Some of the best (and the worst) celebrity couples are the ones you'd least expect. From American football player Aaron Rodgers and actor Shailene Woodley — who we didn't even know knew one another — getting engaged to Kanye West and Irina Shayk [1]'s budding romance, 2021 has certainly thrown us for a loop when it comes to celebrity couple expectations. As if the new celeb couples weren't already wild enough, 2021 has also seen the second coming of Bennifer, aka Ben Affleck [2] and Jennifer Lopez [3], 17 years after they first called it quits [4]. Ahead, see all the celebrity couples, so far, whose 2021 relationship revelations have left us with more questions than answers.
Olivia Wilde and Harry Styles
The two became close on the set of Don't Worry Darling [5], with their friendship turning romantic after Olivia Wilde's split from partner Jason Sudeikis [6] in November 2020. They were first spotted holding hands at the wedding of Harry Styles's agent on 4 Jan., 2021. A source later told People that "they were affectionate around their friends, held hands, and looked very happy. They have dated for a few weeks [7]." Since then, the couple has kept a relatively low-profile in both Los Angeles and London [8].
Aaron Rodgers and Shailene Woodley
When Aaron Rodgers announced he was engaged during the NFL Honours ceremony on 6 Feb., we never would've guessed it was to Shailene Woodley. Although he didn't mention her by name in his MVP acceptance speech, a source later confirmed to People [9] it was Shailene.
The actress broke her silence on the relationship [10] during her 22 Feb. The Tonight Show appearance, saying, "So, it's kind of funny. Everybody right now is freaking out over it, and we're like, 'Yeah, we've been engaged for a while.'" Although we're not entirely sure how they met, Shailene did reveal they met during the pandemic. What we do know is that they seem to have a lot in common, particularly their love of Disney [11].
Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian
After being friends for years, with Travis Barker even making a few appearances on Keeping Up With the Kardashians, things between Travis and Kourtney Kardashian seemingly turned romantic towards the beginning of 2021. However, it wasn't until February that the pair officially confirmed their romance when they were spotted out on a sushi date at at Matsuhisa restaurant [12]. Since then, the couple have been much more public [13] about their love for one another, sharing everything from love notes on social media to their PDA on date nights.
Phoebe Dynevor and Pete Davidson
Pete Davidson and Phoebe Dynevor [14] reportedly hit it off after meeting at a gathering in NYC [15]. Despite being seen holding hands in the UK [16] during March, it wasn't until 5 April that Us Weekly confirmed [17] that the two were a couple [18]. Pete also seemingly confirmed the news himself in a Zoom Q&A with students at Marquette University on 11 April, saying that he was currently with his "celebrity crush [19]." By the end of April, the pair went public with their romance, after wearing matching necklaces [20], during a stroll in Stoke-on-Trent, England, marking one of the first times they had been spotted together since romance rumours began.
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck
Did we expect Bennifer to get back together 17 years after they split?? Absolutely not, but here we are. In January 2021, Ben Affleck reportedly broke things off [21] with girlfriend Ana de Armas. Two months later, Jennifer Lopez and fiancé Alex Rodriguez confirmed they had broken up [22] after four years together. It didn't take long for Ben and Jennifer to begin spending time together [23], with Ben reportedly visiting Jennifer at her Los Angeles home on 30 April.
Since those early reports, the couple has taken trips to both Montana [24] and Miami [25] together. Over the years, the pair has spoken out about each other [26] and the love they once felt so it makes perfect sense that People reports "they have a strong connection [27]." We're not the only ones excited for a reunion as Matt Damon [28] and the Boston Red Sox [29] are also team Bennifer.
Rita Ora and Taika Waititi
Rita was first romantically linked to director Taika Waititi after including a pic of the pair in a gallery [30] on Instagram on 21 April with the caption, "Good times, memories, random things on my phone and the ones I love." In the photo, the two appear to be in an intimate embrace while wearing matching Gucci cardigans. They were later spotted together on 30 April attending the Sydney premiere of RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under.
John Mulaney and Olivia Munn
On 10 May, John Mulaney and wife Annamarie Tendler announced their separation after nearly seven years of marriage. "John will not have any further comment as he continues to focus on his recovery and getting back to work," the comedian's rep said in a statement. Days later, on 13 May, it was reported by People that John and Olivia Munn had starting dating after they "met at church in Los Angeles [31]." The pair have been friends on social media for years, with the actress tweeting her support for the comedian upon his entrance into rehab back in December 2020, saying, "Sending SO MUCH love and support to John Mulaney [32]. You got this." Olivia previously dated Aaron Rodgers [33], another member of this list, from 2014-2017.
Adele and Rich Paul
The singer and sports agent first sparked romance rumours when they were spotted attending the NBA Finals together in July. In August, Us Weekly confirmed they are an item [37], noting that they've been dating "for months". "They have travelled with each other between Los Angeles and New York," an insider told the publication. "He's very shy and keeps a low profile when they go out, whereas Adele is super sociable."
Kanye West and Irina Shayk
Kanye and Irina were first spotted together while on holiday in France [38] in June. Rumours of a romance between the two [39] had been brewing for quite some time, with People reporting on June 10 that Kanye began "pursuing" Irina [40] several weeks prior. A source told E! News on 9 June that "Kanye and Irina connected recently [41] when they were both in New York City. They met up one night and had chemistry and hit it off."
Renée Zellweger and Ant Anstead
On 24 June, People confirmed that the Oscar winner and the Wheeler Dealers star were dating [42]. It's unclear when the pair first started dating, although they allegedly met on the set of the Discovery+ series Celebrity IOU: Joyride. The news comes just days after People reported that Ant had finalised his divorce [43] with Flip or Flop's Christina Haack, nine months after they initially split.