Some A-list couples just fit together. They get cute couple names like Brangelina or Kimye (RIP to both of those relationships now, though), and they just seem to have been destined to come together. Other celebrity pairings, though? Not so much.
It's not that these couples shouldn't be together, it's just that we totally didn't expect these unlikely duos to start dating. Whether they come from totally different backgrounds or there's just a giant age gap between them, we did a double take when the news about these romances first came out.
Predictably, not all of the 20 unlikely couples on this list managed to stick it out long-term — yeah, we saw that coming. But still, many did, and some are even married and having kids. Hollywood's a funny place, y'all. We're just along for the ride.
Gwen Stefani & Blake Shelton
Sure, Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton may have appeared together on the Voice, but we just didn't expect them to a.) start dating and b.) last this long. It's been six years now, and they're engaged and everything! It's funny because Blake is all country and Gwen is so rock and roll, but we guess opposites attract, huh?
Sarah Jessica Parker & Robert Downey Jr.
Back in the '80s, Iron Man and Carrie Bradshaw were a thing. But this romance didn't work out because the two were at completely different points in their lives. At the time, Robert Downey Jr. was struggling with substance abuse, and that just wasn't Sarah Jessica Parker's scene.
"I was so selfish," Robert said years later. "I liked to drink, and I had a drug problem, and that didn't jibe with Sarah Jessica, because it is the furthest thing from what she is. She provided me a home and understanding. She tried to help me. She was so miffed when I didn't get my act together."
Taylor Swift & Tom Hiddleston
After meeting at the 2016 Met Gala and dancing the night away, Taylor Swift and Tom Hiddleston started a whirlwind romance that caught everyone's attention. He was a hot British actor in line for the Bond franchise, and she was one of America's most popular singers. Their romance was flashy and in everyone's faces, and it was a lot. They may have broken up shortly after, but we'll remember him wearing an "I Heart T.S." shirt forever.
Mary-Kate Olsen & Olivier Sarkozy
This is an unlikely couple that ended up not making it, because the duo finalized their divorce in early 2021. The couple seemed like a strange pairing from the beginning, not just because there was a 16-year age gap between them, but because they didn't seem to have a whole lot in common. Mary-Kate is a fashion maven and former actress, and Olivier is a banker. They just didn't seem to click.
Amy Poehler & John Stamos
Speaking of former Full House stars, did you know that Amy Poehler and John Stamos were briefly a thing? As she tells it, "I was at dinner with John Stamos, and I was like, 'Oh, maybe this is a date!' But I blew it. I remember thinking, 'Oh s—, if this is really a date, I think I was wearing a Leslie Knope shirt — I wasn't foxy.'"
We just can't imagine Leslie Knope and Uncle Jesse dating.
Salman Rushdie & Padma Lakshmi
Author Salman Rushdie and Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi divorced in 2007 after three years of marriage, which was seemingly for the best. Although they both had a love for writing in common, they were 23 years apart in age, and things didn't end up working out. Padma claimed that Salman once even allegedly called her "a bad investment." Yikes.
Ariana Grande & Pete Davidson
This relationship was a roller-coaster from start to finish. When Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson first stepped out together, people had so many questions about how their romance had even come to be. Then it seemed like days later they were getting matching tattoos and then getting engaged. Then it ended just as fast. But at least we got "Thank U, Next" out of it.
Shaquille O'Neal & Nicole Alexander
This image looks Photoshopped, but it's not. That's just former NBA star Shaquille O'Neal and his ex-fiancée Nicole Alexander. He's 7'1" and Nicole is 5'2". So they looked totally wacky when pictured together. Imagine being nearly 2 feet shorter than your partner. That would be so strange to get used to.
Jennifer Lawrence & Chris Martin
After Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin consciously uncoupled (as Gwyneth called it), the Coldplay frontman began dating movie star Jennifer Lawrence. The two kept their romance extremely private for the few months that it lasted. As for why it ended, a source claimed to E! News that Chris wasn't ready to commit to something more serious.
