When the first photos of Paige Hurd and Royce O’Neale hit the internet in early 2025, social media basically imploded. It was one of those "wait, who?" moments that turned into a "wait, how?" overnight. You had the star of Power Book II: Ghost and the defensive specialist for the Phoenix Suns wearing matching pajamas.
It felt random.
Actually, it felt like a glitch in the celebrity matrix. People were literally tweeting things like, "I was unfamiliar with your game, Royce," because, honestly, Paige Hurd has been everyone's "forever crush" since the Cradle 2 the Grave and Everybody Hates Chris days. But as the months have rolled by and we've moved into 2026, the story behind Paige Hurd and Royce O’Neale has turned out to be way more than just a "NBA player bags actress" headline.
It’s actually a pretty wild lesson in manifestation and timing.
The Proposal That Almost Didn't Happen
Let’s talk about February 13, 2025. While everyone else was scrambling for last-minute Valentine's Day roses, Royce O’Neale was in Cabo San Lucas trying not to have a panic attack.
He had this whole thing planned at the Viceroy Riviera Maya. Romantic dinner? Check. Rose petals? Check. Fireplace? Check. But according to the couple's exclusive with People, travel delays almost blew the whole thing. Imagine being an NBA starter used to high-pressure fourth quarters and getting defeated by a flight schedule.
Luckily, he made it.
During the final course of their dinner, a plate came out with a slice of red velvet cake. Written in chocolate were the words: "Will You Marry Me?"
Paige later admitted she was in such total shock that she couldn't even stand up for a full minute. She just sat there. Usually, you see these highly produced celebrity proposals where everyone looks perfect and the lighting is studio-quality. This felt a bit more human. Royce told reporters he was nervous about giving off "nerve-wracking behavior."
Spoiler: She said yes.
Manifestation is Real (Just Ask Royce)
This is the part that kinda blows my mind. Royce O’Neale isn't just some guy who met a famous actress at a party and got lucky. He actually called this years ago.
Like, literally years.
He told his friends way back in the day—long before he was even in the league—that he was going to meet Paige Hurd, date her, and eventually marry her. His friends naturally thought he was delusional. We’ve all been there, right? Thinking we have a shot with our celebrity crush. But Royce actually did the work, got into the NBA, and when they finally crossed paths in early 2024, he didn't miss his shot.
The funny thing is, Paige wasn't even looking for a relationship. She told Essence that she had just made a vow to herself and her therapist to stay single for a while. She was fasting, focusing on her "walk with God," and trying to find herself.
Then Royce showed up.
She tried to "friend zone" him at first. She told him they could just be friends, but he eventually won her over. By August 2024, she knew he was the one. It’s a classic case of the universe laughing at your plans.
Addressing the Rumors and the "Age Gap"
Social media is a toxic place, we know this. As soon as they went public, the rumors started flying. The biggest one? That Paige was pregnant.
She didn't stay quiet for long.
In January 2025, she posted a very direct message on her Instagram Story: "I am not pregnant. I am older than Royce. The end."
Short. Sweet. Effective.
For the record, Paige is 33 (born in 1992) and Royce is 32 (born in 1993). It’s barely an age gap, but because Paige has been on our screens since she was a little girl playing DMX’s daughter, people sometimes struggle to realize she’s a fully grown woman in her thirties. Speaking of DMX, fans were quick to point out how happy her late godfather would have been to see her this happy.
Where Are They Now in 2026?
Right now, both of them are arguably at the peaks of their respective careers.
Royce is having a legitimate career year with the Phoenix Suns. As of January 2026, he’s actually averaging double-digit points for the first time in his nine-season career. He’s become a fixture in the starting lineup, especially with the Suns dealing with some injuries to their stars. He’s fighting through a minor biceps contusion right now, but he’s still out there hitting 40% of his threes.
Meanwhile, Paige has been busy cementing her "Lifetime Movie Queen" status while moving into producing.
- Girl in the Garage: The Laura Cowan Story: This premiered in early 2025 and showed a much darker, more dramatic side of her acting.
- Who Is Christmas Eve?: Not only did she star in this holiday hit, but she also served as a co-executive producer.
- Power Universe: While Lauren Baldwin's journey in Power Book II: Ghost was a rollercoaster, Paige's fans are still holding out hope for a return in some capacity or a new project with Starz.
They’ve been living together, traveling together, and basically being inseparable when the NBA schedule allows. It’s a weirdly stable relationship for two people in such high-profile industries.
📖 Related: Is JK Rowling Married? The Real Story Behind Her Decades-Long Relationship
Why This Connection Actually Works
Usually, when you see an actress and an athlete get together, it feels like a PR stunt. Or it lasts about three months before someone "unfollows" the other on Instagram.
But with Paige and Royce, it feels different because it started with a foundation of friendship. Paige has repeatedly called him her "best friend first." They aren't just red-carpet eye candy.
They also seem to share a lot of the same values. Paige is very open about her faith, and Royce seems to be a grounded, "gentle man" (her words). In a world of "situationships" and messy public breakups, their straightforward engagement was actually kinda refreshing.
Actionable Takeaways from Their Journey
If you're looking at Paige Hurd and Royce O’Neale and wondering what you can learn from their story (other than "be an NBA player"), here are a few things to consider:
- Trust your own timeline: Paige was intentionally single and working on herself when she met her future husband. Sometimes "the one" shows up when you stop looking.
- The power of persistence: Royce didn't give up when Paige tried to keep him in the friend zone. There's a difference between being creepy and being consistently kind. He chose the latter.
- Ignore the noise: When the pregnancy rumors and "how did he bag her" comments started, they didn't let it derail them. They addressed it and moved on.
If you want to keep up with them, your best bet is following Royce's Instagram (rolls_royce00) for the occasional "boo'd up" photo or catching a Suns game to see him lock down the league's best scorers. As for the wedding? No date has been made public yet, but knowing this couple, it'll probably be intimate, meaningful, and involve some very high-end red velvet cake.
Keep an eye on the Suns' playoff run this spring—don't be surprised to see Paige courtside in Phoenix, probably wearing some custom #00 gear.