Troy and Gabriella said it right – It’s the start of something new. Whether it’s two strangers meeting for the first time over a karaoke duet, placing a bet in a bar or saving a man who has just fallen on the train tracks, meet cutes are the start of an epic romance. Romantic comedies have placed unrealistic expectations on meeting a significant other. But “cute” meet cutes can happen in real life too.
Here are 10 meetcutes that actually happened in real life:
1. John Legend and Chrissy Teigen
She was the model for his music video to “Stereo” and he was the famous singer. They weren’t just acting for the camera in their steamy scenes together. After filming, she walked into his dressing room and caught him ironing his own underwear. What she didn’t realize was soon he would be doing so in their own home with two kids running around. Who said ironing isn’t sexy?
2. Kate Winslet and Ned Rocknroll
No, it wasn’t aboard a sinking ship. These two met on a group vacation. It was all fun and games until their house caught on fire in the middle of the night. Luckily, everyone made it out safely. Even Ned Rocknroll’s 90-year-old relative whom Kate carried out of the building. Women can be heroes too, and Ned definitely liked that.
3. Michelle and Barack Obama
Paired together because they both attended Harvard, Michelle became Barack’s mentor at their firm. She was focused on her career and didn’t want the distraction of dating. Barack obviously changed her mind. Good thing he did because it set them on their path to becoming the “it couple” in the oval office. Talk about a power couple.
4. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Blind dates are usually weird and awkward, but not for Harry and Meghan. They instantly felt a spark and made plans to see each other again before their first date even ended. Raise your hand if you wish your friends would set you up with a prince!
5. Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds
They first met on the set of a movie they were filming together. Both in relationships with other people, they became strictly friends. About a year later, when they were both single, they went on a double date partnered with other people. A little switcheroo happened leading to a blissful marriage. They always say the best relationships begin as friendships.
6. Jada and Will Smith
In West Philadelphia born and raised…on set is where Jada and Will started their days. Jada met Will when she was 19-years-old during her audition for “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” They didn’t start dating until years later when Jada finally saw Will as not a lanky nerd but a responsible man.
7. Matt Damon and Luciana Barroso
Barroso was bartending in a bar in Miami that Matt Damon just happened to go to. He saw her from across the room with a light shining down on her. In Bourne-like fashion, he swoops behind the bar to “escape his fans.” Her response was to put him to work. If he was going to be back there, might as well make himself useful!
8. Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez
You know those people you see walking out of the grocery store wandering around the parking lot because they can’t find their car? Well, that was what Alex Rodriguez looked like when Jennifer saw him and tapped him on the shoulder. He didn’t even recognize who she was at first! Now, they’re married.
9. Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner
Even celebrities DM their crush’s social media. That’s exactly what Joe did. Joe and Sophia followed each other on Instagram and he surprised her with a direct message out of the blue. Can you blame him? She was the queen of Winterfell.
And we can’t forget…
10. Tinder Couples
No specific couple here, just the many pairings that joined because of Tinder. More and more love stories are beginning on dating apps nowadays. Let’s normalize it.
Celebrities meet their significant others in their everyday lives like the rest of us. Does your meetcute deserve to be included on this list? Share your story! To all my single people out there, fear not! This list is the exception, not the rule. Who knows? Maybe you’ve already experienced your own meet cute with that special someone. They just haven’t become special to you yet.