Words: Danielle Canada
Images: DeWayne Rogers
Makeup: Ashunta Sheriff
Hair: Troy Turner
Wardrobe Stylist: Arzo Anwar of Blends Showroom
It’s a windy Monday afternoon in New York City. Cars whip by and people do that typical Big Apple thing — move at a blindingly fast pace down the street as though they’re being chased. All the while a petite woman in an alabaster swimsuit and a staggeringly tall tattooed man, also in white, pose against a motorcycle casually propped up in the street. A group of tourists approach and stare quizzically at the pair as if to ask, ”Who are these people?!” All the while confusion remains etched on the ladies’ faces as they continue to gawk in silence. It’s clear that they’re completely oblivious to the reality TV world that is Matt Barnes and Gloria Govan, but they watch them all the same.
The quizzical looks and the raised eyebrows are nothing new for the couple that first drummed up noise on the first season of Shaunie O’Neal’s Shed Media program. Like the confused New Yorkers, viewers watched wide-eyed as the Matt and Gloria romance came to a screeching halt with reports of infighting and infidelity. A peak of sorts was reached in December of 2010, when Barnes was arrested for domestic violence; Gloria maintains that nosy neighbors blew the incident out of proportion. Later, Matt would wage war with a man online over Govan for hundreds of thousands to see. Today, however, there is no conflict — just peace and plenty of onlookers — but this time it’s admiration for the couple who look blissfully happy.
