Meet the Real-Life Loves of the ‘Ruth & Boaz’ Cast
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NEED TO KNOW
- Ruth & Boaz stars Serayah and Tyler Lepley as love interests
- The Netflix film, which was produced by DeVon Franklin and Tyler Perry, is a modern retelling of the biblical love story
- The romance also stars Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, Gregalan Williams, Nijah Brenea, Walnette Santiago Carrington, Christopher Broughton and Jermaine Dupri
Serayah and Tyler Lepley teamed up to bring Tyler Perry‘s romance film Ruth & Boaz to life!
In the Netflix movie, Serayah plays Ruth Moably, a musician who flees Atlanta to care for her late boyfriend’s mother, Naomi (Phylicia Rashad), in rural Tennessee. As she starts her life over, she meets Boaz (Lepley), and they quickly develop a deep romantic connection.
However, Ruth and Boaz’s relationship gets tested when her past follows her and threatens to upend her new, simple life. Ruth & Boaz, which is a modern adaptation of the biblical love story, also stars Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, Gregalan Williams, Nijah Brenea, Walnette Santiago Carrington, James Lee Thomas, Christopher Broughton, Jermaine Dupri and Chaundre Hall-Broomfield.
“Ruth & Boaz is a beautiful film about two people falling in love while fighting against outside forces,” Perry shared in a statement with PEOPLE. “DeVon [Franklin] and I loved teaming up to tell a well-known story rooted in scripture but told in a universal way to be enjoyed by a wide audience. Our hope is that people everywhere feel as much love for these characters as we do.”
While the film centers around Serayah and Lepley’s characters’ relationships, in reality, both of them are engaged to their respective partners.
Keep reading to learn everything about Serayah and Lepley’s real-life partners, as well as the rest of the Ruth & Boaz cast’s loves.
Serayah and Joey Bada$$
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Serayah, who stars as Ruth, is engaged to fellow entertainer Joey Bada$$.
The couple met at a mutual friend’s party in 2021, and although they had instant chemistry, they didn’t start dating until two years later.
The Empire actress and the “Survival Tactics” rapper sparked romance rumors in March 2023 when she appeared in the music video for his song “Show Me,” but they didn’t confirm their romance until June of that year.
Although Serayah and Joey keep much of their relationship private, they announced in 2025 that she was pregnant with their first child together, a baby boy. They have kept their newborn’s name and birthdate quiet, but confirmed in July that they welcomed the little one two months prior.
In July, Serayah also announced that they were engaged and expressed how “grateful” she was for her fiancé. After announcing their pregnancy, she spoke with Essence about their future together.
“I’m so excited to start this new chapter in my life, and I’m looking forward to all of the adventures that come along with it,” she told the outlet. “We are both in love with the idea of expanding our family together. It’s a blessing to be able to share these moments and be in harmony about it all.”
Tyler Lepley and Miracle Watts
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Lepley, who plays the heartthrob Boaz, has been in a relationship with his fiancée, Miracle Watts, since 2021.
The couple fell in love after working together on season 2 of the show P-Valley in 2021. The Harlem actor and the Wmns Cult founder went on to welcome their first child together, son Xi Leì Lepley, in October 2022.
After three years of dating, Lepley proposed to Watts in November 2024. He captioned a photo of the proposal at the time, “My Fiancé got a nice ring to it!! I LOVE YOU 💍❤️.”
Lepley is also the father of two children, Leo and Jade, from a past relationship with April King.
Phylicia Rashad
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Rashad, who portrays Naomi, appears to be single. The Cosby Show actress was previously married to dentist William Lancelot Bowles Jr. from 1972 to 1975, and they welcomed son William Lancelot Bowles III together in 1973.
The Tony Award winner moved on with Village People singer Victor Willis and got married in 1978, but they divorced in 1982.
Three years later, she tied the knot with sports broadcaster Ahmad Rashad, and they welcomed a daughter, Condola Phylea Rashad, in December 1986. The former couple were married for 15 years before getting divorced in 2001.
Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds and Rika Tischendorf
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Edmonds, who plays himself in the film, is in a relationship with Rika Tischendorf, the general manager of Babyface Entertainment. The couple made their red carpet debut at the Grammys in February 2023.
Edmonds and Tischendorf have since attended several events together and reflected on their relationship. In April 2025, she celebrated her beau’s birthday by posting a photo of them on Instagram.
“Happy birthday baby! You’re the best thing that ever happened to me and clearly the world! Let’s have the best day,” Tischendorf captioned the post.
Prior to his relationship with Tischendorf, Edmonds was married to Nicole Pantenburg from 2014 to 2021. The former couple, who finalized their divorce in February 2023, were granted joint custody of their daughter, Peyton Nicole, who was born in 2008.
Edmonds is also a father to sons Brandon (born in 1995) and Dylan (born in 1998), who he shares with his first wife, Tracey Edmonds.
Walnette Santiago Carrington and Donny Carrington
Derek White/Getty
Walnette Santiago Carrington, who plays Lena, has been in a relationship with Donny Carrington since at least 2020. In May 2021, Donny got down on one knee and proposed to his “best friend.”
The First Kill actress and the stunt performer married in November 2022 and announced that they were expecting their first child together in May 2023. They welcomed a daughter that August.
Walnette shared her love for her husband in a birthday tribute in February 2023 and captioned photos from their wedding, “I don’t know what I did to deserve a love like this but whatever it is, I’ll do it again and again if it means every lifetime with you.”
Credit to Nypost AND Peoples
