm happy in my personal life."
"I'm not the type to blast my personal business. But, you know, I think that's important for people to know. I'm happy. I'm very very happy. I just am. And you know, we've been together for two years. No one would really know that because I don't really blast my info like that. But I'm very happy," she added.
Earlier on in the interview, she also spoke about the importance of staying grounded and surrounding herself with love and said, "I don't really put a lot on what I do because, you know, people love you when you're in the limelight. But what happens when the lights go off?" she said.
"So, those people care about me no matter what, and those are the people I keep close to me. So, I never buy into the hype. They love you when you hot, and they love you when you not, you know? So, I never buy into that fake love. I got so much real love around me that I'm not confused," she continued.
Just weeks before Christmas this year, Hayden gifted Taraji something very special and a present she immediately fell in love with. Hayden surprised her with a puppy which she appropriately named KBall. She uploaded the picture with the caption, "Christmas came early!!! Thank you #ZaddyBear I ❤️u so much!!! y’all Meet #K-Ball!!! Thank you."
In the year 2015, the public first caught a glimpse of the couple's romance and budding relationship when they were seen in Miami holding hands. The 45-year-old was spotted rocking an Emilio Pucci bikini along with matching shorts. She also wore a pair of shades and carried a Chanel handbag.
When it comes to what she wants in a relationship, Taraji has been very clear from the beginning and has certain expectations from her partner. As reported by Harper's Bazaar, she said, "He is funny, has personality; He doesn't take himself too seriously. He needs to be confident in who he is, confident to let me be who I am. And let me shine, you know? My life is only going to enhance his light."
Kelvin Hayden also took to his Instagram account to express his happiness and gratitude. His latest Instagram post read, "Dear God, I'm a huge fan of your work. Thank you."