These days, it definitely seems as if the '90s are alive and well again, especially when it comes to movie and TV reboots and fashion trends. I'm definitely not complaining, because it's always fun to revel in a decade that brought us both Britney Spears and Beanie Babies. The '90s were an especially awesome time for celebrity gossip, but since social media wasn't around back then, it can feel like time has forgotten some pretty bizarre celebrity couples. Don't you worry, though: I'm here to remind you of a couple so perfectly '90s, you'll wonder why they never got married and lived happily ever after in an eternally '90s paradise. Ladies and gentlemen, the one '90s celeb couple you likely forgot about is none other than Madonna and Vanilla Ice.
I know. How is it possible that the gossip mill has forgotten all about this '90s power couple? I have no explanation, but I can't think of a couple that actually makes more sense than the famed one-hit wonder and the Queen of Pop. These two dated for only eight months back in 1992, but they did collaborate on Madonna's infamous Sex book, which Ice says actually led to their breakup. Sads.
To brush you up on your '90s scandals, back in late 1992, Madonna was at the top of her pop music game, and was frequently the center of controversy due to the graphic imagery in her music videos and performances. She released a coffee table book filled with erotic imagery, aptly titled Sex, which was released in tandem with her album Erotica. The book featured sexually explicit images of Madonna with a slew of other famous names, including Naomi Campbell and Isabella Rosselini and... her boyfriend Vanilla Ice.
Of course, as the decade wore on, Madonna reinvented herself multiple times, all the while remaining a force to be reckoned with in the music world. Vanilla Ice had one of the most notorious music careers of the '90s himself, but for exactly the opposite reason: He was branded with the dreaded "one-hit wonder" title after his hit "Ice Ice Baby" failed to translate into long-term rap success. He famously battled substance abuse and had an image revamp of his own as time went on as a reality star, seemingly good-humored about his early '90s roots.
Still, he blames the book and its explicit material for their breakup, reportedly revealing in 2011 that it wasn't what he signed up for.
The rapper reportedly told News of the World in 2011 (quote via Digital Spy),
I broke up with her after she printed that book because I was hurt to be an unwitting part of this slutty package. It was disgusting and cheap. We were in a relationship yet it looked like she was screwing all these other people ... I thought she was taking pictures and running round naked because she was like that. Then when the book came out I was so embarrassed and ashamed ... She threw me in like I was a product off a shelf and I didn't appreciate it. That was it and I ended it.
Still, Ice had only good things to say about the Material Girl herself. He reportedly added, "Going out with Madonna was exciting. She was older than me and a great lover. She's still the oldest person I've ever been with, so it was an experience." Charming.
In 2013, Ice also gushed over Madonna in a TV interview on George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight. "She was a sweetheart. We had great times," he said. "You take away the fame and everything and you've got two people who just basically had a normal relationship, and I wish I could tell you more about it and throw some fireworks in there or something but it was kinda cool." He revealed the pair also went out on dates in disguises to avoid the attention they'd garner when being seen with each other. You know, as couples do.
For her part, Madonna told Us Weekly in 2015, "Speaking of, if I were trapped on a desert island with either [ex-boyfriend] Vanilla Ice or Dennis Rodman, I would pick Dennis. He has a better sense of humor. Plus, he could always wear my clothes." Aw, Madonna. That's... cold as ice.
Though their love lasted about as long as some other '90s fads (Furbies and Tamagotchis, anyone?), these '90s icons and their short-lived romance will forever live on.
