Louis Partridge explained his desire to keep his relationship with girlfriend Olivia Rodrigo as “private” as possible.
The Enola Holmes actor, 22, opened up to Esquire in an interview published on Thursday, September 18, about the juxtaposition of making public appearances with Rodrigo while, at the same time, choosing not to speak much about their relationship. Over the summer, Partridge was spotted attending Rodrigo’s headlining set at the Glastonbury Festival and then joined her in the Royal Box at Wimbledon.
“I did see a lot of photos from [Wimbledon], it felt quite public,” he admitted. “Olivia and I choose, or have been choosing, to not be so public. Obviously, it has been quite a big summer for her with Glastonbury, but there’s a sanctity to being private.”
Partridge seemingly felt less conflicted about attending Glastonbury since it was “a really special moment” in his girlfriend’s career. (The actor initially congratulated Rodrigo on her Glastonbury set via Instagram in June, when he wrote that his girlfriend “worked her ass off for [the festival] and couldn’t be more deserving of all her success.”)
“She worked so incredibly hard for it. And it all came together,” he added in his latest interview. “It was pretty damn special to be there and see her get her flowers, as it were.”
The Paddington 2 star also addressed whether it was ever helpful to be dating a celebrity like Rodrigo, 22, who can relate to scrutiny from both fans and the media.
“I think so, yeah, to not blow it out of proportion or not have to explain it or have someone understand it,” he answered. “I just have no doubt that we’re both in a relationship for the right reason, for example. I’m sure that’s something you have to think about when you reach a certain level of success. It’s nice to know that we can go to things together, and it’s not the maddest thing in the world that you’re sitting opposite who knows what. You’ve got a friend in those times.”
The couple largely tried to stay out of the public eye in their first few months of dating, though Partridge was photographed attending Rodrigo’s Jingle Ball concert and Saturday Night Live appearance in New York City in October 2023.
Amid speculation that Rodrigo wrote her song “So American” about him, Partridge was reluctant to confirm or deny the rumor in October 2024.
“Not my song, not my place. So, I wouldn’t know,” he told Elle at the time.
Rodrigo and Partridge finally made their red carpet debut as a couple at the Venice International Film Festival in August 2024 to promote his Apple TV+ series Disclaimer, and have since attended the 2025 Grammys together in February.
Partridge has exhibited a good sense of humor about dating one of the world’s biggest pop stars throughout their two-year relationship. Earlier this month, he was asked by Variety how he felt about being seen as “Mr. Olivia Rodrigo” by some.
“I can handle that,” he replied. “[That’s what I’ve been for] a while now. I’m very happy, and I think she is too, so all is good in our world.”
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