Congratulations
Cee Lo Green!
PEOPLE can confirm that the Grammy-winning singer is engaged to his longtime girlfriend, Shani James.
While filming a music video for his song “Work,” which will be released on his new album, Heart Blanche, Green decided to spill some intimate details of the unexpected news exclusively with PEOPLE.
With James, 38, by his side, Green couldn’t help but reminisce the moment he proposed.
“It was just a typical night at the studio, but then again, not so typical cause I did something extra special, out of the ordinary,” Green, 41, tells PEOPLE.
“I went and purchased a ring that we had seen together, maybe four or five months or so prior. I went back and purchased the ring and I just kind of had it stashed away in some old equipment. And I said, ‘Will you reach in there and grab something for me?’
To James’ surprise, Green had a special (and shiny) gift waiting for her.
“It was the most beautiful diamond ring I had ever seen in my life. It was lit up by a light,” says James. “I said, ‘What is that?’ He just looked at me and said, ‘Well…?’ And I was just like ‘Oh my goodness.’
She adds, “I said, ‘Babe, I can’t believe it.’ He said, ‘You’ve been such a good woman. You’re such and amazing person. You’re my life partner. You’re my best friend. I want to share the rest of my life with you.'”
The couple, who have been engaged for about a year now, have been hush-hush on the news for a certain reason.
” Truth be told, it’s not something we wanted to promote ,” says the singer. “We’re a collective power together because our private life is sacred. But you know what though, maybe it’s time. Maybe it is time for the world to know that I have a very secure situation and a loving woman supporting me the entire way .”
The former Voice judge , who was previously married to Christina Johnson, admits that he is thrilled to have found a “very genuine and honest” woman to share his life with.
“I appreciate her openness and willingness to love unconditionally ,” says Green. “She’s been so sweet to me through a number of different trials that come to test the resilience of a union to deem whether it’s worthy or not, whether it’s durable or strong enough. ”
He adds, “I think now that I’m describing it as she’s standing here, it’s kind of, surreal because it’s not exaggerated. It’s absolutely true. It’s absolutely our private life. This is my first time putting it into words. It’s also given me the opportunity to give it a poetic justice.
Though the two have not begun planning the wedding, Green says that he will be very proactive when the time comes.
“I’m a pretty hands on person,” he says. “We’ll be prepared to be spontaneous.”
