Leonardo DiCaprio is ready to get serious with his longtime girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti, marking a significant shift for the notoriously private Hollywood star who brought the Italian model to the Academy Awards in a rare public appearance.
The 51-year-old actor stepped out with Ceretti, 27, at the 98th Academy Awards on March 15, 2026 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, where DiCaprio earned a Best Actor nomination for his performance in Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another.” While the couple skipped posing together on the red carpet, they sat side by side during the ceremony in what marked their first major awards show appearance since they began dating in August 2023.
Sources close to DiCaprio revealed the relationship represents a turning point for the Oscar winner, who has famously kept his romantic life under wraps throughout his decades-long career. “This relationship with Vittoria does feel different and more serious. He genuinely cares for her,” a source told People.
The couple first sparked romance rumors when photographers captured them strolling through Santa Barbara, California, enjoying iced coffees and ice cream cones. Since then, they have largely managed to keep their relationship out of the spotlight, with Ceretti maintaining her own successful modeling career while supporting DiCaprio’s film projects.
Ceretti attended the Los Angeles premiere of “One Battle After Another” in September 2025 and traveled with DiCaprio to New York City during his press tour for the film. Her independence and dedication to her own career reportedly appeals to the actor, especially given his demanding filming schedule.
The Oscars appearance proved bittersweet for DiCaprio. While Michael B. Jordan took home the Best Actor award for his performance in “Sinners,” “One Battle After Another” dominated the night, winning six Academy Awards including Best Picture. DiCaprio and Jordan shared a long, affectionate embrace moments after the “Sinners” star’s name was announced, demonstrating the camaraderie between the two actors. Co-star Teyana Taylor also earned a Best Supporting Actress nomination for her work in the film.
The relationship between DiCaprio and Ceretti has drawn attention due to their 24-year age gap, though sources say the actor displays more affection with the Italian model than friends have witnessed with any of his previous girlfriends. Those close to the couple describe Ceretti as independent, charming, and sweet—qualities that have captured DiCaprio’s attention in ways that feel different from his past relationships.
Following the Oscars ceremony, Ceretti attended Vanity Fair’s exclusive after-party, continuing the couple’s night of celebration despite DiCaprio’s loss in the Best Actor category. The appearance signaled a new level of public comfort for the typically private pair, who have spent over two years dating largely away from cameras and red carpets.
DiCaprio now turns his attention to his next collaboration with legendary director Martin Scorsese. The actor has begun filming “What Happens at Night,” in which he stars opposite Jennifer Lawrence. The Gothic psychological thriller follows a married American couple who travel to a small, snowy European town to adopt a baby, only to encounter mysterious events after checking into a cavernous, largely deserted hotel.
The project marks another chapter in DiCaprio’s longstanding partnership with Scorsese, a relationship that has produced some of cinema’s most acclaimed films over the past two decades. Production is currently underway in the Czech Republic, with DiCaprio balancing his professional commitments alongside his evolving personal life with Ceretti.
As DiCaprio enters this new phase of his relationship with Ceretti, friends and observers note the actor appears more settled and content than in previous romances. The model’s independence and established career provide a foundation that differs from his past relationships, allowing both partners to maintain their individual identities while building something together.
Whether the couple will eventually take the next step toward marriage remains uncertain, but sources indicate DiCaprio’s mindset has shifted in ways that suggest he’s finally ready to consider a long-term future with someone. For an actor who has spent decades guarding his privacy and avoiding serious commitments, it’s a striking change.
The Oscars appearance may signal more public outings ahead for DiCaprio and Ceretti as they continue building their relationship. For now, the couple appears content balancing their high-profile careers with the private connection they’ve cultivated since 2023—a new chapter for one of Hollywood’s most eligible bachelors.