At a Glance
- Sean Penn, 64, stepped out with Moldovan model Valeria Nicov, 34, after declaring he’d stay single
- The couple debuted on the Marrakech red carpet in November 2024, two months after first being spotted
- Nicov speaks four languages, rides horses, boxes, and has acted in Emily in Paris and French TV
- Why it matters: Shows the Oscar winner reversing his public stance on avoiding romance after three divorces
Sean Penn is no longer riding solo. Less than five months after telling The New York Times he was “thrilled every day” to be single and intended to stay that way, the two-time Academy Award winner has been photographed repeatedly with Valeria Nicov, a 34-year-old actress and model from Moldova.
The pair first drew attention in September 2024 when Page Six published photos of them kissing in Madrid. Two months later they made their official debut at the 21st Marrakech International Film Festival, where Penn received a career-achievement honor. Since then they have attended the Cannes Film Festival in May 2025, the Lumière Festival in October 2025, and were most recently seen walking together in Los Angeles in January 2026.
Who Is Valeria Nicov
Nicov’s résumé lists dual careers. Her Instagram bio brands her an actress and model; her agency page notes training at the RADA Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and Paris’s Cours Florent. On-screen she has appeared as a bartender in Netflix’s Emily in Paris and in French series Mike and Don’t Worry About the Kids.
In front of the camera she has posed for Carolina Herrera, Dada Sport, and Bonanza, and is represented by Premium Models. Off-set skills include:
- Boxing
- Piano
- Equitation (horseback riding)
Multilingual, she speaks French, English, Spanish, and Russian, and occasionally sprinkles Italian into Instagram captions.
Timeline Of A Surprise Romance
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| June 2024 | Penn tells The New York Times he is single and plans to stay that way to avoid heartbreak |
| Sept 2024 | Page Six captures Penn and Nicov kissing in Madrid |
| Oct 2024 | Couple photographed together at Los Angeles International Airport |
| Nov 2024 | They walk the Marrakech red carpet for Penn’s tribute ceremony |
| May 2025 | Attend Cannes to support Bono’s documentary |
| Oct 2025 | Appear together at France’s Lumière Festival where Penn is guest of honor |
| Jan 2026 | Spotted on a casual stroll in Los Angeles |
Penn’s Earlier Pledge
Before the relationship surfaced, Penn gave a candid interview stressing his desire for freedom. “If I’m going to be in a relationship, I’m still going to be free,” he said, adding, “I don’t sense I’ll have my heart broken by romance again.”
The actor has previously been married to:
- Madonna (1985-1989)
- Robin Wright (1996-2010)
- Leila George (2020-2022)
He has also been linked to Charlize Theron, Scarlett Johansson, and actress Olga Korotyayeva.
Inside Her Circle
Nicov’s social-media posts reveal a close friendship with Emily in Paris star Camille Razat. In 2022 she called Razat “ma femme” (“my wife”) on Instagram; the two appeared together in 2018 at the Paris premiere of French comedy Paris Pigalle.
Key Takeaways
- Penn’s public appearances with Nicov mark a clear reversal from his June 2024 single-by-choice stance
- The 30-year age gap has drawn fan commentary, yet the couple continue joint red-carpet outings
- Nicov’s blend of modeling, acting, and equestrian skill keeps her booked across Europe and the U.S.
- With three divorces behind him, Penn’s latest relationship suggests a willingness to rewrite his own rules
