Alia Shawkat Denies Brad Pitt Dating Rumors and Explains Their Connection as Friends

Alia Shawkat has once again addressed enduring speculation surrounding her friendship with actor Brad Pitt, confirming that they were never romantically involved. During a recent appearance on *Watch What Happens Live*, hosted by Andy Cohen, Shawkat shared insights about how the dating rumours began and her true relationship with the Hollywood star.

The 37-year-old actress fielded questions about the persistent gossip during a discussion with her *The Wrong Girls* co-star Kristen Stewart and writer-director Dylan Meyer. Cohen, intrigued by the past reports, asked Shawkat how the dating rumour mill surrounding her and Pitt had started. “It sounds all very chic and Hollywood,” she said, but maintained, “Um, no — he’s just my friend.”

Shawkat recounted meeting the 62-year-old actor through renowned filmmaker Spike Jonze. Their friendship blossomed over shared interests, particularly in art. Despite their close bond, the public’s perception often conflated their friendship with romance. “Everyone thought we were dating,” she explained. “If you stand next to him, everyone thinks you’re dating. Like, even his own mother.”

During the fall of 2019, Shawkat and Pitt were seen together at various events, including outings at the Wilding Cran Gallery in Los Angeles and an opera at the Hollywood Bowl. At that time, a source close to Pitt assured *PEOPLE* magazine that “absolutely nothing romantic is going on” between the pair. It was further clarified that Pitt was socialising with a broad circle of artistic friends and was not linked to any women in that group romantically.

As the discussion continued on the talk show, Shawkat reflected on the media attention those rumours garnered. With a hint of nostalgia, she recalled a cover of Us Weekly featuring an unflattering photograph of her next to Pitt, recalling how her Arabic grandmother was more excited about their supposed relationship than her actual career achievements. “I’ve been working in film for 30 years, you’ve never seen anything, but you love this,” she joked.

Cohen lightened the mood by stating that there could be worse dating rumours, to which Shawkat agreed with a chuckle, highlighting her fun perspective on the situation. “He’s great, he’s the coolest,” she reiterated, signalling her respect for Pitt despite the whirlwind of speculation.

For some time now, Pitt has been in a relationship with jewellery designer Ines de Ramon. Reports from late 2025 confirmed that the couple is living together, with their relationship becoming more public after making their red carpet debut at the Venice International Film Festival in 2024. They were spotted together at a FIFA World Cup match earlier in July, reinforcing their romance.

Shawkat has previously spoken about the overwhelming nature of the dating rumours, describing how they affected her personal life. In a June 2020 interview with *Vulture*, she expressed feeling swamped by the heightened attention, stating, “I was like, ‘You know everyone thinks we’re dating? And there’s this whole thing, and I’m being followed.’ He was, like, ‘I’m sorry. It happens. If you hang out with me, it happens.’ He had no awareness of it at all.”

The actress’s clarification comes at a time when she is celebrating the release of *The Wrong Girls*, a comedy which she stars in alongside Kristen Stewart. As for Pitt, he is preparing for his return to the silver screen with the upcoming films *Heart of the Beast* and *The Adventures of Cliff Booth*, scheduled for late September and November, respectively.

As both actors navigate their busy careers and accumulate accolades, it seems the friendship between Shawkat and Pitt remains a delightful anecdote among the bustling narratives of their Hollywood lives. Shawkat’s ability to tackle the dating rumours with humour stands as a testament to her resilience amid relentless conjecture, allowing her to focus on her art and friendships rather than the whims of the gossip mill.