Emily Ratajkowski kissed a French film director on a New York City sidewalk in November 2025, and nobody knew his name yet. Three months later, the whole internet did. If you have been trying to piece together the real Emily Ratajkowski-Romain Gavras relationship timeline from scattered gossip posts, this guide lays out every confirmed date, event, and detail in one place.
Direct answer: The Emily Ratajkowski & Romain Gavras relationship timeline began in November 2025, when the pair were photographed kissing in New York City. Ratajkowski made Instagram official on February 19, 2026. Since then, the couple has traveled together to Paris, Mexico, and Rome, often with her young son.
Quick Info Table: Emily Ratajkowski & Romain Gavras Relationship Timeline
| Detail | Information |
| First spotted together | November 2025, New York City |
| Instagram official date | February 19, 2026 |
| Emily Ratajkowski’s age | 35 |
| Romain Gavras’s age | 45 |
| Emily’s profession | Model, author, actress |
| Romain’s profession | Film and music video director |
| Emily’s son | Sylvester Apollo Bear, born March 8, 2021 |
| Emily’s ex-husband | Sebastian Bear-McClard, divorced 2024 |
| Romain’s notable ex | Dua Lipa |
| Romain’s father | Costa-Gavras, acclaimed Greek-French director |
| Recent public outing | Rome, Italy, September 2, 2026 |
Who Is Emily Ratajkowski?
Emily Ratajkowski is a 35-year-old American model, actress, and author. You probably know her from the “Blurred Lines” music video or her bestselling memoir, “My Body.” She has built a career on modeling campaigns, film roles, and a wildly popular podcast called “High Low with EmRata.”
Before Romain Gavras entered the picture, Ratajkowski was married to film producer Sebastian Bear-McClard. The couple wed in February 2018 at a New York courthouse, only weeks after going public. They married at a New York court on February 23, 2018, with Emily confirming the news through an Instagram post.
They welcomed a son, Sylvester Apollo Bear, in March 2021. The marriage fell apart the following year. Ratajkowski filed for divorce from Bear-McClard, with reports citing infidelity as a major factor in the split. Her divorce reportedly finalized in late 2024, closing that chapter right before the Emily Ratajkowski-Romain Gavras relationship timeline began.
Who Is Romain Gavras?
Romain Gavras is a 45-year-old French film director. If the name sounds familiar, it might be because of his surname. His father is Costa-Gavras, the legendary Greek-French filmmaker known for political thrillers like “Z” and “Missing.”
Romain built his own name directing music videos for artists like M.I.A., Jay-Z, and Kanye West. He later moved into feature films, directing the Netflix crime drama “Athena” in 2022 and the action comedy “Sacrifice,” which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2025.
Before Emily Ratajkowski & Romain Gavras were linked to pop star Dua Lipa. Reports indicate the pair reportedly split, and Dua Lipa later began dating actor Callum Turner, confirming their engagement in June 2025. He also has a teenage daughter from a previous relationship, which reportedly gives him and Ratajkowski common ground as parents.
How Did the Emily Ratajkowski & Romain Gavras Relationship Start?
Every solid relationship timeline needs a starting point, and this one is easy to pin down. The two were first photographed kissing in New York in November 2025. Paparazzi caught them together during a low-key night out, and the photos spread fast among entertainment outlets.
At the time, neither Ratajkowski nor Gavras confirmed anything publicly. Fans noticed the connection anyway. The pair had been spotted together a few times over the following weeks, including on vacation in Mexico.
Picture it like a slow reveal in a movie. You see two people in the background of a scene, then suddenly they are front and center. That is exactly how the early Emily Ratajkowski-Romain Gavras relationship timeline played out for fans watching from the sidelines.
When Did Emily Ratajkowski Confirm the Relationship?
This is the moment most people search for. On Thursday, February 19, Ratajkowski shared a series of intimate photos on Instagram that revealed the relationship publicly. She did not write a caption. She did not need one.
The photos told the story clearly enough:
- One shot showed Gavras with his arm wrapped around her waist while she held a glass of wine.
- Another photo captured the two of them at what looked like a cozy restaurant dinner.
- A third slide showed their sneakers touching, a small but telling detail fans immediately zoomed in on.
The caption-less post featured Ratajkowski embracing her new partner, who held her around the waist with one hand and cradled her head with the other. Friends and fans reacted instantly. Fashion figures like Alexa Chung dropped supportive comments, and fans flooded the post with excitement.
This single Instagram carousel is the official launch date on the Emily Ratajkowski Romain Gavras relationship timeline, and it changed how openly the couple has behaved ever since.
Why Does the Age Gap and Background Matter to Fans?
People love a good backstory, and this couple has one. Gavras comes from film royalty through his father Costa-Gavras. Ratajkowski built her own brand from modeling into writing and business. Their shared industry connections, both of whom work in visual storytelling, give fans an easy reason to root for the pairing.
There is also the shared-parent angle. Ratajkowski has a 5-year-old son, Sylvester. Gavras has a teenage daughter. Two parents dating tends to move a little slower and a little more deliberately, and multiple outlets have pointed to this common ground as something that reportedly drew them closer.
Think of it like two people who already know the drill: school pickups, custody schedules, and juggling a public career with parenting. That shared experience often builds trust faster than a typical new relationship.
What Has Happened Since the Hard Launch?
The Emily Ratajkowski-Romain Gavras relationship timeline did not stop at one Instagram post. The couple kept showing up together in public, and each appearance added a new chapter.
