Originally published on E! Online
Alba Baptista must love dogs.
Or at least one dog that will win the heart of Chris Evanswho, above all else—including movie star, Captain America, and “Sexiest Man Alive”—is Dodger’s father.
“Look, not everyone likes dogs,” the actor told E! News in April 2023 while promoting his partnership with pet food brand Jinx. “That’s OK. But the fact that he’s not at all enamored with him, maybe that says something.”
Baptista was charmed: she casually posted a photo of Evans’ now very recognizable rescued boxer in an Instagram slideshow in May 2023 with the caption “Some winter Love stories.” The photo was, of course, liked by Dodger’s owner.
But otherwise, he and Baptista have kept things very low-key as a couple. It wasn’t until November 2022 that they were photographed holding hands, when news broke that they had been dating for over a year.
And on September 9, 2023, they exchanged vows in an intimate wedding ceremony with a fantastic cast of guests, including Robert Downey Jr. And Chris Hemsworth.
Chris Evans & Alba Baptista: Romance Review
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“I am married,” Chris told the audience weeks later at New York Comic Con. “It was really, really amazing.”
They had “beautiful and beautiful” ceremonies both on the East Coast for Boston-born Evans and in Baptista’s native Portugal, he said. And, he said, “It’s a lot, planning a wedding. It’s a lot. You guys who are married [know] it takes a lot out of you. But now that we’re through that, we’re just enjoying life, getting ready for fall, my favorite season. It’s the best time of the year right now. Now we’re just relaxing, enjoying life and reflecting.”
That’s not to say they won’t ever have a PDA tear or two. Evans, who triggered every tractor beam in the multiverse when he said in July 2022 that he was “laser-focused on finding a partner,” knows from experience that the more attention, the more fun when it comes to his personal life.
“Some things you just want for yourself,” he said People in November 2022 when he succeeded Marvel buddy Paul Rudd as the Sexiest Man Alive, “or just for my family and friends.”
Baptista, who starred in the Netflix series Warrior Nun for two seasons and appeared in the Oscar-nominated Mrs. Harris goes to Paris in 2022, has so far handled the extra attention that has come her way deftly. But she has had some practice on that front since she started acting in Portugal at 15.
“I try to stay true to myself,” she said GQ Portugal in 2020, noting that before she posted something online, she asked herself if she was really okay with the world seeing it. (On the approved list: Good luck on her 27th birthday on July 10.) “What’s the fine line between when exposure is over the top and when it’s not? So, that’s something I struggled with. I’ve suddenly gotten a lot more followers. But it’s a matter of finding the right balance, giving them something every once in a while that you think they’ll want.”
The star’s Instagram following has now grown to more than 830,000, but she can count Evans’ nearly 18 million followers as her honorary observers.
And although he has historically kept this part of his life hidden from curious minds, did started throwing some meat at them and made his relationship with Baptista official on Instagram on January 6, 2023, with a montage of them startling each other by randomly yelling “Babe!” when the other least expected it.
Judging by the diversity of opinions, they apparently enjoyed it very much.
He confirmed they were still going strong a month later with a Valentine’s Day tribute of photos and videos of a series of good times spent together. “I think declarations of love are great,” Evans said People. “I love love. I’m kind of a wimp.”
And ahead of their Oscars red carpet debut, Baptista appeared in New York in April 2023 for the premiere of Evans’ action-romcom Ghostedwhich quickly became the most-watched debut film on Apple TV+.
Interestingly, the idea of ignoring Evans sounds rather surreal, but Evans says he’s been through something much worse.
“I think I would rather be ignored because you can make up any story you want,” he said People“I’ve noticed that the number of text responses slowly decreases, and you just know the person is casually pushing you aside.”
Again, incomprehensible, but that was a while ago. “Satisfied” was how he described the state of his life in November 2022, just days before his relationship status went public.
“Very pleased,” he added. “I can’t think of another word.”
The Cutest Moments of Chris Evans and His Rescue Dog Dodger
He also didn’t go into specifics. But the proud New Englander has been quite candid about his desire to one day become a father, a role he’s been rehearsing for since adopting Dodger in 2015.
“I would love to have kids,” he told E!. “But having a dog is definitely a good litmus test for how you handle responsibility.”
Whether he’s deciding on his next role or booking a vacation, or even just going out late, “there’s planning involved,” Evans explained. “And pets aren’t cheap. So, they’re good training wheels for a kid — while I’m sure anyone with a kid would probably laugh at this, it’s probably not nearly as responsible. But I think it’s a good place to start.”
Incidentally, Baptista said in 2020 that she slowly began to believe that motherhood was her future, after years of thinking she didn’t want that for herself.
“It’s strange that as my career progresses I have less and less time for myself. I strive to reach a point where I can stop and have time for myself and my family.”
When asked if there was anything from the past she would do again, Baptista replied that she is not one to have regrets.
“Everything that went wrong in my personal and professional life,” she said Vogue Portugal in 2020, “happened in the most perfect way for me to be who I am and where I am.”
As they say, timing is everything.
And Evans considers himself a much better partner this to dawn.
“You spend a lot of time learning what was useful and what wasn’t,” he said People“We all have patterns, issues or baggage that repeat and echo, so I’ve really been able to identify where I need to improve and what works. I also really see the value and power behind saying ‘I’m sorry.’ If you can stay calm and listen in those vulnerable moments, I think that opens a door in a really healthy way.”
As for those two other little words that have a lot of value and power when said to the right person, Evans said exchanging vows was still “absolutely” something he wanted to do.
“When you read about most of the best artists,” he said, “they were most proud of the relationships, the families they created, the love they found, the love they shared. Those things are the most important. I love the idea of tradition and ceremony. I’ve had a lot of that in my life, so the idea of creating that, I can’t imagine anything better.”
And now that the couple is heading towards their first anniversary, they’ve already reached a few milestones. Keep reading to marvel at their romance:
September 2023: Just married!
The two married in an intimate ceremony in Massachusetts.
April 2023: Almost Red Carpet Official
Both actors attended the premiere of Chris’ new film Ghosted…
Separate arrivals
…but did not pose for photos together.
February 2023: Happy Valentine’s Day
In February 2023, the Avengers actor posted a series of photos and videos of himself and Alba in honor of Valentine’s Day. The two were seen walking, kissing, traveling, carving pumpkins, and playing with Dodger.
January 2023: Instagram Official
November 2022: The beginning of their love story
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The Marvel actor and the Warrior Nun star began dating in mid-2021, according to multiple reports. But rumors of their romance didn’t surface until November, when they were spotted together in New York City.
This story was originally published on Tuesday, June 12, 2023 at 6:00 a.m. PT.
