At a Glance
- Sean Penn, 65, and Valeria Nicov, 30, were photographed holding hands in Santa Monica on Jan. 14
- The couple wore coordinated black-and-white outfits during the daytime stroll
- Their outing follows Penn’s Jan. 11 Golden Globe nomination for One Battle After Another
- Why it matters: The sighting confirms the May-December romance is still active after a red-carpet debut and nearly a year of public appearances
Sean Penn and model Valeria Nicov stepped out together in Santa Monica, offering the latest proof that their relationship remains intact. The 65-year-old actor and the 30-year-old model were seen walking hand-in-hand on Wednesday, Jan. 14, dressed in matching monochrome looks.
Coordinated Couple Style
Penn chose a white button-up shirt, structured blue blazer, black trousers, and white sneakers. Nicov countered with an all-black ensemble: turtleneck sweater, peacoat, slacks, and sneakers. She accessorized with a black baguette bag and cat-eye sunglasses perched on her collar.
As they strolled, Nicov talked while Penn smoked with his free hand.
Awards Season Appearance
The Jan. 14 sighting came three days after Penn attended the 2026 Golden Globe Awards, where he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another. Inside the ceremony, Penn was photographed smoking at his table alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Hudson, according to a Wall Street Journal reporter’s image.
Nicov did not appear to attend the gala.
Relationship Timeline
- September 2024 – First spotted together in Madrid, Page Six reported
- October 2024 – Photographed at Los Angeles International Airport, per Page Six photos
- November 2024 – Red-carpet debut at the 21st Marrakech International Film Festival in Morocco, where Penn received a career achievement award
- May 2025 – Last photographed together at the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival
- January 2026 – Latest Santa Monica outing
A representative for Penn did not immediately return News Of Los Angeles‘s request for comment.
Previous Marriages
Before Nicov, Penn was married to:
- Madonna (1985-1989)
- Robin Wright (1996-2010)
- Leila George (2020-2022)
He has also been linked to Charlize Theron, Scarlett Johansson, and Olga Korotyayeva.
Key Takeaways
- The 35-year age gap has not slowed the couple’s public appearances
- They coordinate fashion choices for casual outings
- Penn continues to smoke publicly, even at high-profile events
- Their relationship timeline shows steady escalation from private sightings to international red carpets
