At a Glance
- Leonardo DiCaprio and Gwyneth Paltrow posed together at the AFI Awards on January 9, 2026, three decades after she turned down his teenage advances
- On a 2023 podcast, Paltrow revealed DiCaprio asked her out when he was 19 and she was 21 but she declined
- Paltrow is now married to Brad Falchuk; DiCaprio has dated Italian model Vittoria Ceretti since August 2023
- Why it matters: The photo marks a rare public reunion of two major stars whose early Hollywood paths briefly crossed
**Gwyneth Paltrow and Leonardo DiCaprio shared a friendly moment at the AFI Awards in Beverly Hills, recreating the chemistry they displayed in a February 1994 photo-only this time without any romantic tension.
The Oscar-winning actor, 51, and the Goop founder, 53, smiled side-by-side at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles on January 9, 2026. Paltrow accessorized with diamond pieces from Tacori: a Dahlia petal pavé bangle in 18-karat white gold and matching Dahlia double-petal huggie earrings.
Their reunion arrives years after Paltrow disclosed on the Call Her Daddy podcast in May 2023 that a teenage DiCaprio once asked her on a date. She declined.
The 1994 Ask-Out
During the interview, Paltrow stated flatly: “Nope, never made out with Leo. He tried back in the day. But he was already like, you know, he was very loose with the goods from when he was 19.”
Although she did not specify DiCaprio’s exact age at the time, a February 1994 snapshot of the pair at the National Board of Review Motion Picture Awards in New York City placed Paltrow at roughly 21 and DiCaprio at 19.
Where They Stand Today
Fast-forward to 2026:
- Paltrow wed television producer Brad Falchuk in 2018
- She shares daughter Apple Martin, 21, and son Moses Martin, 18, with ex-husband Chris Martin
- The former couple famously termed their split “conscious uncoupling”
- DiCaprio has been linked to model Vittoria Ceretti since August 2023
- The two were photographed on a January 1, 2026, yacht outing in St. Barths with Tom Brady and friends
- Ceretti, 27, told Vogue France in April 2025 that dating someone of DiCaprio’s fame level “is something you learn,” adding, “If what you’re experiencing is real… love protects and gives confidence”
Awards-Night Optics
The AFI event placed both actors among industry peers celebrating the year’s top film and television achievements. Cameras caught the cordial interaction, underscoring that any past awkwardness has long since faded.
DiCaprio had attended a January 7 screening of Song Sung Blue at Soho House Los Angeles with Ceretti two nights earlier, while Paltrow continues to juggle acting appearances with running her wellness brand, Goop.
Key Takeaways
- The photo-op closes a 30-year circle since a young DiCaprio’s unsuccessful advance
- Both stars arrived at the ceremony coupled: Paltrow with husband Falchuk, DiCaprio with Ceretti
- Neither has publicly commented on the reunion beyond the friendly images
Sources told News Of Losangeles that the exchange was brief and warm, reflecting the mutual respect built over years of navigating Hollywood at the highest level.
