Cloudabouts
Numerous celebrity romances blossom in the public eye, but what about those instances where the attraction is one-sided, at least initially? It’s fascinating when a celebrity openly expresses their interest in another famous person, sometimes leading to a real relationship, and other times resulting in a very public and perhaps awkward moment. What happens when fame meets… more fame? It’s a whole different ballgame, right? Here’s a look at 15 celebrities who weren’t shy about pursuing their famous crushes.
The Pursuits (and Their Outcomes)
1. Justin Bieber & Selena Gomez (Early Days)
Before their rollercoaster of a relationship, Justin Bieber made no secret of his Selena Gomez adoration. Remember those early interviews? He was practically hinting at wanting to date her before they were officially ” Jelena.” Ah, young love!
2. Drake & Rihanna
Drake’s long-standing admiration for Rihanna was, let’s be honest, pretty epic. He often name-dropped her in his music and interviews, and who could forget that iconic declaration of love while presenting her with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the 2016 VMAs? Talk about a grand gesture! While their relationship was… complicated… his pursuit was undeniably public. Did they ever really find their footing? I’m still not sure!
3. Pete Davidson & Ariana Grande
Okay, this one was FAST. But before it was a whirlwind romance and engagement, Pete Davidson had been publicly crushing on Ariana Grande for years. Seriously! He even tweeted about wanting to marry her before they’d even properly met. Manifestation at its finest, or just plain bold? You decide.
4. Nick Cannon & Mariah Carey
Nick Cannon was practically singing Mariah Carey’s praises long before they tied the knot. He was always talking about her beauty and talent in interviews. It clearly worked, because he eventually won her over and embarked on a marriage that lasted longer than many Hollywood unions. Impressive!
5. Joshua Bassett & Olivia Rodrigo
The rumored relationship between Joshua Bassett and Olivia Rodrigo, and the subsequent drama surrounding “drivers license,” involved Bassett publicly praising Rodrigo’s talent and beauty. Before, during, and after… the alleged romance. Talk about fuel for the songwriting fire!
6. Miley Cyrus & Liam Hemsworth
Miley Cyrus has been super open about her instant attraction to Liam Hemsworth when they met on the set of “The Last Song.” Her persistence and clear interest ultimately led to a long-term relationship and marriage, even if it didn’t last forever. Still, gotta give her props for knowing what she wanted!
7. Kanye West & Kim Kardashian
Kanye West’s pursuit of Kim Kardashian was a slow burn, but persistent as anything. He famously styled her, collaborated with her on fashion projects, and basically elevated her profile every chance he got. It was his way of making his admiration crystal clear before they officially became a power couple. Say what you want about them, but they were a force.
8. Machine Gun Kelly & Megan Fox
Machine Gun Kelly is convinced he manifested his relationship with Megan Fox through his music and just straight-up believing they were destined to be together. That’s some serious dedication! This intense, public display of interest ultimately led to their very high-profile romance and engagement. Talk about going all in!
9. Harry Styles & Jennifer Aniston
During various interviews, Harry Styles has confessed his childhood crush on Jennifer Aniston, even admitting that she was his first celebrity crush. I mean, who hasn’t had a crush on Jennifer Aniston? He’s just brave enough to admit it on the record.
10. Selena Gomez & Chris Evans
Okay, this one’s more rumor than confirmed fact, but Selena Gomez hinted at a crush on Chris Evans during interviews. Fans noticed her following him on social media, and the internet went wild with speculation. Did anything actually happen? We may never know, but it was fun to watch the speculation unfold!
11. Cardi B & Penn Badgley
This was less of a one-sided pursuit and more of a mutual admiration society. Cardi B and Penn Badgley publicly praised each other’s social media presence, and it led to a delightful and unexpected interaction. While no romance blossomed, the mutual fan-girling was incredibly entertaining. Can we get a reality show with these two?
12. Katy Perry & Orlando Bloom
While both were already mega-stars, Katy Perry made some subtle advances towards Orlando Bloom before they actually connected. Their eventual relationship and family kind of cemented the success of her initial interest. Subtle moves, major payoff!
13. Zac Efron & Vanessa Hudgens
The story goes that Zac Efron pursued Vanessa Hudgens relentlessly when they first met during the High School Musical auditions. His persistence and charm led to a highly publicized and beloved relationship. “We’re all in this together,” indeed!
14. Leonardo DiCaprio & Blake Lively
This one was short and sweet (or, you know, just short). Leonardo DiCaprio’s interest in Blake Lively was pretty apparent as they were photographed together everywhere during the summer of 2011. While the relationship didn’t last, his pursuit was definitely documented for posterity… aka, the tabloids.
15. John Mayer & Jessica Simpson
Okay, this one’s a bit controversial. John Mayer’s public interest in Jessica Simpson and their subsequent relationship was widely reported and discussed. His initial pursuit was definitely visible, though maybe not in the best light. Sigh… some things are better left unsaid, right?
These celebrity pursuits just go to show, even famous people aren’t immune to having crushes. Sometimes, these public declarations of interest lead to successful relationships, and sometimes they just remain a fleeting moment of admiration in the spotlight. It really does offer a fascinating glimpse into the human side of fame, doesn’t it? It’s kind of comforting to know they’re just like us… except, you know, with millions of followers watching their every move. What do you think? Any of these pairings surprise you?