Paris Fashion Week, March 2026
The pair attended events during Paris Fashion Week together, a natural stop given both of their ties to the fashion and film worlds. Public appearances at major fashion events tend to signal a couple is comfortable being seen as a unit, not just hiding out on private trips.
Summer Vacation Posts, August 2026
Ratajkowski shared vacation content over the summer that included glimpses of her time with Gavras. Summer trips are often a relationship litmus test. Spending back-to-back days together away from work routines tends to either strengthen a bond or expose cracks, and this couple kept showing up.
Rome, September 2, 2026
Ratajkowski and Gavras were spotted kissing and holding hands while strolling through central Rome, with her son Sylvester along for the trip. This is one of the most recent and most telling updates on the Emily Ratajkowski-Romain Gavras relationship timeline. Bringing her son on an international trip with her boyfriend signals a level of comfort and seriousness that goes beyond a casual fling.
Photos from the outing show the couple affectionate and relaxed in public, a marked shift from the guarded early months of the relationship.

How Does the Emily Ratajkowski Romain Gavras Relationship Compare to Her Past Relationships?
Ratajkowski has dated several high-profile figures since her divorce. She was linked to Pete Davidson, comedian Eric André, and DJ Orazio Rispo and briefly connected to musician Harry Styles after a widely photographed kiss in March 2023. None of those connections turned into a confirmed, long-term public relationship the way this one has.
Here is what makes the Romain Gavras relationship stand out:
- It has lasted longer publicly than most of her post-divorce connections.
- Gavras has met and spent time around her son.
- The couple has traveled internationally together multiple times.
- Both have been open about being photographed in public together, rather than avoiding cameras.
That combination puts this relationship in a different category than a short-term rebound, at least based on the pattern fans and outlets have tracked so far.
Real-Life Example: How Fans Are Tracking the Timeline
Imagine a fan opening Instagram every Friday morning just to check for new EmRata content. That is essentially what happened throughout early 2026. Every new photo of the couple, whether it was a grainy paparazzi shot or a polished Instagram post, got treated like a breaking news event.
Entertainment sites raced to publish the Emily Ratajkowski & Romain Gavras relationship timeline within hours of each new sighting. That kind of rapid coverage is common for A-list model and director pairings, similar to how fans tracked Dua Lipa and Callum Turner’s relationship milestones the year before.
What Is Next for the Relationship?
Nobody can predict a relationship’s future with certainty, and neither Ratajkowski nor Gavras has commented on long-term plans like engagement or marriage. Based on the pattern so far, though, the relationship has moved from secretive to public to genuinely integrated into both of their lives, including Ratajkowski’s son.
If the current pace continues, expect more public appearances at film premieres, given Gavras’s upcoming projects, and continued family-inclusive travel. The Emily Ratajkowski & Romain Gavras relationship timeline in 2026 has moved steadily forward with no signs of slowing down.
Key Takeaways
- The Emily Ratajkowski & Romain Gavras relationship timeline started with a kiss photographed in New York City in November 2025.
- Ratajkowski confirmed the relationship publicly on Instagram on February 19, 2026, with a caption-less photo carousel.
- Romain Gavras is a French film director and the son of acclaimed filmmaker Costa-Gavras.
- Emily Ratajkowski was previously married to Sebastian Bear-McClard, with whom she shares her son Sylvester.
- The couple has traveled together to Mexico, Paris, and Rome, and Gavras has spent time around her son.
- As of September 2026, the relationship remains public, affectionate, and increasingly integrated into both of their family lives.
Conclusion
The Emily Ratajkowski & Romain Gavras relationship timeline tells the story of two people who moved from quiet paparazzi photos to a fully public, family-inclusive relationship in less than a year. It started with a kiss in New York, became official with one bold Instagram post, and has since grown through international trips and shared time with Ratajkowski’s son. Whatever comes next for this couple, fans will be watching closely, and this timeline will likely keep growing.
FAQ
When did Emily Ratajkowski start dating Romain Gavras?
Emily Ratajkowski and Romain Gavras were first photographed together in November 2025 in New York City. She confirmed the relationship publicly on Instagram in February 2026.
How old is Romain Gavras?
Romain Gavras is 45 years old. He was born in Paris, France, and is the son of director Costa-Gavras.
Is Romain Gavras related to a famous director?
Yes. Romain Gavras is the son of Costa-Gavras, a celebrated Greek-French filmmaker known for political thrillers, including the Academy Award-winning film “Z.”
Did Emily Ratajkowski confirm her relationship with Romain Gavras on Instagram?
Yes. Ratajkowski confirmed the relationship on February 19, 2026, by sharing an unlabeled Instagram carousel showing intimate moments with Gavras.
Does Emily Ratajkowski have children with Romain Gavras?
No. Ratajkowski shares her son, Sylvester Apollo Bear, with her ex-husband Sebastian Bear-McClard. She and Gavras do not have children together.
Who did Romain Gavras date before Emily Ratajkowski?
Romain Gavras was previously linked to pop star Dua Lipa. Dua Lipa later became engaged to actor Callum Turner in 2025.
Has Emily Ratajkowski’s son met Romain Gavras?
Yes. Photos from a September 2026 trip to Rome show Ratajkowski and Gavras together with her son Sylvester during the outing.
What movies has Romain Gavras directed?
Romain Gavras directed the Netflix crime drama “Athena” in 2022 and the action comedy “Sacrifice,” which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2025. He also directed music videos for artists including M.I.A., Jay-Z, and Kanye West.
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