Sean Penn, 65, was seen with girlfriend Valeria Nicov, 30, in Santa Monica as their relationship continues to grow. Get the latest details, including his recent Golden Globes headlines and past marriages.
Sean Penn’s romance with Valeria Nicov is still going strong, and their latest public outing is adding fresh fuel to the ongoing buzz around the couple. The Oscar-winning actor, 65, was recently spotted spending time with his girlfriend, Nicov, 30, in Santa Monica, California, where the two appeared relaxed, close, and comfortable together.
Photos circulating online from Wednesday, January 14 show the pair holding hands as they walked through the coastal city. Both were dressed in polished, understated looks that fit the casual-but-upscale vibe Santa Monica is known for. Penn wore a dark blazer layered over a crisp white shirt with dark pants, keeping things classic and clean. Nicov went with an all-black outfit that balanced style and simplicity, pairing casual pants with a black turtleneck and a peacoat.
The sighting is the latest sign that the couple’s relationship has remained steady since they were first linked months ago. While Penn has been one of Hollywood’s most recognizable names for decades, his romance with Nicov has introduced a new chapter in his personal life—one that continues to draw attention due to their notable age difference and Penn’s high-profile past relationships.
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A Relationship First Linked in 2024
Penn and Nicov were initially connected in September 2024 after they were seen shopping together. At the time, the appearance sparked curiosity, but the pair kept things relatively low-key. Since then, they’ve been spotted together multiple times, with the latest Santa Monica walk suggesting their bond is only growing stronger.
In an industry where celebrity couples often appear and disappear in a matter of weeks, Penn and Nicov’s consistent sightings over several months have stood out. They haven’t made a big show of the relationship on social media, and they haven’t given joint interviews about it either. Instead, their connection has played out quietly in public moments—like casual shopping trips and hand-in-hand strolls—rather than splashy red carpet debuts.
That approach seems intentional. Penn has long been known for his private nature, even while living a very public life. Nicov, who has kept a far lower profile than Penn, also appears to prefer staying out of the spotlight. Together, they’ve managed to attract interest without oversharing, which is increasingly rare in today’s celebrity culture.
Coming Off a Golden Globes Moment
The Santa Monica outing came only days after Penn made headlines for a very different reason—his appearance at the Golden Globe Awards on Sunday, January 11. Penn was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for his role in One Battle After Another, a performance that has kept him firmly in the awards conversation.
During the event, Penn was seated between two major Hollywood names: his costar Leonardo DiCaprio and actress Kate Hudson. The seating arrangement alone was enough to catch the attention of entertainment fans, but it wasn’t the only thing people were talking about.
Penn reportedly drew extra attention for breaking venue rules by smoking inside the Beverly Hilton, which is known as a smoke-free facility. According to entertainment reporting, he allegedly smoked indoors three separate times during the night. While Penn has never been the type to blend into the background at a major event, the moment reminded many viewers that he still carries the same unpredictable edge that has followed him throughout his career.
Notably, Nicov did not attend the Golden Globes with him. That decision didn’t appear to signal any trouble, though. Some celebrity couples choose to keep awards events separate—especially early in a relationship or when one partner prefers to avoid cameras and press. If anything, their hand-in-hand Santa Monica appearance suggests everything is stable between them.
Cannes Film Festival Appearance Added to the Buzz
Although Nicov skipped the Golden Globes, the couple has been seen together at major events before. They were previously spotted together at the 78th Cannes Film Festival in May, a setting that naturally attracts global media attention.
Cannes is often where celebrity relationships get “soft launched” in public, whether intentionally or not. Being seen there tends to elevate a couple’s visibility overnight, and Penn and Nicov were no exception. Their Cannes appearance gave fans and entertainment watchers another reason to believe the relationship was serious, not just a brief Hollywood fling.
Sean Penn’s High-Profile Relationship History
Penn’s love life has been widely documented over the years, and his relationship history is part of why his current romance is being closely watched. Before dating Nicov, Penn was married three times, each relationship unfolding under intense public attention.
His first marriage was to pop icon Madonna from 1985 to 1989. The pairing was one of the most talked-about celebrity relationships of the 1980s, blending Hollywood star power with music superstardom. Penn later married actress Robin Wright in 1996, and the two were together until 2010. Their relationship was considered one of Hollywood’s more enduring partnerships during that era, and they share children together.
Most recently, Penn married actress Leila George in 2020. The marriage, however, ended relatively quickly, with the couple splitting in 2022. Since then, Penn has largely kept his personal life quieter—making his relationship with Nicov a fresh topic of public curiosity.
Why Penn and Nicov Keep Getting Attention
There’s no denying that the age gap between Penn and Nicov is a major part of the conversation. Hollywood has a long history of relationships between older male stars and younger women, and the topic often sparks debate online. Some people view these relationships as common in celebrity culture, while others question the power dynamics and public perception that come with them.
Still, the recent photos suggest Penn and Nicov are unbothered by the chatter. They appeared calm, confident, and connected—walking hand-in-hand without looking like they were trying to hide.
At this stage, the relationship seems to be moving forward at its own pace, without the need for dramatic announcements or constant public appearances. Whether they eventually step onto a red carpet together again or continue keeping things mostly private, their latest Santa Monica outing confirms one thing: Sean Penn and Valeria Nicov are still very much together, and they’re not shying away from being seen.
Final Thoughts
Sean Penn remains one of the most fascinating figures in Hollywood—an actor known for intense performances, a career filled with awards recognition, and a personal life that often sparks headlines. With Valeria Nicov, he appears to be in a relationship that’s steady, low-key, and growing stronger with time.
And if their recent Santa Monica walk is any indication, the couple is continuing to move forward—hand in hand—while the world watches from a distance.
