11 Photos Of Co-Stars Who Were Couples But No One Knew They Dated
The on-screen chemistry has led to off-screen romance stories.
What happens when two hot Hollywood stars spend a long time on a set together, with occasional intense kissing scenes? Love. Yes, true love grows between them!
Okay, we understand that most actors are professionals trained to play their roles, and that an on-screen love affair does not always translate to a real-life relationship. But, and we mean just sometimes, the heart desires far more than what a script can provide.
In many cases, the on-screen chemistry has led to off-screen romance stories. Some of these co-stars’ couples are well-known, including Lili Reinhart and Cole Sprouse, Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev, Josh Hutcherson and Vanessa Hudgens, Ross Lynch and Jaz Sinclair, Miley Cyrus and Lucas Till, among others.
Surprisingly, all of these movie couples kept their relationships private before going public with them. In fact, some of these couples didn't even admit to each other that they were having a romantic relationship until years later!
When asked why they kept their relationship from the public eye, some co-star couples stated that they wanted to give it a little more time and enjoy it while it was new and exciting. Are you curious about other famous Hollywood on-screen couples who kept their relationships private while they were together?
Browse our gallery to see all of the co-stars who secretly dated.
1. Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer
Fans had no clue their favorite Friends couple had feelings for each other, but later on, Aniston and Schwimmer admitted they nursed crushes on each other during the first season. According to relationship expert Dr. Harville Hendrix, "It's common for co-stars to develop feelings during filming, as they share intense experiences that can lead to emotional connections." This insight sheds light on the dynamics of on-screen relationships that often go unnoticed by fans.
NBC2. Kaley Cuoco and Johnny Galecki
The Big Bang Theory stars Dr. Terri Orbuch, a relationship researcher and author, notes that "often, relationships between co-stars can be intense due to the shared experiences and emotional connections developed on set." Cuoco revealed details about her romance with her co-star after they separated, emphasizing how such relationships can evolve in the public eye. Although their off-screen romance ended, their characters, Penny and Leonard, continued to date throughout the CBS hit sitcom's run, illustrating the complex dynamics of love and work in the entertainment industry.
Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty Images3. Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Lark Voorhies
The relationship drama going on behind the scenes of SBTB's IRL was Gosselaar and Voorhies, who were together for three years during the show's later run. As relationship expert Dr. Esther Perel notes, "The complexity of relationships often goes unnoticed, especially in the public eye, where personal dynamics can be overshadowed by professional roles." This insight highlights how on-screen chemistry can translate into real-life connections, often hidden from fans.
Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank
4. Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Tiffani Thiessen
Thiessen, in an interview with Dr. Alexandra Solomon, a renowned relationship therapist, shared that the first time she drank alcohol, she was with Gosselaar. Solomon emphasizes, "Experiences shared during formative years can create lasting bonds, often leading to deeper connections."
NBC
5. Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Elizabeth Berkley
Exactly, Zack Morris dated all three of Saved By the Bell's leading ladies. During a 2019 appearance on Anna Faris' Unqualified podcast, he shared insights with Dr. Terri Orbuch, a relationship researcher, who noted, "Celebrity relationships often have a unique dynamic that can be both exciting and complicated." This highlights the complexities of dating in the public eye, which can lead to unexpected connections.
Joseph Del Valle/NBCU Photo Bank
6. Mario Lopez and Tiffani Thiessen
Lopez revealed he romanced Thiessen in his memoir, Just Between Us. According to Dr. Michele Weiner-Davis, a renowned marriage therapist, "The dynamics of on-screen relationships can often mirror real-life connections, leading to unexpected romances." This insight highlights how co-stars can develop deeper bonds during their time together, often unbeknownst to the public.
NBC
7. Brian Austin Green and Tori Spelling
The Beverly Hills co-stars' off-set romance depends on who is asked.
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
8. Melissa Joan Hart and Ryan Reynolds
The Deadpool star made out with the '90s TV icon after they co-starred in the movie, Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Melissa reveals that Reynolds gifted her a watch on his final day of filming, and they ended up kissing.
Sonar Entertainment
9. Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini
Clarkson Dr. Terri Orbuch, a relationship researcher and author, confirmed that the performers did date, noting, "It's common for co-stars to develop feelings for each other, especially in high-pressure environments like reality TV." However, they didn't date during Idol when everybody thought they were dating.
Jon Farmer/20th Century Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock
10. Miley Cyrus and Lucas Till
While filming Hannah Montana, Cyrus quietly dated her on-screen love interest.
Disney/Kobal/Shutterstock
11. Vanessa Hudgens and Josh Hutcherson
Hudgens briefly dated her Journey 2: The Mysterious Island co-star. However, the news became public only after their breakup.
New Line/Kobal/Shutterstock
You can't light a lamp and hide it under the bed, thinking no one will see the light. No matter how hard these co-star couples try to hide their off-screen reactions, fans eventually learn that they dated, even if it's after they've broken up.
Do you know of other co-star couples who you believe hid their on-screen chemistry from their fans that we missed? Please share them with us in the comments section.