Chris Evans & Jenny Slate
Indie film darling Jenny Slate made a ton of women jealous when she landed blockbuster superhero movie star Chris Evans. This duo was fun, but a little unusual just because they do come from such different film worlds. They dated for a little less than a year before they split up, and although they tried reconciling later, it ultimately didn't work out. Supposedly, "conflicting schedules" were at fault for the relationship's demise.
Katharine McPhee & David Foster
Katharine McPhee's husband is 35 years older than her, so theirs is a relationship that took many by surprise. But she has no problem with their age gap.
"We all have the ability to label things and to look at something for the way that it looks or face value and make a judgment," she said. "So I totally get the judgment initially, but things are never as they appear, things are never exactly as they appear, and I'm in love with our love story and that's all that matters."
David Cross & Amber Tamblyn
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants actress Amber Tamblyn and her comedian husband David Cross met by chance on a flight years ago, got to talking, and the rest was history. But despite any judgments from people along the way (due to the 20-year age difference between them), they've been humming along happily since marrying in 2012.
Sophie Turner & Joe Jonas
We never had this celeb couple on our bingo cards. The Game of Thrones star and the boybander seemed to come from such different worlds, but they've not only managed to make a marriage last, they've welcomed their first child together, too. If it seems like they wouldn't have been in the same social circles long enough to meet, you might be right. They started dating only after talking on social media of all places.
Sarah Paulson & Holland Taylor
Sarah Paulson and her girlfriend, Holland Taylor, have a 32-year age gap between them, but that doesn't bother them one bit. As Sarah said, "If anyone wants to spend any time thinking I'm strange for loving the most spectacular person on the planet, then that's their problem. I'm doing just fine."
Benji Madden & Cameron Diaz
Benji Madden and Cameron Diaz seemed like they led extremely different lives, what with her being an A-list movie star and him being in the rock band Good Charlotte. But it looks like they found just enough in common to make a relationship work. And now they have a little one at home, too (daughter Raddix). That doesn't mean we'll ever get used to seeing them in public together.
Zach Braff & Florence Pugh
Florence Pugh may be 20 years younger than boyfriend Zach Braff, but she doesn't want to hear any negativity about it. "I have the right to hang out and be with and go out with anyone I want to," the actress told Elle UK. "I've always found this part of what people do really bizarre. I'm an actor because I like acting and I don't mind people watching my stuff, but people have no right to educate me on my private life."
Lady Gaga & Michael Polansky
Lady Gaga is such a colorful celebrity. She's always walking around in wild outfits and changing her hairstyle every two seconds. But her current boyfriend is so … normal. Michael Polansky is a tech investor, and he and Gaga have been dating for more than a year. His career means he probably has the funds to keep up with the singer, but does he have the funs? He seems way too tame for her, but to each their own.
Harry Styles & Olivia Wilde
We were already shocked when Olivia Wilde and Jason Sudeikis broke up, but it wasn't long after that photos surfaced of Olivia and Harry Styles hanging out. It was a lot for our brains to handle. She's also a decade older than him, so it has a very Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher vibe to it. But they seem happy, even if the internet was a little bewildered at first.
Macaulay Culkin & Brenda Song
There's only a seven-year age difference between Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin, which is one of the smaller ones on this list. But they still appear an odd couple just because Brenda seems like such a regular celeb — acting, posting on social media, etc. And Macaulay has always been really private. Plus, it's hard to picture Kevin from Home Alone growing up to have a child with London Tipton from the Suite Life of Zack and Cody.
Kourtney Kardashian & Travis Barker
Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker's relationship seemed to come out of nowhere. The duo were friends for years and then, bam! — the PDA was all over the place. On the current season of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Scott Disick is still trying to win Kourtney back, but IRL we know that it's a lost game for him. (At least as long as she's with Travis.)
