I can say that Hollywood’s most private power couple, Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara, stepped out for a rare public appearance at the Fourth Annual Academy Museum Gala in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 19th. And the interaction between the two has sparked a renewed interest in their relationship.
The couple, engaged since 2019, and parents to a young son named River, looked stunning on the red carpet. Phoenix, 49, opted for a dapper suit with a bowtie, while Mara, 39, stunned in a vintage Givenchy gown.
A Tender Moment on the Red Carpet
As Mara posed for photos, the cameras captured a sweet moment between the two. Phoenix quickly bent down to smooth out the train of Mara’s sheer, floral-embellished dress, meticulously arranging the trim’s edge to lay flat against the carpet.
Mara looked on with a laugh, clearly amused and appreciative of her fiancé’s attentive gesture. The moment was a testament to the couple’s evident comfort and care for one another, even in the glare of the public spotlight.
A Famously Private Couple
Phoenix and Mara are known for being one of Hollywood’s most private couples. They have kept their relationship largely out of the public eye since going public with their romance in 2017, making rare appearances together on the red carpet.
However, their actions at the Academy Museum Gala suggest that the couple is still very much a team, with Phoenix eager to ensure his partner looks her best for the cameras.
Pregnancy Rumors Swirl
Interestingly, Mara’s ensemble for the event has also sparked speculation about a possible second pregnancy. The sheer, flowing gown seemed to gently drape over what appeared to be a baby bump, though the couple has not made any official announcement.
This will be Phoenix and Mara’s second child, following the birth of their first son, River, in 2020. The name is a touching tribute to Phoenix’s late brother, who passed away in 1993 at the age of 23.
A Dedicated Partnership
Despite their guarded approach to their private lives, Phoenix and Mara have occasionally opened up about their relationship and parenting journey. In a 2021 interview, Phoenix revealed that he hopes his son River will be vegan, though he said he wouldn’t “impose” his beliefs on the child.
Mara, too, has spoken about the joys and challenges of motherhood, writing a moving op-ed for 2020 about the plight of migrant children separated from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border.
“As new parents, it’s unbearable to imagine what it would feel like to have our child taken away from us for a day, let alone years,” the couple wrote. This dedication to social and environmental causes, as well as their commitment to raising their family, has become a hallmark of Phoenix and Mara’s relationship.
A Lasting Connection
The pair’s history dates back to 2012, when they first met on the set of the Spike Jonze film “Her,” in which Mara played Phoenix’s ex-wife. Though they didn’t start dating until 2017, the actors clearly developed a strong bond that has only deepened over the years.
In a 2019 interview with Vanity Fair, Phoenix revealed that Mara was the “only girl” he had ever looked up online and that they were “just friends,” or “e-mail friends,” before taking their relationship to the next level.
The couple’s decision to keep their personal lives private is understandable, given their high-profile careers. But their rare public appearances, like the one at the Academy Museum Gala, offer a glimpse into the tender, supportive dynamic they share.
A Celebration of Love
As Phoenix and Mara continue to navigate the ups and downs of fame and family life, their ability to still find moments of joy and connection is a testament to the strength of their partnership.
Whether they are welcoming a new addition to their family or simply supporting one another on the red carpet, this famously private couple has proven that their love and commitment to each other remain the top priority.
For the adoring fans and media who follow their every move, the small, tender gestures like Phoenix’s red carpet fix-up serve as a reminder that, at the end of the day, this is a couple who truly cherish their time together, no matter the setting.
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