Halle Berry, Weds Musician Eric Benet

Feb. 7, 2001 -- Halle Berry knows how to create a Storm.

The model/actress, who played the mutant Storm in the recent hit X-Men, announced to a stunned crowd at the launch of her official “Hallewood” Web site that she and jazz musician Eric Benet have tied the knot.

Introducing the musical act for the Burbank event, Halle said “who better to perform than my husband.”

Although news of the wedding had been rumored throughout the day, the casual reference to her “husband” left the audience agape.

It’s Old News to the New Couple

It was revealed later that the two actually wed two weeks ago, but kept the news to themselves. He did not reveal the location of their wedding

Berry, 34, was married to Yankees slugger David Justice from 1993-97. The bitter divorce took more than a year as both sides sued for financial support. Berry at one point sought a restraining order after claiming Justice came to her home and threatened her.

Justice denied that he threatened her.

Berry told an interviewer last summer that she was so crushed when her marriage failed that she tried to kill herself and her two dogs.

Berry on a Roll

In addition to X-Men, Cleveland-born Berry won an Emmy, Golden Globe and other awards for her portrayal of the title character in the HBO’s Introducing Dorothy Dandridge.

However, she spent much of 2000 dodging the spotlight after being involved in a hit-and-run accident (see related stories, right).

She eventually pleaded no contest, was fined $13,500, placed on probation for three years and sentenced to 200 hours of community service.

Milwaukee-born Benet has received rave reviews for his recordings True to Myself and A Day in the Life.

NewsOne’s Rod Jackson in Los Angeles contributed to this report.