In the year 2023, the entertainment world was not just about captivating TV series, earworm tunes, and box-office smashes. It also witnessed the blossoming of some unexpected romances that left fans and followers agog.
Unexpected Celebrity Romances of 2023
The year saw an eclectic mix of love stories, from pop icons and Broadway stars to music producers and NFL players, painting a vibrant canvas of love in the celebrity world.
As we bid adieu to 2023, let’s take a walk down memory lane and revisit some of the most startling celebrity pairings that made headlines this year.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce
One of the most talked-about celebrity duos of the year was undoubtedly the pop diva Taylor Swift and the Kansas City Chiefs’ tight end Travis Kelce.
Since Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce started dating:
Chiefs are 3-4
Kelce has had 1 TDAnd now they’re losing to the Raiders… https://t.co/1072knERzZ pic.twitter.com/dRiJY7KSKQ
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 25, 2023
Their union was an unexpected blend of the worlds of music and football, a combination that initially left fans puzzled but soon turned into an intriguing fascination.
The whispers of their romance that started in the summer soon solidified into undeniable facts. Swift revealed that she began dating Kelce in July after he attended one of her concerts.
He reciprocated by discussing her on his New Heights podcast, which he co-hosts with his brother and Philadelphia Eagles player, Jason Kelce.
Taylor Swift is good for Travis Kelce, the Chiefs, and Kansas City. All Swifties are welcome to be Chiefs fans ❤️💛
The Dads, Brads, and Chads will just have to deal 😎 pic.twitter.com/b8nTs7y8yW
— BBQ Chiefs (@BBQChiefs) December 20, 2023
Their relationship has since been going strong, with Swift seen cheering for Kelce at numerous games, and Kelce flying to Argentina to attend her Eras Tour show.
During this visit, Kelce managed to charm Swift’s father, Scott, convincing him to swap his usual Eagles’ colors for a Kansas City Chiefs’ lanyard.
Despite his absence from Swift’s star-studded birthday celebration, Kelce has met many of her friends and has been largely accepted by her dedicated fan base, the Swifties.
Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco
Another surprising love story unfolded between the multi-talented Selena Gomez and music producer Benny Blanco.
Days later I still can't believe Selena Gomez is dating bEnNy bLaNcO. Call me tox*c, I'll happily agree. pic.twitter.com/tKp35BJarB
— Cherry 🍔 (@stfu_cherryy) December 26, 2023
Despite her past heartbreaks, Gomez surprised her fans by sharing a series of Instagram posts that showed her affection for Blanco.
The posts ranged from cozy cuddles to a picture of her wearing a large ring with a ‘B’ on it. The duo, who had been friends and collaborators for years, with Blanco producing some of Gomez’s hits like “Same Old Love,” “Kill Em With Kindness,” and her 2023 single “Single Soon,” seemed to have taken their relationship to the next level.
NEW POST – Selena Gomez's Secret Boyfriends & Erratic Behavior: Strange Relationship with Benny Blanco, Zayn Malik, Drew Taggart, Dylan O'Brien and more https://t.co/wwM7qp1XKr pic.twitter.com/Tc7ua7lIBi
— A. (@ScandalousMedia) December 23, 2023
The rumor mill started churning in October when Gomez liked and shared the announcement of Blanco’s cookbook Open Wide on her Instagram Stories.
By December, their relationship seemed to have blossomed overnight, leaving many fans in shock.
Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater
The year also saw the vocal powerhouse Ariana Grande find love with her movie co-star Ethan Slater.
Ariana Grande Gives a Cute Nod to Boyfriend Ethan Slater With Her Holiday Decorations https://t.co/ivagQQYX0P
— E! News (@enews) December 22, 2023
Grande, who is set to play Glinda in the upcoming movie Wicked, fell for Slater, who stars as Boq in the same film.
Their relationship had a tumultuous start, with both of them filing for divorce from their respective partners just months before. The news of their relationship, therefore, came as a shock to many.
