While some may still be reeling from the shock of Pattinson’s split from Kristen Stewart, the actor has since then quietly settled down with his longtime companion FKA, who he spent the last 18 months separated from. Now that the world knows what’s next for the former lovers, it’s time to ask: What’s the state of their relationship? Where did they go from here? And what is FKA, anyway?
Here’s what you need to know.
FKA Begins to Shine
When Rob and Kristen broke up last year, fans feared the worst for the actor. Not only was he one of the most famous and recognizable stars in the world, but he was also set to star in one of the most high-profile movies of the year: Baz Luhrmann’s adaptation of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. The film was due to be released in theaters on September 15, 2016, and was marketed as a “fall back” project for Pattinson, who had recently completed his role in the critically acclaimed movie Café Society and was looking to take a little break from the public eye.
With the movie’s premiere looming and the pressure to perform at its peak, it was clear that Rob would need to find some way to recharge. Fortunately, he had planned ahead and began dating FKA, the Russian model and actress Natalia Vardanoïa, whose birthday is on September 13. The two began seeing each other around the same time that Pattinson split from Stewart and before the start of the movie’s production, so Luhrmann and his team weren’t scrambling to find a replacement for him as there was already an engagement ring on the actress’ finger.
According to a report by Women’s Wear Daily, FKA spent about five months preparing for the role of Helena Markham in The Merchant of Venice, which required her to learn to walk in heels and speak with an English accent. She also reportedly spent a lot of time at the couple’s Hollywood house, going over lines with director Luhrmann and attending rehearsals.
A Romantic and Family-Friendly Getaway
Since the start of this year, the 45-year-old actor has been seen canoodling with Vardanoïa in a number of Instagram videos, including one where the two are seen soaking in a bathtub together. The pictures were reportedly taken on the set of the movie, which was released on Blu-ray in November and centers on a group of feuding families in pre-Civil War New York City. The film also stars Rebecca Ferguson, Paul Scofields, and Kate Winslet and is based on a short story by Edith Wharton.
In another picture shared on Instagram, Rob and FKA are seen holding hands as they walk towards a yellow cab, which was taken in Los Angeles on July 12. The picture was accompanied by the hashtags “#weddinginspo #weddingdresses”, which lead fans to believe that the two are engaged to be married. But does this mean that Stewart is finally over?
Not necessarily. According to an August report by E! News, the Twilight star has moved to Dubai with her mother, designer Lori Leibo, to begin shooting the fourth season of her reality show, Twilight Garage Sale. The network’s sources claim that Stewart is currently looking for a new place to live in L.A. and is “open to the idea of moving forward with a clean slate.”
While Stewart has yet to confirm or deny these reports, it seems unlikely that she’ll be moving back to L.A. after spending the last six months in Dubai, where she bought a $12-million mansion with her own money. Not to mention, her relationship with Pattinson was never intended to be publicly revealed. The 27-year-old actress had broken up with her Twilight co-star before the release of the series’ third movie, Eclipse, and told Vogue in early 2014 that she and Pattinson “aren’t really a couple.”
Signature Cocktails, Gourmet Food, And A Wedding Feast
A month after the breakup of his engagement to Stewart, Pattinson was seen at a New York City cocktail party with Vardanoïa and two other women. At the time, he wasn’t married and had yet to set a wedding date with Vardanoïa. While a guest at the event, the actor was served a concoction named in his honor, which included gin, vodka, and rum mixed with lemon, orange, and ginger juices and topped off with a lemon twist. He also had toasted the event with champagne, which he donated, along with the cocktails, to a local charity shop.
Ahead of the premiere of The Merchant of Venice, Pattinson and Vardanoïa were seated at a candlelit dinner table. The actress was wearing a diamond-studded yellow dress, and the two were joined by their guests, including Ferguson and Winslet. After dinner, the group moved to the couple’s villa in the hills for an outdoor pool party with views of the city. As night fell, twinkling lights and a bonfire dotted the garden, and guests were treated to a private performance from Pattinson, who played guitar and sang with a band.
The former couple’s engagement is likely to become one of the most talked-about issues among fans. Not only will they need to work out their relationship, but Stewart’s camp will be pushing for her to be part of Pattinson’s upcoming productions. What is clear, however, is that the 45-year-old actor is focused on his next project and has moved on from the breakup of his five-year marriage to Stewart. While Stewart may never truly be over, it seems that her and Pattinson’s relationship is now in the past and they are focused on their future as a romantic partnership.