Is it true love — or simply a fauxmance?
Rumored Hollywood relationships between co-stars have tantalized fans and juiced up the box office for decades.
From Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney going on fake “dates” in the 1940s (photo ops set up by p.r.) to Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt hitting it off on the set of “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” (the very real start of a future disaster), the question of whether on screen chemistry is real or just acting is a staple of Tinseltown.
In 2025, celebs are still fueling rampant speculation about their status — whether legit or choreographed. They’re being touchy on red carpets, flirting during interviews and getting caught by paparazzi at cozy dinners.
But which are the genuine article and which are fake?
Pamela Anderson & Liam Neeson
Their movie: “The Naked Gun”
Evidence for: Nobody saw this one coming. The 58-year-old star of “Baywatch” and the 73-year-old Oscar-nominated actor from “Schindler’s List” have been giggling like schoolgirls on every headline-making step of their film’s press tour.
Neeson got tongues wagging when he said he’s “madly in love” with his co-star in a fall interview with People. At the film’s premiere, Anderson gave him a big kiss on the cheek, and they sweetly posed together with their respective sons.
When asked on the “Today” show if they’re an item, Anderson coyly shot back: “I don’t understand the question.”
Multiple outlets have said they are, indeed.
“What is happening? Even they may not know,” a source told Page Six. “They are figuring things out along the way. It’s fun to watch.”
Evidence against: Since Neeson’s wife, actress Natasha Richardson, died in 2009, he’s only been in one reported relationship — with p.r. exec Freya St. Johnston. That ended in 2012.
And in October of last year, the Irish actor went so far as to close the book on ever dating again.
“No, in a word,” he told People. “I’m past all that.”
But, hey, one interview is not a binding contract.
Ana de Armas & Tom Cruise
Their movie: “Deeper,” out next year
Evidence for: Getting together with co-stars comes as naturally to Cruise, 63, as hanging onto a midair biplane or scaling the Burj Khalifa.
Here’s a sample of his resume: Rebecca De Mornay (“Risky Business”), Nicole Kidman (“Days of Thunder”) and Penélope Cruz (“Vanilla Sky”).
Could de Armas be next? Earlier this year, Cruise was seen having dinner with the “Blonde” Oscar nominee in London, and he took her on a helicopter flight.
“Their romance is definitely on the down low,” a source told Us Weekly.
They took in an Oasis concert and this week the duo was photographed holding hands in Vermont, where de Armas owns a house.
Sounds like somebody’s getting ready to jump on Oprah’s couch.
Evidence against: Rumors swirled in November that de Armas was getting close to Manuel Anido Cuesta, the stepson of the president of Cuba, after they were seen together in Madrid.
And, of course, there is that pesky 21-year age gap.
But that’s far from an impossible mission for ageless Agent Ethan Hunt.
Pedro Pascal & Vanessa Kirby
Their movie: “The Fantastic Four: First Steps”
Evidence for: Reed Richards and Sue Storm have been all over each other.
The Invisible Woman was hardly transparent when she stroked Mr. Fantastic’s face during a TV interview.
And onstage, Pascal, 50, stretched to grab the arm of Kirby, 37.
The British actress from “Mission: Impossible” and “The Crown” says the handsiness, which has confused some onlookers, is a result of actorly worries.
“What happened is we were both incredibly nervous going out in front of thousands of people who love this comic,” she told Vanity Fair of their Comic-Con appearance.
“He wanted me to know that we were in this together, and I found it a lovely gesture and was very glad to squeeze his hand back.”
Evidence against: While the baby in “First Steps” is a fictional character, Kirby is actually pregnant. She’s engaged to her American partner Paul Rabil, president of the Premier Lacrosse League.
Scarlett Johansson & Jonathan Bailey
Their movie: “Jurassic World Rebirth”
Evidence for: In June, the British “Wicked” heartthrob, 37, and “Black Widow” star, 40, gave each other smooches on the lips in full view of flashing cameras at the New York and London premieres of their dino blockbuster.
The PDAs drove fans wilder than if they’d spotted a T. Rex.
“We’re friendly people,” Johansson told “Today.” “I’ve got a lot of love to give. What can I say?”
And Bailey defended the mouth-to-mouth salutation to “Access Hollywood.”
“Life’s too short not to be able to show your friends the true love,” the “Bridgerton” star said. “Embrace kissing the friends, I say!”
Evidence against: Well, Bailey is openly gay, which could make this theory go quickly extinct. And Johansson is married to “SNL” actor Colin Jost, with whom she has a son. That’s another comet headed toward our fan fantasy.
However, as Jeff Goldblum’s Dr. Ian Malcolm once said, “Life finds a way.”
Glen Powell & Sydney Sweeney
Their movie: “Anyone But You”
Evidence for: This duo is about as old-Hollywood as it gets.
Back in 2023, Sweeney and Powell were at the peak of their powers.
During the rollout of the spicy rom-com “Anyone But You,” Powell had already emerged as one of the hottest new movie stars after the mega-hit “Top Gun: Maverick” and the well-received “Hit Man.”
And Sweeney’s fame had also exploded in the wake of HBO’s “Euphoria” and “The White Lotus.”
Then, shirtless and bikini-clad snaps from the tropical set caused cheating rumors, which both denied.
But the flames were fanned further when Powell’s girlfriend Gigi Paris broke up with him over the fracas. “I was shattered,” she later told the “Too Much” podcast, calling it “a p.r. scheme at the expense of our relationship.”
And Sweeney, 27, who was engaged to producer Jonathan Davino, played it up.
“It’s a rom-com. That’s what people want! Glen and I don’t really care,” she said to Variety.
The storm died down, and then this spring a newly single Sweeney heated chatter up again when she attended Powell’s sister’s wedding in Texas.
“Anyone But You” grossed $220 million. Hollywood pros have been jonesing for a similar dream situation to fuel their own films, sources told The Post.
Evidence against: Sweeney and Powell have always maintained that their on-screen chemistry comes from their great platonic friendship.
And last week, Sweeney was spotted vacationing at a lake in Idaho, and riding a Jet Ski with an unidentified smiling hunk.
Zoe Kravitz & Austin Butler
Their movie: “Caught Stealing,” out in August
Evidence for: Not only do Kravitz, 36, and Butler, 33, play love interests in a new thriller set in New York — they’ve both had recent breakups.
Kravitz split from fiancé Channing Tatum and the “Elvis” star called it quits with Kaia Gerber.
The whispers began after they were photographed filming a kissing scene.
Could they have been overcome by a hunka hunka burning love?
A source told the Sun, “Austin and Zoe have been spending time together over the past few weeks.”
And this month, Page Six reported the duo took in the show “Violet’s Room” in Hudson Yards with director Darren Aronofsky and were seen “heading out into the night afterward.”
Evidence against: Sources told TMZ Kravitz and Butler won’t be “Caught” in a relationship with each other. And back in March, Kravitz had dinner with “To All The Boys I Loved Before” actor Noah Centineo.
