Janel Smith and Devale Ellis Mark 23 Years at BET Awards
A throwback recalls their first meeting two decades ago, spotlighting a timeless romance!!
Image: Instagram
A Nostalgic Bet Awards Moment
Last weekend’s 2025 BET Awards gave us fashion highlights and surprising celebrity tributes—none more heartfelt than the one shared by Janel Smith for her husband, Devale Ellis. On June 29, Smith posted a series of outdoor portraits to Instagram, tagging Ellis and looking every bit the glamorous couple moments after walking the red carpet.
The caption read: “You did this one thing almost 23 years ago and I been trippin’ ever since 🤍🖤 What a ride baby! @iamdevale . . #TheEllises #BETAwards2025.” The heartfelt nod to their early days brought fans to tears—and to their keyboards, flooding the comments with congratulations and nostalgia.
Their Enduring Partnership
Smith didn’t elaborate on the exact moment she was referencing, but the tribute clearly struck a chord. Social media lit up with fellow celebrities applauding their bond, and Ellis himself reshared the images with a simple black-and-white heart emoji. It’s a reminder that even amid the flashbulbs and high-profile performances, milestones of genuine connection still shine brightest.
Devale Ellis: From Nfl To Screen
Before becoming a beloved actor, Ellis spent two seasons (2006–2008) on the Detroit Lions’ practice squad as an NFL wide receiver. He pivoted to on-screen roles a decade ago and has since become a fixture in Tyler Perry’s hit series Sistas on BET. Most recently, he starred in the spinoff Divorced Sistas, streaming now on BET+. Off-camera, he co-hosts the podcast Devale’s Truth alongside his partner, where they converse on topics ranging from family to faith.
Family First
Ellis and Smith (who goes by the handle @therealjanelsmith) are parents to four young boys, often nicknamed the “House of Ellis” online. In an earlier post, Smith humorously noted how their kids rally around mom when dad is on set: “By the end of the night she was sleep in Jax room ALONE because they haven’t mastered the balancing act,” she wrote, underscoring how family always comes first.
A Voice On Black Love
At the same 2025 BET Awards ceremony, the couple also appeared in a BET-produced segment on Black love and unity. In it, Ellis and Smith shared, “As a people, men and women, we’re so much better together,” a sentiment that echoes in Smith’s recent throwback. Their public discussions on connection over conflict continue to resonate, especially as conversations around gender dynamics evolve.
From the gridiron to the red carpet, Devale Ellis and Janel Smith have built a partnership that spans decades—and now the awards circuit. Their latest tribute serves as proof that some love stories only grow richer with time.
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