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Cee Lo Green, Shani James announce engagement

The couple has been engaged for about a year.

By Marilyn Malara
Singer Cee-Lo Green, seen here attending the premiere of "Sparkle" in 2012, reports he and longtime girlfriend Shani James have been engaged for a year. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
1 of 4 | Singer Cee-Lo Green, seen here attending the premiere of "Sparkle" in 2012, reports he and longtime girlfriend Shani James have been engaged for a year. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 (UPI) -- Singer Cee Lo Green announced he has been engaged to his longtime girlfriend, Shani James, for about a year now.

Speaking with People on set of his upcoming music video for his single "Work," the 41-year-old singer revealed the details of his proposal and why he waited so long to make it public. According to Green, taking the next step in his relationship with James wasn't "something we wanted to promote."

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"We're a collective power together because our private life is sacred," he explained. "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."

About a year ago, Green surprised his girlfriend during an otherwise "typical" night in a music studio. "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," he said. "And I said [to James], 'Will you reach in there and grab something for me?'"

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The ring was waiting, illuminated by a light, and caught James off-guard. "It was the most beautiful diamond ring I had ever seen in my life," she said. "I said, 'Babe, I can't believe it.' He said, 'You've been such a good woman. You're such an 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 report they have not started planning their wedding but are looking forward to it. "I'm a pretty hands on person," Green said. "We'll be prepared to be spontaneous."

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