Back in the Noughties, nothing gave us more pure, unadulterated escapism than The OC. Its sun-soaked depiction of a wealthy California community made us forget that we were shivering in our George at Asda pyjamas as we sat on our sofa, catching up with the T4 broadcast of Marissa, Seth, Ryan and Summer's latest exploits. Making it all the more intense, though, was the real-life story behind the show, as Adam Brody - who played Seth - and Rachel Bilson - who played Summer, found love off camera. But, like The OC itself, it was not to be, and they broke up in 2006. Our teenage hearts were heartbroken. But we feel a little bit better now, thanks to an apology from Rachel herself.
Last week, InStyle posted a throwback photo of Rachel and Adam together, with the caption 'Rachel Bilson and Adam Brody's breakup basically ruined high school for us.' Rachel responded: 'I'M SORRY!!!! He fared really well.' For the record, we know she doesn't owe anyone an apology for being in a relationship that simply ran its course. But at times like these, a nostalgia trip is valuable!
Adam has indeed fared well, through embarking on a relationship that fused The OC with its spiritual successor, Gossip Girl. In 2014, he married Leighton Meester, best known for playing Blair in the hit show set amidst the murky world of a Manhattan private school. The pair, who met on the set of 2013 film The Oranges, had a daughter named Arlo in 2015.
Rachel, meanwhile, had a seven-year relationship with Star Wars actor Hayden Christensen, and a daughter named Briar. That relationship, however, ended in 2017. Most recently, she has been dating Bill Hader, actor and Saturday Night Live alumnus.
Are we happy that they are happy? Sure. But in troubled times, forgive us a daydream or too, of the days when Summer and Seth's love spread beyond the set. Sing it with us: 'California, California, Here we coooooooome.'
2020 Celebrity Couples
1 of 16Rachel Bilson and Bill Hader
The actors, who starred in 2013 rom-com The To Do List, are an unusual pairing to most - but both have recently divorced from their long-term partners. Bill was married to Maggie Carey, who directed The To Do List, and they share three kids together. Rachel - who has a 5-year-old girl - also recently separated from husband Hayden Christensen in 2017 after 10 years together. It was reported by TMZ that the new couple were spending the holidays together - after they were spotted holding hands in Bill's hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma. To end all the speculation though, they confirmed the romance at the Golden Globes. Sadly, they then split during the summer.
2 of 16Lily Collins and Charlie McDowell
Around this time last year, Charlie McDowell was dating Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke - but that relationship fizzled. The director, who has dated Hilary Duff and Rooney Mara, is now with Lily Collins. When they're not posting cute Instagram photos together, they're looking after their pug cross-breed Redford. In September, the couple announced their engagement. Congratulations!
3 of 16Zach Braff and Florence Pugh
The Little Women star recently defended the 21-year-old age gap between the pair - in true millennial style commenting 'yeah he got it' on Instagram - but we are yet to get a red carpet debut from the pair. The stars were first spotted together in April 2019, after the couple worked together on the short film, In the Time It Takes To Get There, which was developed by Zach, and starred Florence and Alicia Silverstone.
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4 of 16Lily Allen and David Harbour
At the start of 2018, Lily separated from her boyfriend Meredith Dan - but she was soon to find love with the Stranger Things actor. In October, they made their relationship Instagram official, with a cute snap of them in Disneyland. They've also made the classic Hollywood couple move of kissing at a basketball game, so they are totally legit guys. So legit, in fact, that in September they got married at a surprise ceremony in Las Vegas.
5 of 16Nicole Scherzinger and Thom Evans
OK, so maybe X Factor Celebrity wasn't the ratings winner everyone was hoping for in October. But, if anyone has won from it, then it's Nicole Scherzinger who found love with the rugby star who took part in the series. They've since been spotted countless times by the paparazzi, with the pair even attending a Golden Globes afterparty together.
6 of 16Michelle Williams and Thomas Kail
Michelle wowed us all with her impassioned speech on abortion rights at the Golden Globes - and now married to Hamilton director Thomas Kail, and the pair have since had their first child together.
7 of 16Ben Affleck and Ana De Armas
Ben and Ana met on the set of their forthcoming film Deep Water, and were spotted looking friendly at restaurants and on beaches. But they became really serious in the spring, when they locked down together in LA. She's even met his children and ex-wife, Jennifer Garner. Good luck to them.
8 of 16Machine Gun Kelly and Megan Fox
Megan Fox announced her split from husband Brian Austin Green in May. She was soon linked with rapper Machine Gun Kelly after appearing in one of his music videos. But they appeared to confirm rumours by holding hands in public in June.
9 of 16Jodie Comer and James Burke
OK, so this one caused a bit of controversy. The Killing Eve actress was linked to 26-year-old American lacrosse player James Burke, who is a Republican, which fans were less than happy about. He has apparently been staying at Jodie's house in Liverpool.
10 of 16Lily James and Chris Evans
Seriously hot new couple alert. Lily James and Chris Evans have been spotted together in London on a park date, just days after reports they were seen leaving a private member's club together in early July. It follows reports that Lily had rekindled her romance with Matt Smith during lockdown - but it looks like she might have moved on.
11 of 16Emilia Clarke and Tom Turner
The Game Of Thrones actress has been spotted out and about with Tom, an assistant director who has worked on Charlie's Angels and Rogue One and previously dated Rebecca Ferguson. Reports state that he is 'smitten' with the star, and that they bonded over a mutual love of dogs.
12 of 16Lady Gaga and Michael Polanksy
After months of speculation, Lady Gaga and her tech-CEO boyfriend Michael Polansky made things Instagram official.
13 of 16Kristen Stewart and Dylan Meyer
Kristen Stewart and screenwriter Dylan Meyer finally made things official earlier this year when Meyer posted a birthday tribute to Stewart on Instagram, saying, 'It's my absolute favorite persons birthday and I'm wishing everyone the volume of beautiful feeling I feel toward her. It's a short ride on this earth, spend your time with someone that inspires you to be the best version of yourself and lights your shit on fire.'
14 of 16Rebel Wilson and Jacob Busch
Rebel Wilson and Jacob Busch made their relationship public in September when they attended the Planetary Health Gala in Monaco together. Since then, the pair have shared adorable selfie after selfie on social media.
15 of 16Rihanna and ASAP Rocky
After months and months of speculation, a source told People that Rihanna and A$AP Rocky are officially dating. Rejoice!
16 of 16Katie Holmes and Emilio Vitolo Jr
Katie Holmes and Katie Holmes and Emilio Vitolo Jr were first spotted together earlier this summer in New York City and have since taken the city by storm, regularly out-and-about together almost always holding hands or kissing.
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