Hollywood heartthrob Austin Butler has finally broken his silence about the swirling romance rumours linking him to supermodel Emily Ratajkowski, firmly stating they are simply friends while revealing he's currently single.
The Dinner That Sparked Speculation
In September, the Elvis actor and the Vogue model were spotted sharing an intimate booth at New York City's exclusive Waverly Inn in the West Village. An eyewitness told Page Six at the time that Butler had his arm "around her" and "kept nodding at what she said." The cosy dinner date sent the rumour mill into overdrive, particularly as the pair had also been seen together in August at the afterparty for the NYC premiere of his film Caught Stealing.
Butler addressed the speculation directly in an interview for Vanity Fair's Men's Issue, which hits newsstands on December 2. "The true answer is that I have a lot of friends, and we're friends and we had dinner, and that we're friends," the 34-year-old actor stated, emphasising the platonic nature of their relationship.
A History of High-Profile Relationships
The Dune: Part Two star's love life has consistently captured public attention over the years. Butler previously dated High School Musical star Vanessa Hudgens before moving on to model Kaia Gerber. He has also been linked to actress Olivia DeJonge and Johnny Depp's daughter, Lily-Rose Depp, making his romantic history a frequent topic of tabloid discussion.
Meanwhile, Ratajkowski has since been photographed with musician Shaboozey. The DKNY model was previously married to film producer Sebastian Bear-McClard, with whom she shares a four-year-old son named Sylvester.
Seeking Privacy in the Public Eye
During his candid conversation with Vanity Fair, Butler expressed weariness about the constant public scrutiny of his personal life. The Oscar-nominated actor revealed he sometimes longs for a simpler era in Hollywood when fans didn't pry as much into celebrities' private affairs.
"I used to think that in order to be a great artist, I had to destroy the rest of my life," Butler reflected, adding: "So much of it is this fear that my own experience, my own emotions, my own soul isn't enough."
The California native admitted there have been moments when he "just wanted to hide" from the spotlight but questioned whether retreating entirely was the right approach. "I'm going to live a constricted, small life because I'm afraid of what other people are going to say or what they're going to think?" he pondered rhetorically.
Looking toward the future, Butler considered how his experiences might shape his personal relationships. "You get one life, so how can I allow that to hopefully make me a better friend and a better partner—and a better husband, one day, and a better father, one day, God willing?"
Vanity Fair's Hollywood Portfolio
Butler appears in Vanity Fair's 32nd annual Hollywood Men's Issue, shot by photographer Theo Wenner and styled by Tom Guinness. The portfolio, titled "The 2026 Hollywood Issue: A$AP Rocky, Glen Powell, and 10 More Leading Men," features an impressive roster of talent including:
- Paul Mescal
- Michael B. Jordan
- Jeremy Allen White
- A$AP Rocky
- Glen Powell
- LaKeith Stanfield
- Callum Turner
- Riz Ahmed
- Jonathan Bailey
- Harris Dickinson
- Andrew Garfield
The issue showcases a collection of group and solo portraits alongside exclusive interviews and videos, celebrating some of the most prominent male actors currently shaping the entertainment industry.
