We hear about public figures coming in and out of relationships with each other all the time. Some we know more about than others, but these relationships are nevertheless… quite public. We’re all well-aware of the three-year romance between reality star Kylie Jenner and Oscar-nominated actor Timothée Chalamet, for example. Or of the rocky relationship between Justin and Hailey Bieber. Both are examples of highly famous couples in the entertainment industry that time and time again have captured public interest with both their profession and personal lives.
But what makes one relationship feel so unexpectedly successful, while another seems as if it is headed to obvious doom? What can people under the public eye do to improve their chances of lasting together against all odds?
Now, I am not a couples therapist, nor am I a celebrity, but I have seen and staned my fair share of popular celebrity relationships in my time, and have taken note of the differences between a successful one and the not-so. Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet’s relationship is an interesting blueprint to explore as we look for answers to the questions above. Despite both of them being highly successful in their fields and, obviously, really well-known by the general public, it is noteworthy how private they have kept their relationship. There is a key difference between how they actively choose to share their relationship with the world, especially compared to other famous couples. Kylie and Timothée have taken a notably restrained approach to visibility, unlike their previous high-profile relationships. For most of their time together, they’ve avoided posting one another on social media, limiting visibility to public appearances and letting the “aww” moments speak for themselves.
Via tchalamet, kyliejenner
Even if you go to Kylie’s Instagram account right now, three years into the relationship, you will find many posts of Kylie herself, some with her sisters and the rest of the Kardashian family, but none of her boyfriend. For someone who has always been so public with every aspect of her life, it is quite surprising how closely guarded that relationship is. In a recent interview, Chalamet was even asked about a potential engagement, to which he casually replied, "Wow...that’s so personal.”
However, it’s clear that Kylie and Timothée are not being secretive about their love. We all know they are dating, we’ve seen them at countless events and red carpets happily at each other’s side. They are simply being intentionally private.
It’s not easy for celebrities to keep their love life to themselves. The general public often acts as if they are entitled to that information and will do anything to discover personal details about well-known figures, with or without their consent. It is no coincidence that the Cambridge Dictionary named “parasocial” as the Word of the Year for 2025; the line between a celebrity’s private and public life gets more and more blurred with each passing year. This then leads audiences and fans to feel closer to people they never met. Just as I would want to know about my best friend’s newest relationship, a parasocial relationship with celebrities can often make us want to know all their hot details as well.
Many celebrities deal with that in different ways. Some keep their private lives, and especially romantic ones, as private as possible. Take Pedro Pascal, for example. For someone who has been labeled the internet’s “daddy,” he keeps his romantic life very quiet. He has let the internet speculate on his sexuality and dating history for years, without confirming or denying any theory, and does not seem intent on supplying answers on the subject anytime soon.
Another great example of a famous couple who managed to balance their public lives with their privacy is Tom Holland and Zendaya. Personally, when the rumors of their relationship started circulating, I was sure it was all a public stunt to promote the newest Spider-Man film. The relationship was so secretive that there was barely any information about it, and I found it hard to believe it was real. But even after their relationship was confirmed, Tom and Zendaya always kept any information about it closed and close to their chests. The only reason the public knew they were engaged was because Zendaya was seen wearing an engagement ring during the 2025 Golden Globes. There was no sappy Instagram post or official announcement. They simply lived their lives in private and allowed the rest of the world to catch up later.
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On the other hand, some couples share every little detail of their relationship with the world, allowing the public to pick it apart however they see fit. Brooklyn Beckham, David and Victoria Beckham’s eldest child, and actress Nicola Peltz’s relationship is a classic, highly visible relationship. From their engagement announcement in July 2020 and lavish April 2022 wedding to frequent social media posts together, the pair have actively invited attention to their relationship. Beckham’s Instagram post revealing the engagement was heartfelt and widely shared, with declarations of love and commitment that played directly into fan interest.
More recently, their public persona became even more pronounced in a family drama that unfolded over social media. In early 2026, Brooklyn Beckham posted a lengthy statement on Instagram accusing his parents, David and Victoria Beckham, of interfering with his marriage to Peltz and prioritizing the family brand over personal relationships. This public airing of grievances didn’t stay private. Instead, it became part of the international celebrity news cycle, with both sides of the Beckham family issuing indirect responses and appearances that underscored the drama.
Additionally, there are social media influencers who base their entire careers on their relationship, using people’s curiosity as a way to farm engagement and clout. Every single dilemma they have as a couple is translated into a viral video, and an inevitable breakup leads to apology videos and online drama. Privacy is almost nonexistent, as these public couples almost seem to personally invite people into their homes and discuss their more intimate matters.
In between the two sides, you can find Kylie and Timothée’s relationship, well-known by the public, but still mostly private. The couple seems to understand that privacy protects what publicity often erodes. By keeping their relationship out of constant digital reach, they’ve removed the public’s ability to overanalyze and speculate. If people see them together, it’s a simple “good for them.”
Maybe that’s the secret they’ve uncovered? That celebrity dating doesn’t have to mean everyone and their moms get full access. Not secretive, not hidden. Just private. Let the public feast their eyes during award shows and red carpets! The rest of the time, lay off the social media posts if you want the safe space to nurture the relationship… alone.
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