If there’s one definite truth about celebrity couples, it’s that their love lives will always be the business of their adoring fans! That said, it’s no surprise that social media loves a good dating rumor, especially if evidence suggests a romance’s truth.
Some celebs like their relationship low-key, though, so they keep their it under wraps and even deny it at some point—until they can’t anymore. Below is a roundup of celebrity couples who initially denied their romantic involvement together, then eventually made things *official* to the public after some time.
Celebrity couples who denied dating rumors then eventually went official
Issa Pressman and James Reid
The latest couple to be the talk of the town is James and Issa, who seem to have *hard-launched* their relationship after posting their couple pics from the recently concluded Harry Styles’ concert in Manila. The Careless Music stars were initially rumored to be dating last 2020, and Issa was even accused of being the third party of JaDine’s breakup, a speculation that was quickly shut down by James, Issa, and Issa’ sister Yassi through separate statements.
Julia Barretto and Gerald Anderson
Julia and Gerald were first linked together back in 2019, following the actor’s controversial breakup with Bea Alonzo. Julia took it upon herself to deny whispers that she cheated with the actor—at one point saying that she would like to "disassociate herself" from the two stars’ fallout. Two years after, Gerald admitted his relationship with Julia and gushed that the actress is his source of happiness.
AJ Raval and Aljur Abrenica
Another couple who met through filming a movie together is AJ and Aljur, who sparked dating rumors months after the latter’s confirmed separation from his ex-partner Kylie Padilla in 2019. AJ consistently denied her involvement, even sharing a snippet of her conversation with Kylie to clear the air. AJ and Aljur went Instagram official last month.
Yen Santos and Paolo Contis
In one of the most controversial issues of 2021, Paolo made headlines when he admitted to cheating on his ex-partner LJ Reyes, followed by a sighting alongside his A Faraway Land co-star Yen in Baguio. The actor dismissed the dating speculations and said the actress only comforted him “as a friend.” After months of subtle cues and playful banters, the two went *official* with their relationship via a direct confirmation from Paolo’s part in an interview.
Leren Bautista and Ricci Rivero
It took quite a while before the public witnessed Ricci Rivero's hard launch of his relationship with Leren Bautista. The two were first linked during Ricci's breakup with his ex Andrea Brillantes in June 2023.
Ricci kept mum about the real reason for his split from Andrea, while Leren even issued an official statement denying their romantic relationship. It took a couple more public sightings of them holding hands, working out at the park, and watching a basketball game together before Ricci made everything official on his Instagram account in October 2023. He called Leren, the "real queen" in his life and declared that they have nothing to hide.
