Louis Partridge has opened up about his relationship with Olivia Rodrigo in a new Esquire UK interview, saying they are "both in the relationship for the right reason" as they navigate a romance that has drawn public attention since October 2023. The Enola Holmes actor and the American pop star have kept their romance relatively private but have surfaced together at high-profile events, including Wimbledon and Glastonbury, underscoring the couple's attempt to balance visibility with discretion.
In the interview, Partridge described how the couple attends some of the "maddest" A-list events together, noting that having each other provides reassurance in high-pressure moments. "I just have no doubt that we're both in the relationship for the right reason, for example. I'm sure that's something you have to think about when you reach a certain level of success," he told Esquire UK. He added that going to events side by side helps; "it's nice to know that we can go to things together, and it's not the maddest thing in the world that you're sitting opposite who knows what. You've got a friend in those times."
Partridge also said he didn't anticipate Wimbledon being as public as it turned out; "I was not aware that was going to be a thing. I did see a lot of photos from that; it felt quite public. Olivia and I choose, or have been choosing, to not be so public. Obviously, it has been quite a big summer for her with Glastonbury, but there's a sanctity to being private."
The Daily Mail has noted that Rodrigo and Partridge may have reached a milestone in their romance after two years of dating, with a recent LA sighting showing them walking hand in hand while a large diamond reportedly drew attention on Rodrigo’s engagement finger. Jewelry expert Anya Walsh estimated the new stone to be "approximately 3.5 to 4 carats." Representatives for Rodrigo did not respond to requests for comment.
The couple first rose to widespread attention when they were photographed together in London in October 2023, and they have since made a number of public appearances, including moments of PDA at Wimbledon earlier this year. In a October 2024 interview with Elle magazine, Partridge lightly dodged questions about whether Rodrigo's song "So American" was about him, saying he preferred to keep certain topics private and that the couple maintains boundaries around their relationship.
Partridge has been forthcoming about the pressures of fame in relation to romance. He described his approach in terms that emphasize ease and loyalty: he sees himself as a "golden retriever" boyfriend type — easygoing and loyal, with a metaphor that suggests a preference for calm, steady companionship over spectacle. He recalled that in past relationships his mindset moved at a different pace, adding that he values a balance where two people can share space without nonstop public scrutiny. He also acknowledged that dating in the public eye adds complexity, noting that "you don’t need the voices of thousands of others in your head" when two people are trying to cultivate a connection.
Beyond his personal life, Partridge continues to build his acting career. He is slated to lead Steven Knight’s new drama House of Guinness, following high-profile roles in the Enola Holmes films opposite Millie Bobby Brown. He has also been linked previously to actress Sydney Chandler. As the public follows their every move, Rodrigo and Partridge have repeatedly emphasized their intent to sustain privacy while navigating a culture of intense attention around their relationship.
Requests for comment from representatives for Rodrigo did not yield immediate responses.