Hollywood starlet and rolling out cover alum, Sanaa Lathan sure has a way with men. Not in the literal sense, but when it comes to her on-screen performances, Lathan has developed an enviable body of work where she has successfully gone toe-to-toe with some of Hollywood’s leading men. To prove this point, we’ve decided to take a stroll down memory lane and revisit some of our favorite Sanaa romantic couplings.
The Best Man (1999) –Taye Diggs
Nia Long may have been the object of every man’s desire at the beginning of the film, but by the final credits, Sanaa had officially entered into our consciousness. Taye Diggs knew he had a good woman … and so did we.
Love and Basketball (2000) – Omar Epps Who can forget Lathan’s classic love story with Omar Epps. Their on-screen sizzle was so palpable that it translated into a real-life romance. Sadly the pair split, but the heat generated between them won’t soon be forgotten.
Disappearing Acts (2000) – Wesley Snipes
Fresh off the success of Love and Basketball, Lathan brought love to HBO when she paired with Wesley Snipes in “Disappearing Acts.” By this point, we had grown tired of seeing Snipes on-screen, but that didn’t negate the magic of seeing Lathan with a leading man.
Brown Sugar (2002) – Taye Diggs Reunited with Taye Diggs, Lathan did what she does best; she brought to life a love story that we all wished we could live ourselves. Outside Love and Basketball, this is our favorite Lathan performance to date.
Out of Time (2003) – Denzel Washington
Not many people are capable of squaring off with Denzel Washington and escaping unscathed, but Lathan certainly held her own. Their romance was so believable that the tabloids were quick to spread stories about a secret affair between the two.
Something New (2006) – Simon Baker While some decried this interracial romance, we celebrated Lathan’s ability to create steam with any man. Her chemistry with Baker catapulted the film to one of the best of 2006.
