AceShowbiz -

New couple alert; Joss Stone and Nelly. The two recording artists reportedly have been secretly dating. The Mirror which broke the report quoted a source as saying, "Joss and Nelly have been out on a few dates together."

Their secret romance is still in the early stage, but "we haven't seen Joss this happy in quite a long time," the source claimed. "It's great she has met someone as successful as she is and who understands the pressures being a performer can put on your life. And it helps that he is hot too - he is just her type."

The dating report has not yet been commented by either Nelly or Stone, who "is determined to spend more time on herself this year" after an ups-and-downs in her life. The source moreover also insisted "If she has a little romance along the way who can blame her. She certainly deserves it."

Stone previously was romantically linked to music producer Raphael Saadiq following his split from longterm boyfriend, songwriter and record producer Beau Dozier.