Zoë Kravitz and Channing Tatum have managed to keep their romance super low-key since being linked in 2021 – even amid their reported recent engagement – but they’ve shared small tidbits about it. Outside of rare outings and occasional social media interactions (remember when Tatum followed all those Kravitz fan accounts?), the couple have only publicly spoken about their relationship a handful of times. But those few occasions have always been full of sweet words about one another.
After months of remaining tight-lipped about their then-rumored relationship, Kravitz offered the first tiny acknowledgment of it in her March 2022 Elle cover story. When the outlet pointed out her wide smile in all the paparazzi pictures of her and Tatum, the “Batman” actor simply said, “I’m happy.” Speaking to The Wall Street Journal that August, Kravitz had a lot more to say, though she kept the focus on her directorial debut, a forthcoming thriller film titled “P*ssy Island.” In it, Tatum portrays tech mogul Slater King, who invites a cocktail waitress (played by Naomi Ackie) to his mysterious private island, where ill-fated debauchery ensues. The role is quite the switch-up for the “Magic Mike” star, and that’s precisely why Kravitz chose to cast him. “I wanted to find someone who hadn’t played a dark character before, because I think that’s exciting to watch someone who’s mostly played boy next door, good guy, love interest, all of that,” she said.
Plus, seeing as the movie centers on the treatment of women by men in lucrative industries, Kravitz knew he’d bring the perfect perspective to the mix. “I felt, even from afar, before I knew him, that he was a feminist and that he wasn’t afraid of exploring that darkness, because he knows he’s not that,” the director said. “That’s why I was drawn to him and wanted to meet with him. And I was right.”
When asked about her romantic connection with Tatum, though, Kravitz responded, “Do I want to go into that? I guess what I’ll say is when you make things with people it’s a very sacred space, and when you’re compatible with somebody creatively it often opens up other channels because you’re kind of sharing all of yourself.” She added, “I’m really grateful that this movie has brought him into my life that way.”
Related: The 4 Guys Who’ve Won Zoë Kravitz’s Heart Over the Years
Discussing her on-set style for “P*ssy Island” shoots in Mexico, Kravitz alluded to her deep feelings for Tatum, even dropping the L word. “I’m wearing a necklace that my mom gave me and an earring that Channing gave me. I have a T-shirt from my dad,” she said. “I’ve been wearing a lot of things that remind me of people who I love, because it’s comforting.”
In November 2022, Kravitz revealed to GQ that she received another gift from Tatum: a “mammoth emerald pinkie ring,” which she wore for the interview. She raved, “He’s just a wonderful human. He makes me laugh and we both really love art and talking about art and the exploration of why we do what we do. We love to watch a film and break it down and talk about it and challenge each other.”
Kravitz said Tatum was very supportive of her on the set of “P*ssy Island,” adding, “Whether it was making me tea or pouring me a drink or going to whip someone into shape or whatever – he really was my protector and it was really wonderful and sweet. I think if you can do something like that together, it’s a good test. And we came out even stronger.”
Tatum, meanwhile, has shared his own sweet thoughts about Kravitz. In a July 2022 interview with “Entertainment Tonight,” he openly praised her for the hard work she put into her directorial debut. He raved, “I’m in awe. She’s doing better than I did on our first movie with ‘Dog.’ I mean, jeez, we barely survived, and she’s just killing it.”
Tatum revealed some directing advice he gave Kravitz: don’t wear both her actor and director hats for the project. He then touched on his character Slater being “a completely categorically different thing” from his previous roles, adding that he was flattered to be viewed in a new light and that Kravitz really “saw me.”
“She’s got a weird gift for that,” Tatum added. “She sees right through a lot of people’s stuff and really, just who they are to her is really simple. She’s one of the more intentional people I’ve ever met in my life.”
Related: A Full Breakdown of Channing Tatum’s Dating History
