From red carpets to sporting events and fashion shows: The most iconic celebrity hard launches ever

There have been some iconic love matches in Hollywood over the years, and between some of the most famous people in the world.

While a lot of celebrity couples try and maintain their privacy in the early stages of their relationships, there comes a time when they have to make their big, and often public, debut – be it at an awards show, sporting event or premiere.

READ MORE: When Ron Howard met his future wife, there was 'never anybody else'

Let's take a look back some of the most memorable 'hard launches' ever – from the likes of Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and Cindy Crawford and Richard Gere.

Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston

This one might have you feeling a little nostalgic!

Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston started dating in 1998, but it wasn't until a year later one of the world's most-talked about former couples made their red carpet debut.

The pair stepped out together hand-in-hand at the Emmys in Los Angeles in 1999, just before they got engaged and later married.

While their love story wasn't meant to be, this moment of time lives in our minds rent-free forever.

Dua Lipa and Callum Turner

This smitten – but private – couple hard-launched their love at Glastonbury in 2024, with the singer sharing a photo of them at the festival on Instagram afterwards.

Months later, in May 2025, came another milestone: their red carpet debut at one of the biggest fashion events of the year, the Met Gala.

READ MORE: Co-stars spotted kissing at Wimbledon after months of dating rumours

Lipa, who has just performed in Australia as part of her world tour, sparked engagement rumours in December last year after being spotted with a stunning diamond ring. She posted snaps at the time, showing it off.

But she confirmed her engagement to the Harry Potter star just weeks ago during a chat with Vogue.

Cindy Crawford and Richard Gere

This is one of the most memorable red carpet launches of all time. Even now, more than three decades later, we're still talking about it!

Supermodel Cindy Crawford absolutely stole the show as she attended the 1991 Academy Awards with then-partner and leading Hollywood star, Richard Gere, marking their first major red carpet together.

Crawford, who was 17 years his junior, stunned in a Versace dress with the appearance making international headlines at the time.

The pair met in the late '80s at a barbecue, but it was reportedly the first time they had stepped out as a couple.

It was months before the pair tied the knot and eloped to Las Vegas in December that year, but their union wasn't to last.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

The Invictus Games of 2017 marked a huge milestone for British royal Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle.

For months, beginning in 2016, rumours of a romance between the prince and the Suits star had been swirling, but they refused to acknowledge the budding romance. That is, until September 2017.

READ MORE: Supermodel Paulina Porizkova announces her engagement

The pair made their first official public appearance together in Toronto, at the opening ceremony of the sporting event Harry co-founded.

Gracie Abrams and Paul Mescal

We love a bit of music – and love!

After a year of dating with no public acknowledgement of the relationship, singer Gracie Abrams and Gladiator star Paul Mescal finally went Instagram-official after partying up a storm at the iconic Glastonbury music festival.

"Hard launch, I'm obsessed," one fan wrote underneath a selfie of the pair together on the ground that Abrams posted to her millions of followers.

Another musician also hard-launched their romance with snaps from Glastonbury this year.

View gallery

All the celebrity highlights at Glastonbury 2025

One Direction star Louis Tomlinson finally confirmed his romance with Made In Chelsea alum Zara McDermott as they went Instagram official.

The pair, who have been rumoured to have been dating for months, all but confirmed their romance.

It was a huge move for the musician, who has limited posts on his Instagram feed.

Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet

Just a week ago, Jenner made headlines for only just starting to follow the Hollywood star, 29, on Instagram, despite having dated for two years.

But it makes sense for the private pair, as they only made their red carpet debut a few months ago at the 70th David di Donatello ceremony in Rome where the actor was honoured.

The pair have been pictured together on multiple occasions, enjoying downtime together at events including tennis matches, sport games, and even sitting inside together at the Oscars and 2025 BAFTA Awards.

However, they insisted on walking the red carpet at those events separately, leaving fans impatiently waiting for a red carpet debut.

Two years ago, in September 2023, the pair went public with their budding romance at a Beyoncé concert in Los Angeles, being spotted looking loved-up in the crowd.

However, they had been linked together and rumoured to have been dating since April of the same year.

Suki Waterhouse and Robert Pattinson

In December 2022, in Egypt, elusive and notoriously private couple Suki Waterhouse and Twilight star Robert Pattinson made their big red carpet debut.

The pair looked nothing but smitten as they attended the Dior Fall 2023 Menswear Show.

They have since started a family together.

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