Chelsea Handler and Ralph Fiennes sparked romance rumors after being spotted leaving the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party together on March 2, 2025, at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, located in Beverly Hills, California. The two walked arm-in-arm, sharing laughs, which left many wondering if this was the start of something more than friendship.
Handler, 50, looked stunning as she showcased her metallic, pale champagne-colored dress by KHOON HOOI matched with gold Manolo Blahnik BB heels. Fiennes, 62, who was nominated for Best Lead Actor for his role in "Conclave," sported a classy black wide lapel tuxedo and white-edged bow tie from the London brand Taillour.
Despite the buzz surrounding his nomination, which ended with Fiennes losing out to Adrien Brody, the evening didn't seem to dampen his spirits. The two made quite a pair, their chemistry apparent as they left the glamorous soirée together.
This cozy exit follows their playful performance at the 2025 Critics Choice Awards, where Handler hosted and shared the stage with Fiennes. They humorously reenacted Nicole Kidman’s infamous milk scene from the erotic thriller "Babygirl." Handler, embracing the playful spirit of the moment, remarked, "Babygirl was one of my favorite movies this year because I love everything Nicole Kidman does. And it even inspired me to hire a new, sexy intern! Oh, this must be from him!" as she began to drink milk.
During the skit, Fiennes, embodying the role of Kidman's character’s intern, egged on Handler with the playful phrases, "Good girl. Good girl. Good girl. Keep going, don’t stop! Go on! Go on!" This moment sent fans buzzing with excitement, showcasing their playful rapport.
Handler's dating history adds another layer to these swirling rumors. She previously dated comedian Jo Koy for about a year before their split in July 2022, stating she learned valuable lessons about public relationships from the experience. On her podcast, Handler mentioned, "It’s more out of respect for their privacy. I don’t want him to have to be exposed to my world." This perspective hints at how she might manage her current romantic interests.
Handler has hinted at dating someone new but kept his identity under wraps, sharing she met him "a long time ago" and they didn’t become lovers until recently. According to her, he’s someone who understands her chaotic lifestyle: “He’s hot, he’s awesome and so caring,” she gushed.
On the other hand, Ralph Fiennes has historically kept his romantic life private, having divorced "E.R." actress Alex Kingston back in 1997 after four years of marriage. He was rumored to be dating filmmaker Svetlana Zill last October, but there’s been little confirmation since then.
The aftermath of the 2025 Oscars not only spotlighted Handler and Fiennes but also showcased other major events from the evening. The night was headlined by notable wins, including Adrien Brody taking home the Best Actor award for his role in "The Brutalist," and Demi Moore losing the Best Actress award to rising star Mikey Madison for her role as part of the independent film "Anora." This led to stirrings of surprise across the audience as Moore was deemed the front-runner leading up to the awards. The film "Anora" became the talk of the evening, sweeping five Oscars, including Best Picture, awarded to director Sean Baker.
Zoe Saldana also made headlines as she claimed the Best Supporting Actress award for "Emilia Perez," marking her as the first Oscar winner of Dominican descent. Her victory, coupled with the unexpected upset of Moore, added to the captivating storyline of the night.
Handler and Fiennes left the Vanity Fair post-party shrouded in curiosity, leaving fans eager to learn more about their relationship status and potential future rendezvous. How will these sparks develop? Only time will tell, but the chemistry between these two stars has certainly caught the audience's eye, making it one of Hollywood’s more intriguing stories to follow.