Normani and Dekaylin Metcalf have largely kept their relationship under control, but that changed Thursday when NFL wide receiver Metcalf announced their engagement at a press conference all over the place that announced his recent deal.
Metcalf, who was traded by the Seattle Seahawks to the Pittsburgh Steelers, was talking about his excitement to play for his new team when reporters asked if he wanted advice from quarterback Russell Wilson, who joined the Steelers on a one-year contract last season. Wilson also played for the Seahawks, where the two were teammates.
In Metcalf's response, he was not called his fiance with Normani, the 28-year-old singer. “I spoke to Russ yesterday. I proposed to my fiancé. He was the one who connected us, so he was celebrating it to us.”
While some celebrities are strategic about how and when to share engagement news, 27-year-old Metcalf seemed indifferent towards news politics. Instead, he eccentricly pointed out Normani, who had been looking at him from the side. “She's there,” he said with a smirk. “Tighten that rock, baby.”
It was a soft type of firing engagement. Despite officially making Romance's Instagram in a July 2023 story post, the couple barely eschewed the public's eyes. For many fans, the fact that they were even a couple was news. However, it was happy news for R&B fans who have supported Normani. She auditioned for “X Factor” from the age of 16 before joining the girls' group Fifth Harmony, opening up about her musical heartbreak.
At a press conference, Metcalf shared further details of the proposal. He said it happened the day before. “My family and her family were in Houston. It was my sister's spring break and we thought we'd bring the whole family together just for the big kunbaya and join our family in the ring.”
“They made me feel better,” Normani could hear him say in response.
The pair was featured in 2022 by Mr. Wilson and his wife, singer Ciara. “We hit it from day one. We're here,” Metcalf said.
In an interview with Rolling Stone prior to the release of her sensual album “Dopamine,” Normani opened about her relationship with Metcalf in June last year. I am very happy. A prayer that was undoubtedly answered. I've gone through a lot in my relationships. I'm a real lover girl. I put my heart on my sleeves and find space that it goes back and forth feels good. I like to see myself happy. I really do that. ” She added that Metcalf has inspired several songs on the album.
Ciara shared her reaction to the couple's engagement on Tiktok and posted a screenshot from a video call in which Normani showed off her ring. “@Russell Wilson and I knew when we introduced Yall three years ago. Love was really in the air! Now yall gon will be booed forever!! This was the best news! @dk metcalf @normani We love Yall!”
Some comments jokingly requested that Ciara expand its matchmaking service. For years, Ciara fans have also asked her to share a prayer that she said led her to meet Mr. Wilson. They have been married for nine years.
Hollywood has a significant share of successful matchups that sparked from friends playing matchmakers. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle met on a blind date set through mutual friends. Nicole Richie founded his brother-in-law, Benge Madden, along with Cameron Diaz. Ed Sheeran is responsible for the relationship between Courtney Cox and Johnny McDade. Meghan's trainer and Daryl Sabara were featured by Chloe Grace Moretz.
According to a 2025 survey conducted by Knott, which surveyed nearly 8,000 engaged couples, 16% met important others through mutual friends. This was the second most common way couples met. 27% of engaged couples met online.
“You just get that screening and guarantees from someone else,” said April Davis, founder of Ruma Luxury Matchmaking in New York, about why meeting through mutual friends is fruitful. “If it's being referred to someone with a reference, it's going to demolish the opposite layer.” A special concern for celebrities on a date is that they don't know if their partner's intentions or feelings are genuine.
The prevalence of online dating made it less common, but meeting important others through mutual friends has long been a tried-and-true way to find valuable romantic outlooks. Friends can do their initial review while ensuring that potential suitors pass the vibrator check.
So, do more people need to set up friends? Yes, Davis said – unless matchmakers criticize whether things go wrong.
