15 Pop Stars Who Found Love With Pro Athletes
Being a rising pop starlet comes with a ton of perks… like traveling the world and performing for millions of people, going to red carpet events, and having fans that love and adore you. While being young, beautiful, and musically gifted is enough to garner attention from just about anyone, these singers have been lucky enough to catch the eye of accomplished professional athletes. It's no surprise that pop stars and pro-ball players have a tendency to cross paths. Both are super talented and always in the spotlight. Although most celebrity pairings are known to fizzle out almost as soon as they heat up, some actually blossom into true love. Far more than just a fling or a casual thing, these pop star and pro-athlete duos are famous for their serious long-term relationships. These artists are much more than just WAGS (wives and girlfriends of professional athletes), they're superstars in their own right. Here are 15 singers who got engaged, married or just found happily ever after with a professional athlete.
15 Jessica Simpson
Jessica is probably best known for her high-profile marriage to fellow musician Nick Lachey. While everyone was hoping it would last forever, it just wasn't meant to be and the two divorced in 2005. Jessica found love in the form of a professional football player not once, but twice. She started dating Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo in 2007, and unfortunately the media often blamed her for his poor performance during football games. The two parted ways two years later, but Simpson didn't play the field for long. Almost instantly, she started dating and became engaged to Eric Johnson, a retired NFL tight end who had played for the San Francisco 49ers and the New Orleans Saints throughout his career. This time, the songstress and her pro-athlete were playing for keeps. The couple got married in 2014 and they have two adorable children together.
14 Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood is an unstoppable singing sensation, and much like Jessica Simpson, she's a beautiful blonde who's no stranger to making chart-topping hits… but that's not the only thing they have in common. Both pop stars had famously romanced football star Tony Romo. We all know that relationship didn't work out, and the two went their separate ways in 2007. But Underwood found real love with another pro-athlete the following year: this time with NHL player Mike Fisher. Fisher has played center for the Ottowa Senators and now the Nashville Predators during his career. The country star met the hockey player after one of her shows, and the rest is history. They married in 2010 and had their first child in 2014. Carrie has once stated in an interview that her now-husband is the only man she's ever trusted wholeheartedly. Seriously, how sweet are they!?
13 Ciara
Ciara has a couple of hit songs under her belt and is notorious for her dancing talent . The “Goodies” singer has been linked to her fair share of famous suitors, including pro-athletes. She was linked to NBA player Amar'e Stoudemire, but ultimately went in a different direction and tried to settle down with rapper, Future. The two have a child together and were engaged to be married but things didn't quite work out. The two split up and Ciara went back into the professional athlete dating pool, this time getting together with Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson. The pair often makes headlines for speaking publicly about their relationship in regards to their faith. Ciara and Russell have stated that they have chosen to wait until tying the knot before being intimate. This couple is undoubtedly the real deal and have just announced that they wed over the weekend! There's no question that this pop star/football power-couple is built to last.
12 Jana Kramer
You might recognize Jana from her role as a singer on One Tree Hill, but she's also known for her catchy hit songs “Why You Wanna” and “I Got The Boy”. Fans of this budding songstress also know that she's been unlucky in love a few too many times, having been divorced twice before getting engaged a third time to country singer, Brantley Gilbert. However, her whirlwind romance with Gilbert ended before they could even make it down the altar, and the two went on to find love elsewhere. Jana finally found everything she had ever needed when she met Mike Caussin, tight end for the Washington Redskins. The two got hitched in 2015 and welcomed their first child into the world earlier this year. It's easy to see that the singer and pro-athlete combo will work out well for these two.
11 Jessie James Decker
Hilary Duff was a child actress and Disney channel star and is now a thriving pop star as well as an actress on the hit show Younger. While Duff has had some notable romances with Aaron Carter and Joel Madden, the one who truly captured her heart was NHL player Mike Comrie. The hockey star had played for several teams over the course of his career, including the Edmonton Oilers and the Pittsburgh Penguins. The two met in 2007 and had gotten engaged and married by 2010. Things seemed to be going well for the twosome, who welcomed a son in 2012. Unfortunately, there was trouble in paradise for these two and they got divorced earlier this year. Duff has publicly stated that they make friends than husband and wife. While the romantic relationship may have come to an end, the two maintain a healthy friendship and co-parenting relationship. Duff and Comrie are often pictured hanging out together with their child, proving that the love they have for each other and their family is insurmountable.
9 Brooke Hogan
Brooke is no stranger to being in the company of professional athletes, as her father is wrestling superstar Hulk Hogan. Brooke strived to have a career in the pop music world and signed her first record deal in 2002. Her debut single “Everything To Me” debuted two years later and she has released two albums since then. Like fellow pop star Hilary Duff, Hogan briefly dated Aaron Carter back in her teen years . Naturally, that didn't last long and Brooke fell head over heels for a pro-athlete. She began dating NFL player Phil Costa, center for the Dallas Cowboys. The two even got engaged in 2013. Before their wedding, though, they realized their love wasn't enough to make it last, and the two went their separate ways later that same year. Maybe next time Brooke should try her luck dating a professional wrestler.
8 Shakira
Shakira is an international music sensation, having a long-standing career that is still going stronger than ever. Her personal life became just as fruitful as her professional life when she met Gerard Piqué, a Spanish soccer player. Pique is a well-known center back for FC Barcelona and the Spain national team. The two first met in 2010 when one of Shakira's tracks served as the official song for the FIFA World Cup in that year. Pique was featured in the music video and the two had instant chemistry. In 2012, Shakira and Gerard had their first son, followed by a second in 2015. While these two are busy building their own mini-soccer team, Shakira has made it known that she has no plans to marry her long-time love, stating that she doesn't need to define the relationship by marriage in order to be happy. Wedding bells aside, this couple has all the love they need to go the distance.
7 Willa Ford
Willa Ford found moderate success as a pop singer in 2001 when she released her first album, Willa Was Here. She's best known for her debut single “I Wanna Be Bad”, a sassy ode to misbehaving. She actually recorded a second album that was never released. Willa also tried her hand at acting, modeling, and dancing. Much like her pop star counterparts, Willa was struck by cupid's arrow more than once when it came to finding love with a professional athlete. She struck up a relationship with pro-hockey player Mike Modano, a prominent center for the Dallas Stars. The couple announced their engagement in 2006 and tied the knot the following year. The pair weren't often in the spotlight, so it came as a bit of a surprised that they were divorcing after five years of marriage in 2012. Willa then fell in love with another athlete, this time, NFL linebacker Ryan Nece, who played for both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Detriot Lions. The duo got married in 2015 and announced earlier this year that they are expecting their first child.
6 Mandy Moore
Mandy first stepped into the pop music scene when she was just fifteen with her debut single, “Candy." After establishing herself as a pop star and actress, Mandy found young love with professional tennis star Andy Roddick. The too-cute twosome started dating in 2002 and often spoke fondly of each other when asked about their relationship in interviews. Mandy once stated that Andy knows her better than anyone, and vice versa. The two never shied away from being open about their love. Their relationship lasted a little over a year before the couple split in 2004. While Mandy and Andy weren't meant to be, the split was amicable and Mandy showed her support for Roddick by showing up to his charity events in the following years.
5 Nicole Scherzinger
Nicole started out on the reality show Popstars, a talent competition that wanted to create an all-girl singing group. Scherzinger made the cut and formed the band Eden's Crush in 2001, alongside four other female singers. After that venture, she found musical success yet again, this time as the lead singer of the pop group, The Pussycat Dolls. The dolls went on to produce hit after catchy hit over the next few years. Starting in 2007, Nicole started dating Formula One Racer, Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton is a three-time World Champion of the sport. The couple became known for their on-again-off-again relationship, habitually breaking up before reuniting once again. This pattern continued from 2010 all the way through 2015. There must be something special between the two, as they can't seem to stay away for too long. At the rate they're going, this pop star and athlete pairing will likely make a comeback sometime in the near future.
4 Cheryl Fernandez-Versini
Known as Cheryl Tweedy at the time, this star rose to fame as a member of the girl group Girls Aloud after competing for a spot in the group on British talent show, Popstars: The Rivals. She began dating professional English soccer player, Ashley Cole, in 2004. Cole is a highly-acclaimed left-back who has played for England, Chelsea, and the LA Galaxy during the course of his eventful career. The couple became engaged and then wed in 2006, solidifying this singing/soccer playing matchup as the real deal. While the two lovebirds were a popular pair in the media, the relationship went sour and the two divorced after four years of marriage. Cheryl went on to remarry, and divorce yet again over the next few years. Most recently Cheryl trying for a shot at love once more with One Direction heartthrob, Liam Payne.
3 Monica
Monica is a multi-platinum selling recording artist best known for her hit single "The Boy Is Mine." The star has found ample success over the course of her singing career but hasn't always been so lucky in the love department. Monica had her fair share of rocky relationships before meeting her match in professional NBA player, Shannon Brown. Brown is a point guard who has played for several basketball teams including his most recent stint with the Miami Heat. Monica and Shannon met in 2010 when he played her love interest in one of her music videos. The two became engaged not long after and tied the knot that same year. The couple's relationship progressed super quickly, but why wait when you know you've found The One? Monica and Shannon Brown welcomed a child in 2013, and the songbird and her professional athlete continue to be happy and in love.
2 Enrique Iglesias
In a bit of a role-reversal, Enrique Iglesias is the singer who found everlasting love with a female professional athlete. Enrique is an iconic figure of Latin pop music and is recognized for his catchy tunes across the globe. The sultry crooner has had a successful music career that spans over the course of several decades. Some of his most recognizable songs include “Bailamos” and “Hero." As a top-selling recording artist and totally believed for his super good looks, Iglesias could have his pick of virtually any woman he wants - but he only has eyes for one special lady. Anna Kournikova came into Enrique's life in 2001 when she starred in his music video, “Escape”. Kournikova is a very well-known Russian professional tennis player. The two became an inseparable celebrity couple, and though there have been tons of rumors about them splitting up, Enrique and Anna try their best to keep their relationship out of the media. More than fifteen years after meeting, this gorgeous couple is still stronger than ever. The two were very recently spotted by paparazzi on a date night out in Beverly Hills.
1 Victoria Beckham
When you think of pop stars who found love with professional athletes, the top spot definitely goes to none other than Victoria and David Beckham. Victoria skyrocketed to pop star fame as “Posh Spice” in the chart-topping girl group, Spice Girls. The Spice Girls released their smash debut track, “Wannabe” in 1996 and the ladies of the group became some of the biggest stars in the world at that time. Victoria started dating professional English football star David Beckham in 1997 .Beckham has played for several teams throughout his lengthy and highly successful career, including Manchester United and LA Galaxy. The singer and soccer star got hitched in 1999 and has since welcomed four children together; three sons and a daughter. Victoria and David are presently still an immensely prosperous celebrity power couple. Victoria found herself as a solo artist after the Spice Girls split, and has also built herself a lucrative fashion empire, while David is one of the most recognized and marketable soccer players of all time. The Beckhams are the undisputed King and Queen of pop star/pro-athlete couples.