Joe Manganiello and Caitlin O'Connor's Relationship Thrives with Engagement on the Horizon
The relationship between Joe Manganiello and Caitlin O’Connor continues to thrive.
Their connection reportedly began in September 2023, when they encountered each other in a hot tub at an "informal" gathering following the premiere of the HBO series, Winning Time, as reported by People. O’Connor plays the role of Dyan Cannon in the series, which chronicles the 1980s Los Angeles Lakers' on and off-court lives.
This charming first meeting occurred almost two months after the star of True Blood and Sofía Vergara confirmed their split.
Manganiello initiated divorce proceedings against the former Modern Family actress on July 19, 2023, attributing the breakup to "irreconcilable differences," according to court records acquired by Us Weekly. In January 2024, Vergara subsequently informed the Spanish publication El País that their differing views on having more children were a factor, stating she "didn't wish to be an elderly mother." (The actress has a son, Manolo, born in 1991 with her ex-husband, Joe Gonzalez).
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“We have reached the painful decision to end our marriage,” the estranged pair shared in a combined statement on Instagram previously. “As two individuals who deeply cherish and value each other, we respectfully request privacy as we navigate this new chapter in our existence.”
Manganiello and Vergara's divorce was finalized in February – merely a month before an exclusive report to Us Weekly revealed that the Deal or No Deal Island presenter’s relationship with O’Connor is progressing rapidly.
“They are planning to get engaged in the near future and then begin trying for children,” the source divulged. “Wedlock is certainly on their horizon.”
Continue below to explore how Manganiello and O’Connor’s bond has strengthened since rumors of their romance first emerged.
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September 2023
Manganiello and O’Connor crossed paths at a gathering held after the premiere of her HBO series, Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty. Later that month, the duo was seen exiting Gold’s Gym in Venice, California, where they walked alongside each other before departing in the same Cadillac SUV.
December 2023
Manganiello and O’Connor appeared publicly as a couple for the first time on the red carpet at the Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) gala, hosted at New York’s Cipriani 25 Broadway restaurant, in December 2023.
Just a few days after their red carpet appearance, the actors were seen attending the New York Jets vs. Houston Texans game.
Also in December, several sources exclusively shared with Us Weekly the reasons behind the couple’s immediate connection.
“Joe and Caitlin share such relaxed personalities, which makes their dynamic exceptionally strong,” the initial source detailed, while a second insider mentioned that O’Connor is not someone who requires “a lot of fuss.” “She isn’t a heavy drinker or someone who enjoys constant partying.”
January 2024
The pair attended a romantic evening at The Art of Elysium’s 25th Anniversary HEAVEN Gala in Los Angeles during January.
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February 2024
Manganiello publicly confirmed his relationship with O’Connor on Instagram in February, mentioning in his post that they marked their inaugural Valentine’s Day by going to the Tool concert at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena.
March 2024
An exclusive source informed Us Weekly that the couple might be heading towards marriage in the near future.
“They intend to get engaged shortly and subsequently begin trying to conceive,” the insider disclosed. “Matrimony is certainly on their horizon.”
October 2025
The couple publicly shared their engagement on Instagram, featuring a picture of themselves with their chihuahua, Bubbles, and O’Connor’s engagement ring prominently visible.
“Engagement date: June 24th, 2025,” they wrote alongside the photograph.
