Baz Luhrmann's "Elvis" [1] biopic served as a launchpad for Austin Butler's newfound A-list-actor status, which is why more fans than ever are wondering who the future Dune villain is dating and who he's dated in the past.
Most people are familiar with Butler's nearly 10-year-long relationship with Vanessa Hudgens [2] that ended suddenly in 2020. Still, Butler had a few low-key relationships with other actors before he linked up with his current girlfriend, supermodel Kaia Gerber. For example, Butler and Olivia DeJonge (who played his onscreen wife, Priscilla, in "Elvis") reportedly dated throughout filming (No wonder their onscreen chemistry was off the charts).
Butler was first linked to Gerber in December 2021 but it wasn't until five months later that they made their red carpet debut as a couple [3] at the Met Gala. Though Butler initially posed for pictures with Priscilla Presley [4] at the event, he snuck some in with his girlfriend, too. Most recently, the couple turned heads with their firey chemistry at the Time 100 gala [5] in April.
Butler will next be seen taking his turn as a (very bald) villain in "Dune: Part 2 [6]," set to hit cinemas on 3 Nov. In the meantime, read up on Butler's star-studded dating history ahead.
Vanessa Hudgens: 2011-2020
Butler was in a high-profile relationship with "High School Musical" alumni Hudgens for almost nine years. Fans began speculating that the two were an item when they walked the red carpet together at the "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island" premiere in early 2012. Still, they stayed mum about their relationship status for the first two years.
Hudgens was the first to publicly acknowledge their coupling, calling Butler the "love of my life" in a 2014 birthday post on Instagram [7]. The former couple shared many adorable moments [8] over the years, including when Butler referred to Hudgens as his "rock" in an interview with Access Hollywood [9] at the premiere of his 2019 film "The Dead Don't Die."
The pair split suddenly in January 2020 [10], just a month before their anniversary. They didn't give a specific reason for their surprise split, but their busy schedules couldn't have made things easy.
Olivia DeJonge: January 2020 to November 2020
Butler was rumoured to be dating Australian actor DeJonge, his "Elvis" costar, for much of 2020. They made headlines after reportedly being spotted cuddling up at a cinema (per MTV Australia [11]) around the same time Hudgens and Butler's breakup was made public. Neither actor ever confirmed or denied their relationship status, but they were seen together several more times throughout the year, grabbing romantic dinners and enjoying the beach [12].
Lily-Rose Depp: August 2021
In August 2021, Butler and Lily-Rose Depp caused a major stir on the internet when photos surfaced of them sharing a steamy post-dinner kiss [13] in London. Like Butler, Depp was fresh out of a serious relationship — she and Timothée Chalamet had split the year before [14]. Relationship rumours swirled but were never confirmed.
Kaia Gerber: December 2021 to Present
Most recently, Butler has been romantically linked to model Gerber [15]. One month following Gerber's breakup with Jacob Elordi [16], she and Butler were seen stepping out of yoga class together and embracing each other while hanging out around Los Angeles, as per photos obtained by People [17]. According to E! News [18], the pair spent Valentine's Day together in London, and in May 2022, they finally made their red carpet debut as a couple at the Met Gala.
While the pair tends to keep their relationship low-key, they do show up for one another on special occasions. Gerber gave Butler a celebratory kiss [19] at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2022, where "Elvis" was screening, and they attended the Vanity Fair Oscars afterparty together [20] in March 2023.
Butler and Gerber are still going strong if their steamy chemistry in photos at the Time 100 Gala in April (pictured above) is anything to go by.