Some of the best (and the worst) celebrity couples are the ones you’d least expect. From Aaron Rodgers and Shailene Woodley – who we didn’t even know that they know one another – getting engaged to a potential throuple involving a Thor: Love and Thunder director Taika Waititi, Rita Ora, and Tessa Thompson, 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 and Jennifer Lopez, 17 years after they first called it quits. 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, with their friendship turning romantic after Olivia Wilde’s split from partner Jason Sudeikis in November 2020. They were first spotted holding hands at the wedding of Harry Styles’s agent on Jan. 4, 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.” Since then, the couple has kept a relatively low profile in both Los Angeles and London.
Aaron Rodgers and Shailene Woodley
When Aaron Rodgers announce he was engaged during the NFL Honors ceremony on Feb. 6, 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 it was Shailene.
The actress broke her silence on the relationship during her Feb. 22 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.
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 official confirmation of the pair of their romance. When they were spotted out on a sushi date at Matsuhisa restaurant. Since then, the couple has been much more public 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 reportedly hit it off after meeting at a gathering in NYC. Despite being seen holding hands in the UK during March. It wasn’t until April 5 that Us Weekly confirmed that the two were a couple. Pete also seemingly confirmed the news himself in a Zoom Q&A with students at Marquette University on April 11, saying that he was currently with his “celebrity crush.” By the end of April, the pair went public with their romance, after wearing matching necklaces, during a stroll in Stoke-on-Trent, England, marking one of the first times they had been spotted together since romance rumors began.
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck
Did we expect Bennifer to get back together 17 years after their? Absolutely not, but here we are. In January 2021, Ben Affleck reportedly broke things off with girlfriend Ana de Armas. Two months later, Jennifer Lopez and fiancé, Alex Rodriguez confirmed they had broken up after four years together. It didn’t take long for Ben and Jennifer to begin spending time together, with Ben reportedly visiting Jennifer at her Los Angeles home on April 30.
Since those early reports, the couple has taken trips to both Montana and Miami together. Over the years, the pair have spoken out about each other and the love they once felt so it makes perfect sense that People reports “they have a strong connection.” We’re not the only ones excited for a reunion as Matt Damon and the Boston Red Sox are also team Bennifer.
John Mulaney and Olivia Munn
On May 10, John Mulaney and their 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 May 13, the reports by People that John and Olivia Munn had starting dating after they “met at church in Los Angeles.” 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. You got this.” Olivia previously was dating Aaron Rodgers, another member of this list, from 2014-2017.