Talk about a total surprise! Anika Noni Rose married her real-life prince, who happens to be “Greenleaf” star Jason Dirden. Deets on their fairytale nuptials that actually went down last year and more inside….
If there are two things Anika Noni Rose understands well, it’s the importance of timing and keeping her moves super low-key. Timing is everything for the actress and vocalist, whether it’s delivering her lines perfectly or falling in love.
The Princess and the Frog actress, 50, found her real-life prince! She secretly married “Raising Kanan” actor Jason Dirden, 42, in a private ceremony last year where “Euphoria” actor Colman Domingo was tapped to officiate. Due to their super busy actor schedules, the couple realized they only had two months to plan the wedding, which was held at the Paramour Estate in Los Angeles on October 16, 2022.
The two (pictured atop in 2017) met in 2014 when they were cast in the Broadway production of “A Raisin in the Sun.”
“We were friends for a couple of years, actually,” Anika shared with Brides. When they first met, it wasn’t the right time.
“We both went off and did our own things and were disconnected for a while and then swung back,” she continued.
“It was the right moment for both of us to be open and available for the possibility of what we have now,” Jason explained.
In December 2021, Jason, who starred on “American Soul,” got down on one knee during his family’s annual Secret Santa Zoom to ask Anika to marry him and had her whole family joi
“Jason played a beautiful video he created of our time together, underscored by Norah Jones’ ‘Come Away With Me,”’ and a phone conversation between Jason and his dad about love, partnership, and Jason’s desire to propose,” she shared. “When the video ended, with all our friends and family watching, he went to one knee and asked me to marry him.”
The lovebirds decided to keep their relationship a secret and waited until after their wedding to admit they were dating or even engaged. Wow!
On their wedding day, Anika decided she would surprise Jason with an original cover of their first dance song, Norah Jones’ “Come Away With Me.” Due to her hectic schedule, the “Let The Right One In” actress didn’t have time to record her vocals over the track until the day before the wedding.
“The only other person who knew that this was happening was the DJ,” Anika told Brides. “I saw the moment Jason realized it was me singing. Meanwhile, my family knew it was me from the moment the first beat dropped! Jason was so focused on the dance that it took him about two lines in before he had that ‘Ah’ moment.”
Love it.
For their “colorful” nuptials, “The Quad” star wore a custom gown with an illusion tulle bodice embroidered with thousands of Japanese micro luster beads, which cascaded down onto the skirt designed by London-based designer Gbemi Okunlola of Alonuko Bridal. Gbemi also used the sleeves of the bride’s mother’s dress to create a custom sleeve to hold her bridal bouquet.
“[Our vision was] that of a rose coming into full bloom, but without being too fussy. I also didn’t want anything I could wear on a red carpet,” Anika said.
She finished her bridal ensemble with a pair of Badgley Mischka “Nicolitie” stilettos, a pair of white gold sapphire and diamond earrings (a gift from her matron of honor), and a vintage handkerchief embroidered with blue flowers (a gift from her aunt).
“I wanted to look soft and pretty. Touchable. Ethereal and dreamy, and fully myself,” Anika shared.
The right music for the ceremony was crucial to the couple. They were certain they wanted a string quartet.
Stevie Wonder’s “Knocks Me Off My Feet” played as Jason and his groomsmen walked in, and then the quartet switched to the first few notes of the “Wedding March.” Then, as Anika was being led down the aisle by her father, Bianca McClure and Chrys Ryan sang “Best Part” by H.E.R. and Daniel Caesar.
The couple decided to exchange vows they wrote themselves. “Without consulting each other we ended up using the same phrase at the end of each [of our vows]. We couldn’t have planned it better,” Anika remembered.
After being officially announced as Mr. and Mrs. Jason Dirden, they recessed to Stevie Wonder’s “As.”
“We both love Stevie Wonder,” Anika said. “If we could have kidnapped him and had him there, then he would have been there!”
After dinner and dessert, it was party time! The couple hired George 2.0 (a friend from Jason’s college who has worked as both a DJ and a stage manager with various artists, including Janelle Monae), gave him some loose instructions, and ultimately trusted him to do what he does best.
”Colman Domingo, our officiant, started doing the electric slide, which is something that I never thought was going to be at my wedding, but it was so much fun!” Anika said. “Everybody knows a line dance, so all ages danced to that—there was an intergenerational joy and connection that was so fun to see.”
“We even had some impromptu dance battles!” Jason laughed.
Fun times. Congrats to the couple!
Photo: Randy Shropshire/Getty Images North America
