If you spent any time watching daytime TV in the early 2000s, you remember the spectacle. It was 2004, and Star Jones was everywhere. Her wedding to Al Reynolds wasn't just an event; it was a corporate-sponsored extravaganza with 500 guests and enough "plugs" to fill a shopping mall. It was loud. It was public. And honestly, it was a lot.
Fast forward to 2026. The former co-host of The View is in a completely different headspace. She’s still the sharp-tongued, brilliant legal mind we know from Divorce Court, but her personal life? It’s quieter. Solid.
Star Jones and husband Ricardo Lugo have been married for nearly eight years now, and the contrast between her current marriage and her past is night and day. People often ask what changed. How did a woman who once lived so loudly in the tabloids find such a steady, private rhythm?
It turns out, the secret wasn’t just finding a new partner. It was finding a peer.
The Digital Meet-Cute That Actually Worked
We’ve all heard the horror stories about online dating. It's usually a mess of ghosting and bad filters. But for Star and Ricardo, the internet was actually the wingman they needed.
They met on a dating app back in 2016. At the time, Star was using her real name, Starlet. Her username was basically a resume: Starlet54LawyerNewYork. Ricardo, ever the literalist, had a matching vibe: Ricardo54LawyerChicago.
🔗 Read more: Why Sexy Pictures of Mariah Carey Are Actually a Masterclass in Branding
They talked for eight weeks before they even met in person. That’s an eternity in the world of swiping right. They finally met at a French restaurant for a champagne tasting. Star famously joked that the only thing she likes more than champagne is more champagne.
But beyond the bubbles, there was a shared language. Ricardo isn’t just some guy on her arm; he’s an Administrative Law Judge. He understands the grind of the legal world. He gets the pressure.
The Wedding That Didn't Have a Sponsor
When they finally decided to tie the knot on March 25, 2018, the vibe was a total 180 from the 2004 circus. They got married on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship in the Bahamas.
Sure, there were 150 guests—including big names like Tina Knowles-Lawson and Phaedra Parks—but it felt intimate. It felt like a celebration rather than a press junket. Star wore a Dennis Basso gown and looked incredible, calling herself a "Basso Black Barbie bride."
But the real kicker? They’ve kept that momentum going.
💡 You might also like: Lindsay Lohan Leak: What Really Happened with the List and the Scams
In 2023, they went back to the sea to renew their vows in Santorini, Greece. Most celebrity couples are lucky to make it to the five-year mark without a "mutually agreed-upon separation" statement. Star and Ricardo? They’re just getting started.
Being an "Instant" Family
One of the most heartwarming parts of this whole story is Ricardo’s son, Jake. When Star introduced Ricardo to the world at an event in Bridgehampton, she didn't just introduce a boyfriend. She introduced a family.
"This is my family," she told reporters.
She wasn't trying to hide the fact that she was stepping into a mothering role. For a woman who spent decades focusing on her career and her health—remember, she’s a major advocate for the American Heart Association and a heart surgery survivor—this pivot to family life seemed to soften her in a way the public hadn't seen before.
Why This Marriage Lasts While Others Fail
As the judge on Divorce Court, Star sees the worst of relationships every single day. She sees the pettiness, the lies, and the "he said, she said" drama.
📖 Related: Kaley Cuoco Tit Size: What Most People Get Wrong About Her Transformation
She recently shared some advice on The View: Behind the Table podcast that basically sums up her marriage to Ricardo. She mentioned how the pandemic actually made them stronger. Because she’s immunocompromised due to her heart history, Ricardo became her fierce protector. He wrapped her in a "cocoon of fun" at home.
Basically, she stopped having to be the one in charge of everything. For a high-powered attorney, that "exhale" is everything.
What We Can Learn From Them
- Wait for a peer: You don't need someone to complete you; you need someone who matches your frequency.
- Privacy is a choice: You can be a public figure without having a "public" relationship.
- The "Exhale" Factor: If you can't relax and be vulnerable with your partner, it's probably not going to last.
Next Steps for Your Own Relationship
If you're looking for that Star Jones level of stability, start by evaluating your "shared language." Do you and your partner have a foundation beyond just physical attraction?
- Prioritize the "Talk" Phase: Like Star and Ricardo’s eight-week preamble, don't rush the physical or the formal before you actually know who the person is.
- Seek Protection, Not Control: Find a partner who wants to create a "safe space" for you, especially during life's harder seasons.
- Celebrate the Milestones: Don't just get married and forget it. Renew those vows. Take the trip. Keep the "Anthem to Love" playing.
True love doesn't have to be a spectacle to be real. In fact, sometimes it's better when the cameras are off.