NEED TO KNOW
The Upshaws actor Jermelle Simon and content creator/influencer Obio Jones got engaged on April 25 in their new home
Though they discussed marriage and the future at-length, Smith was still surprised by Jones’ proposal
“Not to sound too cheesy, but…wow, I actually get to marry my best friend,” Simon tells PEOPLE
Obio Jones and Jermelle Simon are taking their relationship to the next level.
The content creator, 32, popped the question to The Upshaws star, 36, on April 25 in an intimate, family-filled proposal. Now, the newly engaged couple is opening up to PEOPLE about the details of the engagement and their plans for the future.
Jones and Simon’s love story begins like so many often do – through a digital connection. After watching an episode of the Netflix comedy, which wrapped its final season earlier this year, Jones sent an innocuous congratulatory message to Simon.
“He DM’d to congratulate/compliment me on my performance on the show. Real smooth like, but friendly for sure,” Simon shares.
That friendliness turned into friendship, and that friendship turned into something more following a date at popular downtown Los Angeles restaurant Joyce.
“He’s always been fine, but what drew me in was how intentionally nice he was/is,” admits Jones, who was slightly anxious to take things in a romantic direction, as was Simon. “‘Are we sure we want to risk our friendship for romance?’,” Jones recalls thinking.
Ultimately, they decided to take the leap. While the couple opted not to share how long they’ve been officially dating (“gotta keep something offline,” they said), they’ve shared more of their life together after Simon came out as gay last October on National Coming Out Day.
“Loving [Obio] didn’t feel like I was betraying myself,” says Simon. “I think he does a beautiful job of being mindful and aware of others. If there is a way he can help, he will.”
Over the past few months, Jones and Simon, who has three children from a previous relationship, have been having conversations about marriage, but there weren’t any hard deadlines on the timing of it all. However, Jones knew Simon would want something intimate. After the two moved in together last month, Jones decided to put a plan into motion.
“On the day we got the keys, everyone was looking at their rooms and roaming the home,” Jones begins. “[Jermelle and I] were in our primary room, and I had the kids come in one by one and hand him congratulations notes with I love you’s and sweet descriptions of who he’s been to them, and what family meant. He thought it was just in regards to the house, but I got on one knee and boom!”
Jones proposed to Simon with a diamond-encrusted Cartier ring in their new home surrounded by their loving family. While marriage was already on the horizon, Simon says that he didn’t see the actual proposal coming.
“[It was] a complete surprise, actually. I say that because normally, I would have some sort of idea about a thing. [Obio] involved the children, and everyone that was important to me, and no one said a thing,” gushed Simon. “I think it made it that much more special to me because not only was I ready, but I was genuinely surprised, which almost never happens.”
Jones and Simon are well known among their respective Black LGBTQ+ audiences. For many, they are a North Star of desire and partnership. While the couple is aware of their digital stature, Jones says that they don’t necessarily post for the love of the engagement. In fact, it’s merely an extension of what he’s already done as a content creator.
“I built an online presence around showing my life and the people that are involved in it (my dad, siblings, etc), and now it involves my fiancé. “We don’t overthink it – we may benefit if we did,” Jones begins, with a laugh. “We just have fun and the house is full of tripods, so it’s easy to push “record.” We also don’t forget that we’re in a relationship that’s public, not a public relationship.”
So, what does the near future hold for the happy couple?
“We’re going to give ourselves another month to stop mistakenly calling each other boyfriend, and then jump into planning mode,” Jones shares.
“I think within a month or so, we will decide if we want a wedding planner or not,” adds Simon. “For now, we’re just taking a moment to be present with it.”
Read the full article here
