Sean Penn's Bummer Red Carpet Moment: Is Romance Ruining His Night?
SEAN PENN'S RED CARPET BLUES: HOLLYWOOD STAR LOOKS LIKE HE'D RATHER BE ANYWHERE ELSE WITH NEW YOUNG GIRLFRIEND
The 17th Film Festival Lumiere opening ceremony in Lyon, France, was supposed to be a night of glamour and celebration for Hollywood A-lister Sean Penn, but the actor's body language screamed otherwise. Joining him on the red carpet was his new girlfriend, Valeria Nicov, who looked stunning in a midnight blue gown with a plunging neckline. But despite her efforts to perk up the proceedings, Penn seemed utterly disinterested.
The couple, who are three years apart in age, made their way through the crowds of adoring fans and paparazzi, but Penn's expression remained firmly fixed on "I'd rather be anywhere else." Even his usually reliable charm seemed to have deserted him. Was it nerves? Boredom? Or something more?
Nicov, a Moldovan actress who has previously starred in the hit Netflix show Emily In Paris alongside Lily Collins, tried her best to inject some excitement into the proceedings. But even she couldn't bring Penn out of his shell. The two took their seats at the annual event, but it was clear that neither of them was particularly enthusiastic about being there.
So what's behind Penn's apparent reluctance to be seen in public with his new girlfriend? Sources close to the actor suggest that he's still getting over his recent divorce from Leila George, a marriage that lasted just 15 months. It seems that Penn is taking some time to get back into the dating scene, and it's clear that he's not quite ready for prime-time romance yet.
In fact, just last year, Penn told The New York Times that he was "thrilled every day" to be single. He even went so far as to say that if he were in a relationship, he'd want to be "free" within it – whatever that means. It seems that he's still working out the kinks of modern dating.
Penn's history with women is well-documented. His first marriage to pop legend Madonna was a tempestuous one, but the two have long since put their differences behind them and are even friends these days. He later married Robin Wright, with whom he shares two children, Dylan and Hopper. But that marriage ended in 2010 after multiple splits and reconciliations.
Just before his divorce from Leila George was finalized, Penn confessed to being still "so in love" with her – a sentiment that seems at odds with his current behavior. He even acknowledged having "f*ed up the marriage," saying that he'd been neglectful and distant during their time together.
So what's next for Sean Penn? Will he be able to shake off this red carpet funk, or will his romance with Valeria Nicov be doomed from the start? Only time will tell. But one thing's for sure: we'll be watching – and waiting – with bated breath.
A LOOK BACK AT SEAN PENN'S HIGH-PROFILE ROMANCES
- Madonna: Penn's first marriage was to pop legend Madonna, a union that lasted just three years.
- Robin Wright: The actor later married actress Robin Wright, with whom he shares two children. That marriage ended in 2010 after multiple splits and reconciliations.
- Leila George: Just last year, Penn finalized his divorce from Leila George, a marriage that lasted just 15 months.
VALERIA NICOV: THE NEW GIRL IN TOWN
Nicov, a Moldovan actress, has previously starred in the hit Netflix show Emily In Paris alongside Lily Collins. She's based in France and grew up in the Moldovan capital of Chișinău before making the move to Europe.
Sources close to the actor suggest that Penn is taking things slowly with Nicov, but it's clear that she's won him over – at least for now. Will this romance be the one to bring a smile back to Penn's face? Only time will tell.