With the release of the viral Barbie film trailer starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, the actor’s relationship with long-term partner Eva Mendes has become a subject of conversation again. Mendes and Gosling have been together for over a decade, but they generally stay out of the public eye when it comes to official events. This week, Mendes shared some older footage on Instagram from the movie they allegedly met on, 2011’s The Place Beyond the Pines.
She captioned the clips, “Magic is Real. We did not meet on set. The magic started way before, but here’s a little magic captured on camera.”
A fan commented on the post, saying, “Eva, I want to be honest w u, but I hope Barbie will get through the Awards Season just to see you w Ryan. I know I’m selfish and probably a dreamer, but I will never stop to dream about it!!”
But Mendes wanted to make it clear that this was a pipe dream.
She responded, “You’re the best! What a cool comment; thank you. But we don’t do those things together…Like these photos I’ve been posting, I’m only comfortable posting because it’s already out there.”
She then added, “Oh wait -for those who may catch me in a “lie” -we only were on the red carpet together once when promoting this film.”
That is indeed the only picture of them on the red carpet together, taken at the Toronto Film Festival in 2012.
In fact, the pair have been so private that it isn’t even confirmed that they are married or not. But in November of 2022, Mendes was on an episode of Today for Australia’s Channel Nine when she seem to reveal that she and Gosling are legally wed. After being asked about how the couple and their two daughters have been enjoying Australia, she replied, “Everyone is so welcoming here, and my husband Ryan is here, and we are having the best time.”
Aimée Lutkin is the weekend editor at ELLE.com. Her writing has appeared in Jezebel, Glamour, Marie Claire and more. Her first book, The Lonely Hunter, will be released by Dial Press in February 2022.
