Tell Me Lies Stars Bring Real-Life Romance to Calvin Klein's Valentine's Campaign
The on-screen chemistry between Tell Me Lies actors Grace Van Patten and Jackson White has undeniably translated into a genuine off-screen romance. Now, the real-life couple, both aged 29, have channelled that authentic connection into Calvin Klein's latest and notably steamy Valentine's Day campaign.
Intimate Moments Captured for 'Our Calvins' Shoot
For the brand's new Our Calvins shoot, Van Patten and White stripped down, sharing a series of passionately intimate images. The campaign, shot and directed by Zora Sicher, features the couple kissing, cuddling, and cosying up in denim and underwear, effortlessly blurring the lines between romantic intimacy and high-fashion photography.
Van Patten reflected on the campaign's deeper meaning in an interview with Vanity Fair. 'Calvin Klein has always been about confidence, connection and being comfortable in your own skin,' she stated. 'Valentine's Day is such a good excuse to celebrate that kind of closeness. This campaign is about the easy, intimate moments – when you can be yourself, laugh, and just have fun.'
A Perfectly Timed Opportunity After a Tough Day
The actress revealed that the opportunity to participate arrived at an ideal moment, following an emotionally draining day on set for Tell Me Lies. 'It was kind of a hard day - intense scenes and we were just low-energy,' she told the magazine. 'We literally jumped up and down.'
Jackson White echoed her excitement, adding a humorous note about their altered on-set dynamic. 'We never do that… We couldn't fight in the scene, we were too happy,' he said.
An Experience of Unique Personal Intimacy
White described the Calvin Klein shoot as a uniquely personal experience that stood apart from their other professional projects. 'There was something very intimate about this experience that made it different from other projects,' he explained. 'Stripped back to just our Calvins, we were able to be fully present with each other and lean into how special and effortless our connection is.'
From Awkward Zoom to Real-Life Romance
The couple first met in 2022 while working on the first season of Hulu's drama series Tell Me Lies, which is adapted from the novel of the same name. Their initial interaction, however, was a Zoom chemistry read that Van Patten later recalled on the Call Her Daddy podcast as not immediately sparking romance.
'I was like, "Alright. It's fine. Maybe we won't get along." But, like, he's perfect for the part, and he's so talented and great,' she said. 'And so, I was half-really excited that we found the Stephen. But the other just kinda rolled my eyes a little bit.'
White later clarified he had been nervous during that call. When they finally met in person, Van Patten's impression changed completely, leading to the grounded, supportive relationship they enjoy today.
Contrasting On-Screen Toxicity with Off-Screen Ease
On Tell Me Lies, Van Patten and White portray Lucy and Stephen, college students entangled in a famously toxic and emotionally charged relationship. Off screen, Van Patten has emphasised how different their real dynamic is.
'Our relationship feels very grounded and easy, and we really understand each other,' she told People magazine in August 2025. 'And he's such a dedicated, ambitious human that I learn from every day, and he's so extremely supportive.'
How Real Trust Enhances On-Screen Performances
Despite initial concerns about working so closely with a romantic partner, Van Patten found it ultimately made her job easier, especially when returning to the show's intense narrative for season two.
'It makes me feel so safe and so comfortable and able to go there and be vulnerable, because I'm so comfortable with him,' she shared. 'And that part of it was so beautiful.'
White expressed similar sentiments in an interview with ABC News, highlighting the professional benefits of their off-screen bond. 'It's cool, we get to bring a lot of freedom and safety and we get to do whatever we want with each other because there's so much trust there,' he said.
The Success of Tell Me Lies
The pair's show, which first premiered in September 2022, has recently aired its third season. It follows the turbulent eight-year relationship between college freshmen Lucy Albright and Stephen DeMarco. According to industry reports, the series remained in Hulu's Top 15 most-watched shows for over 50 consecutive days during its second season, underscoring its popularity and the compelling dynamic Van Patten and White bring to the screen.
