Now Reading: The Truth Behind Emily Ratajkowski Dating Rumors – Are They ‘Just Friends’?
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The Truth Behind Emily Ratajkowski Dating Rumors – Are They ‘Just Friends’?
The Truth Behind Emily Ratajkowski Dating Rumors – Are They ‘Just Friends’?
For months, the Hollywood rumor mill has been churning, linking “Elvis” star Austin Butler to model and author Emily Ratajkowski. However, the 34-year-old actor has finally broken his silence, clarifying the exact nature of their relationship in a candid interview.
In a move that seeks to put an end to months of swirling speculation, Austin Butler confirmed that he is not dating Ratajkowski, whom some fans affectionately call ‘the Ratatá’. According to Butler, the pair are merely “Just Friends!”.
The Official Denial: Interview with Vanity Fair
The definitive clarification came in an interview with Vanity Fair, which was published on November 18. When asked directly about the status of their romance, Butler offered a simple, unambiguous explanation.
“The true answer is that I have many friends, we are friends, we had dinner together and we are friends,” Butler told the publication, confirming the relationship was purely platonic.
This public declaration aims to silence the persistent gossip that began earlier in the fall.
Where the Rumors Began: Dinner in New York City
The initial speculation that Butler and Ratajkowski were romantically involved started back in September, when the two were first seen having dinner together in New York.
The pair were specifically photographed at the upscale Waverly Inn, located in West Village. The images captured the actor and the model sharing a cabina (booth), enjoying some drinks, and engaging in conversation. Although the public sightings immediately fueled media reports that they were becoming a couple, Butler insists that the outing was nothing more than two friends sharing a meal.
The sighting in West Village was not the only time the duo was spotted together, further encouraging the dating rumors. They were also photographed together at an exclusive after-party held for the New York City premiere of Butler’s new movie, Caught Stealing. Seeing them spend time together at a major industry event, following the intimate dinner sighting, certainly led many observers to believe they were an item.
A Pattern of Speculation: The Zoë Kravitz Connection
The rumors surrounding Butler and Ratajkowski arrived amid other circulating gossip regarding the actor’s social life. The sources suggest that perhaps these public appearances, particularly around the release of Caught Stealing, might be intentional “publicity”.
Adding to the complexity of Butler’s public profile, he was previously seen engaging in similar social activities with his Caught Stealing co-star, Zoë Kravitz. Butler and Kravitz were photographed partying together at the Dragon bar in Paris. This outing took place in August, following the French capital’s premiere of their new film.
While Butler and Kravitz had been linked romantically in the past, the sources note that previous speculation was sometimes related to scenes within the movie itself. The context is further complicated by the fact that Zoë Kravitz is currently associated with Harry Styles.
Refusing to Live a “Limited Life”
Beyond just clarifying his relationship with Ratajkowski, Butler used the Vanity Fair interview to address his broader feelings about privacy and the relentless scrutiny that comes with fame. He specifically mentioned that his statements were related to his previous romantic relationships and partners.
Butler expressed a candid desire to avoid hiding himself, even if it meant more rumors would surface. He conveyed the personal conflict he faced regarding whether or not to allow public opinion to dictate his choices.
The actor strongly stated that he would not “stop living fully just to avoid rumors”. He admitted that because of past experiences with relationships, he initially wanted to hide.
Ultimately, Butler made a philosophical declaration about how he intends to navigate his life in the spotlight, saying: “Am I going to live a limited and small life because I am afraid of what others will say or think?”. This statement suggests that his decision to continue dining with friends, regardless of their fame level, is a conscious choice to live authentically, free from the constraints of public speculation.
Public Reaction: A Plea for More Romance?
The public response to Butler’s clarification has been varied. One immediate reaction from a reader named Ines, posted the same day the original article was published (November 19, 2025), indicated a level of disappointment regarding the denial.
Ines commented that Butler and Zoë Kravitz “quedaban re bien” (looked really good together) and felt that it was a shame. Furthermore, Ines criticized Butler for feeling compelled to clarify the situation, suggesting that dating Ratajkowski would not have been shameful, stating: “Que feo que aclare ni que fuera una verguenza salir con emily lol” (How ugly that he clarifies, as if it were a shame to go out with Emily lol).
Despite the public wishing for a new celebrity pairing, the definitive statement remains: Austin Butler and Emily Ratajkowski are just friends.
