Celebrity news

Sean Penn and girlfriend Valeria Nicov step out hand in hand in Santa Monica


The pair share a 34 year age gap and have been dating for over a year


Sean Penn and girlfriend Valeria Nicov step out hand in hand in Santa Monica© Starface
Maria LoretoSenior Writer
JANUARY 15, 2026 6:55 PM EST

Sean Penn is spending time with his girlfriend. The American actor is dating Valeria Nicov, an actress and model from Moldova who's 34 years his junior. 

Penn and his girlfriend were spotted in Santa Monica© Backgrid/The Grosby Group
Penn and his girlfriend were spotted in Santa Monica

The couple was recently photographed in Santa Monica, with the two holding hands on an outing. Penn was photographed wearing black pants, a button-up shirt, and a dark blazer as he smoked a cigarette.

Nicov wore an all-black outfit made up of a large coat, a sweater, and jeans. She completed the look with a black purse and some boots. Her hair was styled loose and straight.

According to the photo agency, the pair was out for a shopping trip, with Nicov smiling in one of the photos. 

The couple held hands for the outing© Backgrid/The Grosby Group
The couple held hands for the outing

 Sean Penn's notorious dating history

Sean Penn has been famous for many years and has dated some of the most famous and beautiful women in the world. His list of exes includes Madonna, with whom he was married for four years, Robin Wright, with whom he was also married for four years, Charlize Theron, and Scarlett Johansson

He and Nicov debuted their relationship in 2024, when the pair attended the Marrakech International Film Festival. The two have been photographed on various occasions since, including on vacations together or attending different events to support Penn's career.

Through her career, Nicov has been featured on various TV shows like "Emily in Paris" and a couple of French programs. She's been a model for brands like Carolina Herrera and Bonanza. 

Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn at the 83rd Annual Golden Globes held at The Beverly Hilton on January 11, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/2026GG/Penske Media via Getty Images) © Getty
Penn has received acclaim for his performance in 'One Battle After Another'

Shortly before dating Nicov, Penn opened up about his love life and shared that he was happy to be single. “I’m just free,” he said to The New York Times. “If I’m going to be in a relationship, I’m still going to be free, or I’m not going to be in it, and I’m not going to be hurting. I don’t sense I’ll have my heart broken by romance again.”

He spoke of heartbreak and of feeling unfulfilled in relationships, with him saying that he's been in situations where “the first thing I see in the morning are eyes wondering what I’m going to do to make them happy that day. Rarely reciprocated."

“On one of my marriages, the background noise of life was a ‘Housewives of Beverly Hills’ or another thing called ‘Love Island,’” he continued. “Not even being in the room — I’m not saying this to be cute — I was dying. I felt my heart, my brain shrinking. It was an assault.”

Valeria Nicov and Sean Penn appeared distant at the 17th Film Festival Lumiere in France© Arnold Jerocki
He and Nicov attended the Festival Lumiere in France

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