Runaway Love: En Vogue’s Rhona Bennett Married Best Friend, Shantiel Simon

Member of the ’90s female group En Vogue, Rhona Bennett married her best friend Shantiel Simon in early September. They had known each other since they were freshmen in high school but weren’t high school sweethearts.

For over 30 years, the two have been best friends but didn’t begin dating until 2021.

Rhona told essence she felt like a lucky woman, getting the chance to marry her best friend.

“It’s like, we get to explore this aspect of ourselves, something we never even thought would happen between us,” she said.

The two met in their high school music class, and she won over Shantiel’s heart after providing him with much-needed encouragement in one class. However, Rhona cherished their friendship and didn’t want anything more to happen that could possibly ruin their bond.

“To be honest with you, I was running,” she admitted. “Like, ‘no, don’t mess up our friendship!’ I wasn’t attracted to him in that way. I was like, we’re just friends.”

During the course of their friendship, the two dated other people. But a few years ago, a spark started to form between the two while the two embarked on a spiritual journey.

“He decided to shoot his shot, if you will, and I was running,” Rhona stated. “But I didn’t run too far because next thing you know, I’m like, ‘Dude, I think I’m in love. What’s going on?!”

In April 2021, their relationship became official. A year later, they were engaged.

“He popped the question really fast. He knew exactly what he wanted,” she remarked.

Shantiel proposed to Rhona in front of her friends at Mastro’s Steakhouse, located in Houston. He popped the question after giving a moving speech.

The two had a private wedding ceremony on Sept. 9 and then got married in front of loved ones on Sept. 16 at the grand Chateu Elan Winery and Resort. Her bridesmaids included her En Vogue bandmates, Cindy and Terry.

We’ve known each other now for almost two decades, and so they’re very close to me,” she said of her group members.