10 celebrity couples no one remembers dated 

Hollywood romance is usually flashy, sensational, and plastered on all the tabloids. But there are some love affairs, however fascinating, that slide unnoticed under the radar screen either because they predated the stars' peak popularity or fizzled so quietly that even hardcore followers lost track of them. While power couples Brangelina and Bennifer have figured at the top of pop culture timelines, other surprising connections came and went as fast as they appeared.

Whether it was a flash-in-the-pan fling, a clandestine love affair, or a blink-and-you-missed-it romance, these celebrity pairings are among the most shocking endnotes in Hollywood's history of dating. From brief high-school romances that didn't make it to the red carpet to passionate connections that defined careers backstage, the actresses and actors listed below had romance chapters that rarely get mentioned these days.

What's most interesting is the way these couplings featured some of the business' largest stars, Oscar winners, worldwide pop stars, and television royalty. So, if you ever thought you were an expert on celebrity dating scandals, this list will likely blow your mind. Let's roll back the clock and examine more closely 10 celebrity couples nobody recalls dating but absolutely should.

Disclaimer: This article contains the opinions of the writer, that may or may not align with the viewpoint of the readers. Let us know your suggestions in the comments below.

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1. Ryan Reynolds and Alanis Morissette

Years before Blake Lively entered the scene, Ryan Reynolds was betrothed to Canadian rock star Alanis Morissette. The two met at Drew Barrymore's birthday party in 2002 and became engaged two years later. Amazingly, they were engaged for almost three years before breaking it off in 2007. Morissette went on to pour her heartache into the raw, emotional album Flavors of Entanglement. Reynolds has never spoken about the breakup in detail publicly, whereas Morissette called it "soul-crushing." Their under-the-radar romance is overshadowed by their more well-known relationships, so it remains one of the most subdued power-couple periods Hollywood forgot.

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2. Sandra Bullock and Ryan Gosling

In 2002, when he was "Kenough" and she was an Oscar winner, Ryan Gosling and Sandra Bullock kept it on the down-low after co-starring in Murder by Numbers. In spite of their 16-year age difference, Gosling went on to say she was one of the "greatest girlfriends" he's ever had. They didn't make it long, but it never became tabloid fodder, perhaps because Bullock is so intensely private. Gosling enthusiasts tend to overlook this period, particularly now that he's connected with Eva Mendes. Going back to their red carpet appearances together is virtually unreal for two stars whose spark didn't last long, leaving behind a faint memory in Hollywood's dating past.

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3. Bradley Cooper and Renée Zellweger

Bradley Cooper and Renée Zellweger maintained an ultra-low profile throughout their 2009-to-2011 relationship. Things died down quietly, according to reports, due to differing work commitments, with Zellweger even putting her career on hold to stand by him. In 2024, Zellweger opened up in an interview with The Cut, admitting the relationship taught her "how silence is sometimes louder than affection." While Cooper's subsequent connection to Irina Shayk captured the headlines, the low-key coupling is still one of Hollywood's most underrated love stories and one that most fans never knew existed.

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4. Natalie Portman and Jake Gyllenhaal

Natalie Portman and Jake Gyllenhaal had, in 2006, a brief relationship that died a quick death. There were several mutual friends and a huge intellectual chemistry, but the timing just wasn't right. Years later, in a 2023 Vanity Fair piece, Gyllenhaal called Portman "one of the sharpest people I've known." The duo crossed paths again in 2022 for a charitable cause, making fans curious. While the relationship was mere seconds long, it gets a place in a celebrity guessing game of "what-who"? Given that both stars were discreet, few pictures exist of them thus making the intrigue around this not-so-talked-about couple all the more alluring and mysterious.

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5. January Jones and Ashton Kutcher

Back in the late '90s, pre-Mad Men and That '70s Show stardom, January Jones and Ashton Kutcher were two struggling young actors. They dated from 1998 to 2001, but it didn't end well. During a 2009 GQ interview, Jones suggested Kutcher was not supportive of her career, famously informing her she'd "never make it as an actress." Ironically, she went on to receive Emmy nominations. Their breakup is rarely revisited, but that sharp quote still occasionally pops up online, reminding fans of their long-forgotten chapter.

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6. Madonna and Tupac Shakur

Definitely, this happened. Madonna and Tupac Shakur had a barely visible but intense relationship from the mid-1990s. They kept the relationship largely secret until 2015. A breakup from Tupac-to-Madonna letter that remained largely unseen surfaced for an auction. In that letter, he spoke candidly about their racial differences, weighing heavily on his image in the Black community. MTV also did a segment revolving around the letter in 2024 on their documentary Madame X: Unfiltered, where she called it "a moment I've never stopped thinking about."

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7. Tom Cruise and Cher

The 16-year age difference didn't deter Tom Cruise and Cher from enjoying a whirlwind romance in the mid-'80s. They met at a White House function and connected on Scientology and dyslexia in a surreal twist. In a 2023 podcast guest spot, Cher verified Cruise was among her "Top 5 lovers." The incongruous couple was eclipsed by their larger-than-life careers and was kept secret in plain sight. Cruise hardly ever speaks of it, whereas Cher has always been frank yet most fans still blink twice when reminded they used to be an item. A real forgotten fling between two Hollywood giants.

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8. Lindsay Lohan and Wilmer Valderrama

Around 2004 in the early 2000s, Lindsay Lohan was at the peak of her teen fame when she went out with That '70s Show's Wilmer Valderrama. They started dating around 2004, according to reports, when Lohan was 18 and Valderrama was 24 years old. This relationship caused some media commotion at the time, particularly when Valderrama disclosed private information on The Howard Stern Show, which subsequently made Lohan feel betrayed, she stated later. In spite of the public scandal, this Hollywood union is seldom recalled today, particularly considering how differently both stars have gone on to lead their lives since.

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9. Matthew Perry and Julia Roberts

Following Julia Roberts' guest appearance on Friends in 1996, she and Matthew Perry started dating in real life. Little-known fact: Roberts only accepted the offer if she could be included as part of Perry's plot. In his 2022 memoir Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing,

Perry recounted their romance and spoke about how his insecurity finally brought it to an end. With the tragic death of Perry in 2023, Roberts publicly confessed her grief for him, naming him "a generous soul."

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10. Kim Kardashian and Nick Lachey

Fresh from his split with Jessica Simpson in 2006, Nick Lachey briefly dated then-unknown Kim Kardashian. They were seen on a movie date, The Da Vinci Code, no less. Lachey later suggested their date was publicity-stunt fodder, stating, "She left the theater before me and somehow 30 photographers were waiting." Kim never publicly confirmed the shade, but fans have speculated it helped launch her into the spotlight. Looking back, it was a highlight reel for her days of fame-yesterday. Since Kim's an international superstar today, this teen celebrity moment barely seems real and nobody recalls even having it occurred.".