The rumors of Grande and Slater’s romance started swirling in September, around the same time it was revealed that Grande and her husband of two years, Dalton Gomez, had filed for divorce. Slater, too, had parted ways with his wife and the mother of his child, Lilly Jay.
Since then, the couple has been spotted together on multiple occasions, with Grande recently seen supporting Slater at the Broadway musical revival of Spamalot.
Kylie Jenner and Timothèe Chalamet
The internet was abuzz when images surfaced of Timothèe Chalamet, the star of Wonka, in an intimate moment with social media sensation Kylie Jenner at Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour.
Kylie Jenner and Timothee Chalamet's sweetest moments: https://t.co/338XTYJwpB pic.twitter.com/GQ5Y8XyGMu
— Daily Mail US (@DailyMail) December 25, 2023
However, Chalamet’s nonchalance towards the venue’s no-smoking rule, caught on video, nearly eclipsed their romantic rendezvous. This unexpected duo has left many surprised, yet intrigued.
Speculations about their relationship began earlier this year, but their public appearance in September lent some credibility to the rumors.
Timothee Chalamet struggled to enjoy Beyonce's concert when Kylie Jenner was right there.
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.
.#CelebGossip #TimotheeChalamet #KylieJenner #Beyonce #CelebrityDrama pic.twitter.com/ZCOnfWlYHa— All Time Entertainment (@AllTimeEnt) December 21, 2023
Described as “casual” by many, People magazine reported that Jenner, accompanied by her mother Kris Jenner, recently attended a December screening of the film Wonka.
Jeremy Allen White and Rosalía
The Bear’s Jeremy Allen White and Spanish singer-songwriter Rosalía have struck a chord, creating a harmonious pairing.
Jeremy Allen White, Rosalía have been dating? Here's the timeline of their lovehttps://t.co/WKA64150WM
— 42 daily sports (@HsbZero) December 24, 2023
The couple was spotted enjoying a dinner date on December 14, unabashedly expressing their affection for each other, as reported by Entertainment Tonight.
Images of the couple show them smoking and cuddling, leaving onlookers curious about their relationship status.
Rindo pois sábado fiquei com um cara e enquanto eu beijava minhas amigas tentavam reproduzir a foto da rosalia com o jeremy allen white pic.twitter.com/G4OuTidloB
— a primeira helena da zona oeste 🇵🇸 (@dudaduda______) December 18, 2023
However, it’s clear that sparks fly when they’re together. It’s worth noting that Rosalía was engaged to musician Rauw Alejandro just a few months ago. Time will tell if this relationship heats up further.
Joshua Jackson and Lupita Nyong’o
In a surprising turn of events, Dawson’s Creek’s Joshua Jackson and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’s Lupita Nyong’o have been reported to be dating.
🔥🚨DEVELOPING: Lupita Nyong'o, The Kenyan Black Panther actress who said “I definitely feel that my mandate on this earth is to expand our understanding of African identity,” is now dating Canadian actor Joshua Jackson.
The media forces Africans that don’t know anything about… pic.twitter.com/ApOFpAqYyy
— Dom Lucre | Breaker of Narratives (@dom_lucre) December 7, 2023
This news follows the end of Jackson’s three-year marriage with Jodie Turner-Smith, who filed for divorce in October, as reported by Harper’s Bazaar on December 7.
Nyong’o announced her split from her ex-partner Selema Masekela on Instagram in October.
Joshua Jackson and Lupita Nyong'o were spotted together after their recent breakups: https://t.co/EkoPvCpJbz pic.twitter.com/oJrz5AGvEZ
— E! News (@enews) October 21, 2023
Coincidentally, she and Jackson were spotted at a Janelle Monáe concert on the same day, sparking rumors about their relationship.
As this relationship is still new, fans are eagerly waiting to see how it unfolds in 2024.
