Celebrity Power Couples: Rodriguez/Hudson, the Gosselins and Brangelina

The every move of a celebrity couple is watched carefully. Thus, even the most harmless spats or ill-advised tweeting can shine a spotlight on them. Similarly, acting normal and doing nothing can push a once-popular celebrity couple out of the public glare. Which power couples are fading out of the public eye and which couples continue to remain the spotlight?

5. Roger Federer and Mirka Vavrinec are a well-loved and respected by casual sports fans as well as tennis fanatics. Roger Federer is admired not only for his athletic accomplishments, but also for his good looks and classy demeanor. All eyes were on Roger when he met Mirka at the 2000 Olympics because fans wanted to see this formerly eligible and appealing bachelor fall in love.

Mirka, a retired tennis player herself, is a levelheaded partner who keeps him grounded, acting as his manager, biggest supporter, and confidante. Federer fans sometimes sport T-shirts saying "Mirka is boss."

Roger and Mirka Federer are healthy and stable, especially by celebrity standards. Whether or not they are still a "power" couple is debatable. They are too normal and healthy to be of interest to tabloids. On July 23, 2009, Roger and Mirka welcomed twin babies. They are likely too busy with parenthood to care about celebrity power couple status.

4. Yankees' short stop Derek Jeter made news when he began dating actress Minka Kelly in 2008. In October 2009, the New York Post suggested a feud between Yankees' girlfriends Minka Kelly and Kate Hudson because of their very different personalities and because of the Jeter vs. A-Rod rivalry. The media loves a catfight and will likely pounce on the slightest indication of animosity between the actresses.

Yet Derek Jeter and Minka Kelly may be falling out of the spotlight as a power couple. Compared to other celebrities, Minka Kelly tends to keep a lower profile sitting in the private booths at Yankee Stadium during games and avoiding paparazzi.

3. Alex Rodriguez and Kate Hudson are one of the most high-profile power couples in baseball. Unlike the low-key Minka Kelly, actress Kate Hudson is not afraid to show affection in front of the camera. In August 2008, Alex Rodriguez and Kate Hudson first made their splash as a power couple when photographers captured a picture of the two in a public smooch.

Unlike Minka Kelly who sits in the private booths, Kate Hudson cheers for her beau in the visible family box with other Yankee wives. Given Hudson's high-profile personality, she and Jeter will continue to be a power couple in sports.

2. Jon and Kate Gosselin remain a high-profile couple in spite of the fact that many people dislike them. The soon-to-be divorced reality power couple is like a car accident, not pleasant to look at, but fans can't help but to stare. Jon and Kate first catapulted to fame with their reality show Jon & Kate Plus 8 which focused on their adventures in raising eight children.

In April 2009, Jon and Kate became fodder for tabloids when allegations sparked over Jon's infidelity. In June 2009, Jon and Kate used their show to announce their separation. That episode was the most viewed of the entire series.

Since their separation, Jon has been romantically linked with Hailey Glassman and Star reporter Kate Major. Kate had been romantically linked with bodyguard Steve Neild but has denied the allegations.

There has also been controversy over custody battles. In September 2009, The View's Whoopi Goldberg criticized Kate for intruding during Jon's custody day and starting an altercation over his babysitter.

Fans remain hotly divided over Jon and Kate. Some accuse Jon of being an irresponsible philanderer and Kate of being a cold-hearted shrew. Yet there are others who claim not to pay attention to reality couples, yet secretly follow every development in the Jon and Kate saga.

1. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie ("Brangelina") continue to shine as a celebrity power couple. There are many factors that contribute to public fascination with Brangelina including their individual celebrity status, Brad Pitt's past relationship with Jennifer Aniston, Jolie's "wild child" past, and animosity between Team Aniston and Team Jolie.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie met in 2005 on the set of Mr. and Mrs. Smith. This was a subject of controversy, as he was still married to Jennifer Aniston at the time. Yet Jolie insists that she had not been willing to be intimate with a married man. Fans were divided between loyalty to Aniston and to Jolie. Tabloids harshly dubbed Aniston as "unlucky in love" and Jolie as a "home-wrecker."

Brangelina continued to make headlines with their subsequent marriage, humanitarian efforts, and worldwide adoption. When they adopted their daughter Shiloh, People and Hello! Magazines paid a combined total of $10 million for photos of the baby. Brangelina subsequently donated the proceeds to charity.

As a couple, Brangelina has been compared to Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton for being "a paparazzi's dream."

Sources:

Kate Hudson Feels Minka Kelly Brushback, New York Post

Kate Hudson And A-Rod's Public Smooch Confirms Romance, Celebrity VIP Lounge

The Brangelina fever, The Age

The View: Whoopi Argues With Kate Gosselin Over Custody, YouTube