Most shocking celebrity hookups of 2023

This year has been full of fantastic TV shows, catchy new songs, and blockbuster cinematic hits. If that wasn’t enough, it has also brought culture fans some highly discussed new couples.

From pop stars and musical theater performers to producers and NFL athletes, 2023 produced some epic romances.

As the festive season goes on and the end of 2023 is in sight, here are some of the most shocking celebrity hookups that have taken place this year.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce

It is safe to say that one of the most significant celebrity pairings this year comes in the form of pop sensation Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.

It was the duo that the masses didn’t know they needed, but once the worlds of football and music collided, it was an odd but perfect match.

The fusion of the two confused fans at first, but that soon turned to obsession as the rumors circling over the summer seemed more than just that.

Swift shared that she first started dating Kelce in July after he attended one of her concerts. He then spoke about her on his New Heights podcast that he co-hosts with his brother and Philadelphia Eagles player, Jason Kelce.

Since then, the pair have become official, with Swift spotted at multiple games supporting Kelce, and he returned the favor and jetted off to watch her Eras Tour show in Argentina. There, Kelce seemed to win over Swift’s father, Scott, and encouraged him to swap his usual team colors of the Eagles to wear a Kansas City Chiefs’ lanyard.

Despite Kelce being unable to attend Swift’s recent all-star birthday bash, he has met many of her friends, and her loyal Swiftie fan base has also accepted him for the most part.

Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco

A recent declaration of love came from singer and actress Selena Gomez and music producer Benny Blanco.

She has had some heartbreak in her time, but although it seemed out of the blue for many onlookers, Gomez released a series of Instagram images showing that she is smitten with Blanco.

From cuddling up and leaning her head on his shoulder to sharing a snap of her wearing a large ring with a B on it.

The two had been friends and work colleagues for many years, with Blanco producing some of her hits, such as “Same Old Love,” “Kill Em With Kindness” and her 2023 tune “Single Soon.”

The real rumor mill started to turn in October when Gomez liked and shared the announcement of Blanco’s cookbook Open Wide on her Instagram Stories. In December, it revved up even more when Gomez treated her followers to their budding relationship by sharing their Instagram snaps and shocking many as it appeared that their romance happened as if overnight.

Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater

Upcoming Wicked the Movie star and vocal aficionado Ariana Grande found love with her movie co-star Ethan Slater this year.

Grande, who plays Glinda in the movie that will be released in two parts, worked alongside the actor and her new beau Slater for the flick, who stars as Boq.

The pair had a messy start with them both freshly filing for divorce from their partners only months ago which made the announcement of them dating that more shocking.

Things started to become clear in September when whispers of Grande and Slater first emerged. Not long before it also came to light that Grande and her husband of two years, Dalton Gomez, had filed for divorce. Fans also discovered that Slater and his wife and mother to his child, Lilly Jay, also parted ways and filed for divorce.

Since then, they have been snapped out together, with Grande recently watching Slater open in the Broadway musical revival of Spamalot.

Kylie Jenner and Timothèe Chalamet

Wonka star Timothèe Chalamet almost broke the internet when he was pictured getting up close with influencer Kylie Jenner at Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour.

However, their romantic outing was almost overshadowed by Chalamet’s disregard for the no-smoking policy at the concert venue, with a video capturing him smoking onsite.

Again, this is another pairing that many did not see coming, and although shocking it still works.

Rumors had started to pop up earlier this year, but their appearance together in September added some truth to them. Their relationship has been referred to as “casual” by many, with People reporting that Jenner and her mother, Kris Jenner, recently snuck into a December screening of the chocolatier film Wonka.

Jeremy Allen White and Rosalía

It was chef’s kiss for The Bear star Jeremy Allen White and Spanish singer-songwriter Rosalía making a new match.

They were pictured out for dinner on December 14 and apparently had no issues showing a public display of affection, Entertainment Tonight reported.

The affectionate pair can both be seen smoking and cuddling in the images, with little else known about their dating status, but onlookers know that when they do get together things start to heat up.

However, only a few months ago, the singer was engaged to musician Rauw Alejandro, so let’s see if this one goes from simmering to boiling.

Joshua Jackson and Lupita Nyong’o

One of the biggest shocks this year came from Dawson’s Creek alum Joshua Jackson and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever actress Lupita Nyong’o and the news of them dating.

Jackson’s ex Jodie Turner-Smith, filed for divorce in October, Harper’s Bazaar reported on December 7, ending the couple’s three-year marriage and how Jackson had appeared to have moved on.

Nyong’o shared the news of her split from her former partner Selema Masekela in October on her Instagram and the very same day she and Jackson attended a Janelle Monáe show together. This was the first sign of the pair dating.

As a new relationship, fans will have to watch on to see how it progresses in 2024.