If you’re reading this, you probably already know who Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart are. Whether you follow them on Instagram, watch their movies, or read their interviews, you’re always sure to hear about their whirlwind romance and the many media outlets that keep track of their every move. But now that they’re an item, it’s time to find out if all those rumors are true. More importantly, how can we know if they’re dating?

In the past, the actors would only share details about their private lives in interviews or vague press releases. But since their relationship became public, they’ve been more accessible to the press, which has led to a rash of stories regarding their romantic status. Some people think they’re dating, some people think they’re just good friends, and others think they broke up months ago. With so much misinformation out there, let’s examine the facts.

They’ve Been In Pictures Together Before

One of the first pieces of evidence that Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart might be dating is the fact that they’ve been in pictures together before. The Twilight star was linked to singer Shawn Mendes back in 2015, but their engagement was only a temporary alliance; they eventually called it quits and went their separate ways. Whether that was meant to be or not, it didn’t stop Mendes from scoring a collaboration with Stewart on his song “If You’re Lovin’ Me, Then Check This Out.”

It seems like they’ve always had a connection. They were introduced to each other while filming The Twilight Saga in Vancouver, Canada, and have been seen together ever since. When Stewart was 21 years old, she posed for a risqué Twinnie shirtless calendar that was sold at Urban Outfitters. The following year, she appeared in a Super Bowl commercial for Beats By Dre, promoting their headphone line. While the commercial was banned in some countries, it didn’t seem to faze Stewart’s millions of fans. She has since starred in numerous commercials and music videos for major companies like Chase Bank, Coca Cola, and Adidas.

They’ve Shared A Romantic Interest In The Past

One of the more interesting things about Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart’s relationship is that it seems to come with a specific set of parallels. Back in 2014, the actor shared a romantic interest in makeup artist Pat McGrath. The following year, Stewart confessed to Cosmo that she has “always had a bit of a flirtatious nature, and [she has] never really liked to hide it.” So it seems like their on-screen chemistry is genuine. But while it was a one-sided love story in the beginning, it didn’t remain that way for long.

According to Us Weekly, Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart first started seeing each other in 2015, while he was still involved with Mendes. But it wasn’t until a few months later that they started spending more than just a few hours a week together. Around that time, Kristen Stewart started receiving calls from tabloid journalists asking about her and Robert Pattinson’s relationship. She finally broke up with him in October of that year, but they kept working together, sharing an interest in fashion and lifestyle, which led to them starring in a fashion documentary titled Love Chronicles.

It was during that time that they started to publicly acknowledge their relationship. Their first joint appearance was in an Instagram post that featured them kissing on a New York City sidewalk. Since then, they’ve regularly posted adorable shots of themselves together. When they’re not busy filming their next project, they can be found walking their dogs or cuddling on a couch. Sometimes they’ll even throw some shade at each other, but for the most part, they keep their relationship grounded, posting about the joys of being in love.

They’ve Both Been Married Before

If you’re really into keeping track of celebrity romances, you might be interested to know that both Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart have been married before. The Twilight star has been married twice. His first marriage, to Nikki Reed, was annulled after only six months. Then he was married to actress Amalia Follis from 2011 to 2014. (Amalia was previously married to director John Hill and music producer Damon Elliott.)

But it was Kristen Stewart’s marriage to Chad Goyens in 2016 that made headlines. The couple welcomed twins, Arlo and Lou, that summer, and called off their engagement two years later. It was after their split that she started dating Robert Pattinson. And since then, they’ve been linked (more than once) to various celebrity scandals, including Stewart’s engagement to director Rupert Sanders in 2018.

In 2019, People magazine was the first to report that Stewart and Sanders were indeed an item. They called their romance “one of the most serious and least-publicized celebrity couplings of the year.” Just last month, Robert Pattinson was caught up in the Me Too movement when a writer for Vogue tweeted about how the director Quentin Tarantulinha assaulted her at a nightclub in 2018. (He has since apologized for his actions and is awaiting trial.)

But we already knew about the Me Too scandal. What else happened?

Rumors Of Their Dating Aren’t New

It’s no secret that there have been rumors about the couple’s dating. The question is: Just how many of those rumors are true? As with most celebrity relationships, it’s hard to know exactly what happened. But it’s not hard to piece together the facts. Here are some of the most interesting things we know about their romance so far.

They’ve Never Reportedly Met In Real Life

One of the first clues that something was up with Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart was the fact that they’ve never reportedly met in person. According to a story published in August 2018 by US Weekly, the couple has only ever had phone calls or interviews regarding their relationship. When Stewart was 21, she was forced to deny rumors that she and the actor were an item after he allegedly assaulted her. “He is not someone I ever wanted to date or be with. I don’t care if people think I’m crazy, but he saved my life,” she said at the time. “He is a wonderful person and an amazing actor. I hope people don’t think I was crazy for believing in him.”

It seems like both Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart want their relationship to be kept private. While some people might see this as a sign of deceit or hiding something, it’s actually quite the opposite. (And as we’ve established, Stewart has never been one to shy away from controversy.) It means they’re doing what’s right for them individually. There are also signs that Robert Pattinson is keeping a low profile as well. Last year, he declined to be included on Forbes’ prestigious 30 Under 30 list, reportedly citing a fear of being “labeled.” (His management company, 62 Management, also declined to comment on the matter.)

How Does Their Romance Stack Up Against Other Famous Couples’ Marriages?

It’s always fun to compare and contrast celebrity romances. And since Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart are one of the more recognizable and well-liked celebrity couples, it’s an easy task for us. Let’s take a quick look at how their romance compares to some of the other famous couples’ marriages.

The Most Decades-Old Couple

It wouldn’t be a proper review of Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart’s romance if we didn’t point out their age difference. While the actors are both in their mid-20s, Stewart is two years younger than Pattinson. The difference in age can be a source of tension for some couples, but it also makes for an interesting dynamic. For instance, Stewart often posts about her admiration for older women and how they inspire her. She shared a sweet story with Vogue back in 2018 about how her grandmother used to babysit her when she was younger, encouraging her to explore her creativity.

Although they’re both pretty private people and don’t always share their personal lives with the press, Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart are making a concerted effort to be more open. Now that they’re a couple, they’re willing to share details about their relationship with the public. And what’s great is that they’re not just using social media to keep up with each other; they’re also using their platforms to speak out about important issues. In September 2019, they joined the chorus of celebrities who have urged their fans to support Paris’ bid to become a UN climate change summit city. The pair shared a passionate plea to their followers: