Angela Bassett opens up on how she went from being a 'friend to being enamored' with Courtney B Vance

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Angela Bassett opens up on her enduring relationship with her husband Courtney B Vance and the challenges they have overcome together.

The actress told People that though they met at the Yale School of Drama in the ‘80s, it took them several years to strengthen their bond.

Angela Bassett said she wanted to settle at the age of 29

Speaking to the outlet about the plans she had when she was young, Bassett said, "I always thought I was going to get married, or maybe I thought I was going to have a kid by 29."

“But by the time I got to 29, there was no partner, and the career was taking off in a way that I had worked hard for and was really happy about," she added.

The Golden Globes winner and her 63-year-old husband reconnected when she had achieved success at the age of 38 following her Oscar-nominated role playing Tina Turner in the 1993 film 'What’s Love Got to Do with It?'

“When I met Courtney, I had known him in drama school, was very enamored of his talents, his gift on stage, and just him as a person, just a real sweetheart, found him to be supportive," said the 65-year-old actress.

However, it felt different this time as she said, “What I really loved so much about him was how supportive and engaging he is of everyone."

“That's something that really sort of opened my eyes, and I went from friend to being enamored with him in a different kind of way,” she added.

Angela Bassett says Courtney B Vance continues to be a very supportive partner

The couple got engaged after a few months of dating. The engagement took place on the night of Vance's premiere of the 1996 film 'The Preacher’s Wife', and tied the knot later in 1997.

In 2006, the pair welcomed their twins Bronwyn and Slater, and three years later, they wrote a joint memoir 'Friends: A Love Story' in 2009.

"From the beginning, he was always just a very supportive partner and he continues to be to this day. And our communication continues to be strong," said Bassett.

"But it always comes back to, he's always been thoughtful about me. His core burns pure," she added.

Reflecting on how their marriage of 29 years continues to strengthen their bond, Vance said, "It's kindness and support."

"There are no perfect marriages. It's work, it's understanding, it's apologizing. Our phrase is, ‘If you mess up, fess up.’ If you mess it up, it's okay. Say it, and it'll be done with," the Emmy winner added.