The Split Shock: Why Austin Butler And Kaia Gerber Ended Their Three-Year Romance In A Quiet 2024 Breakup

The celebrity world was stunned in early 2025 with the confirmation of a major Hollywood split: actor Austin Butler and model/actress Kaia Gerber had quietly ended their three-year relationship near the close of 2024. As of this writing on December 18, 2025, the news of the separation continues to be a central topic of discussion, marking the end of one of the industry's most high-profile, yet intensely private, romances. The couple, who first sparked dating rumors in late 2021, navigated the intense spotlight of Austin Butler’s meteoric rise following his Oscar-nominated performance in Elvis, choosing to keep the intimate details of their life together largely out of the public eye.

The news of the breakup, which surfaced just after the New Year, came as a shock to fans who had watched the pair support each other through major career milestones, from the Cannes Film Festival to the Oscars. Sources close to the former couple have indicated that the split was amicable, citing no dramatic fallout, but rather a natural progression and the challenges of balancing two demanding, globe-trotting careers. This article provides a comprehensive look at their individual profiles, the full timeline of their romance, and the context surrounding their surprising decision to part ways.

The Profiles: Austin Butler and Kaia Gerber’s Road to Stardom

To understand the magnitude of this Hollywood pairing, one must first look at the individual trajectories of the two stars. Austin Butler and Kaia Gerber represent two different generations of Hollywood royalty—one a breakout actor with a decade of work, the other a supermodel scion with a blossoming acting career.

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Austin Robert Butler: From Disney to Dune

• Full Name: Austin Robert Butler
• Born: August 17, 1991, in Anaheim, California.
• Parents: Lori Anne Howell and David Butler.
• Early Career: Butler began his career as a child actor, appearing on popular Nickelodeon and Disney Channel shows, including Zoey 101, Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide, and Wizards of Waverly Place.
• Breakthrough Role: His career-defining role came in 2022 as the titular character in Baz Luhrmann's biopic, Elvis. The performance earned him a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
• Major Projects: Post-Elvis, Butler solidified his A-list status with major roles as Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen in Denis Villeneuve's sci-fi epic Dune: Part Two (2024) and as Major Gale Cleven in the critically acclaimed WWII miniseries Masters of the Air (2024). His upcoming projects include Jeff Nichols' film The Bikeriders.
• Previous Relationship: Butler was famously in a long-term relationship with actress Vanessa Hudgens for nearly nine years, which ended in January 2020.

Kaia Jordan Gerber: Supermodel Scion and Emerging Actress

• Full Name: Kaia Jordan Gerber
• Born: September 3, 2001, in Los Angeles, California.
• Parents: Supermodel icon Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber. Her brother is Presley Gerber.
• Modeling Career: Following in her mother's footsteps, Kaia began modeling professionally in her early teens, quickly becoming one of the most sought-after faces in fashion. She has walked for every major fashion house, including Chanel, Versace, Prada, and Saint Laurent.
• Acting Career: Gerber has successfully transitioned into acting, earning praise for her roles in television and film. Notable credits include the tenth season of American Horror Story, and the acclaimed 2023 teen comedy film Bottoms, where she showcased her comedic range.
• Activism and Education: Beyond her professional work, Gerber is known for her involvement in various charitable causes and has expressed a keen interest in literature, often sharing her reading recommendations.
• Previous Relationship: Prior to Butler, Gerber dated actor Jacob Elordi for about a year.

The Whirlwind Romance: A Timeline of Key Moments

Austin Butler and Kaia Gerber’s relationship was a classic Hollywood whirlwind, beginning shortly after their respective previous high-profile breakups. Their connection quickly became a fixture in the tabloids, though they consistently prioritized privacy, only making carefully selected public appearances to support each other’s careers.

December 2021: Rumors Ignite. The first sparks flew in late 2021, just weeks after Kaia Gerber's split from Jacob Elordi. The pair were photographed together in Los Angeles, attending a yoga class and later leaving the city together, signaling the start of a new romance. The 10-year age gap (Butler is 33, Gerber is 24) became an immediate talking point across social media and celebrity news outlets.

March 2022: Going Public. After months of low-key dates and paparazzi sightings, the couple made their first official public appearance at W Magazine’s annual Best Performances party. While they did not walk the red carpet together, they were photographed inside the event, confirming their status as a couple.

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May 2022: The Cannes Debut and PDA. The relationship reached a new level of public visibility at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival, where Austin Butler was promoting Elvis. The two shared a now-famous, passionate kiss on the red carpet, a moment that instantly went viral and cemented their status as Hollywood’s new 'It Couple.' They followed this up with an appearance at the Met Gala, where they walked the carpet separately but reunited inside.

2023: The Awards Season and Engagement Rumors. As Butler’s career exploded with the success of Elvis, Kaia was a constant, supportive presence throughout the grueling awards season, from the Golden Globes to the Academy Awards. This period of intense scrutiny also fueled persistent, though ultimately unconfirmed, rumors of an engagement, especially after a prominent celebrity gossip account suggested a proposal had taken place in April 2023.

February 2024: Supporting Dune. Kaia Gerber was seen on the red carpet at the London premiere of Dune: Part Two, showcasing her support for Austin’s highly anticipated villainous role. Butler made a rare public comment about her, simply stating he was "happy" when asked about their relationship, reinforcing their commitment to privacy.

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July 2024: The Final Sighting. One of their last known public outings was a quiet date night at a Broadway show in New York City in the summer of 2024. They continued to maintain a low profile throughout the fall, a sign that, in hindsight, may have foreshadowed the coming separation.

The Split: Why Hollywood's 'It Couple' Ended Their Three-Year Run

The news of the breakup, which was first reported by TMZ and subsequently confirmed by multiple outlets in January 2025, ended the nearly three-year relationship. The timing was particularly notable, as it occurred around the holiday season, a time typically reserved for family and togetherness.

The first major sign of trouble came when Austin Butler reportedly did not join Kaia Gerber and her famous family—Cindy Crawford, Rande Gerber, and Presley Gerber—for their traditional annual New Year’s vacation in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. His absence from this significant family event immediately sparked intense speculation among fans and media observers.

Sources with direct knowledge of the situation were quick to clarify that the decision to end the relationship was mutual and that there was "no drama" involved. The primary factor cited by multiple insiders was the relentless pressure and scheduling conflicts of their booming careers. Butler, having just finished the press tour for Dune: Part Two and the filming of The Bikeriders, and Gerber, balancing her high-fashion modeling work with new acting roles, found the logistics of a committed relationship increasingly difficult.

The narrative suggests a classic case of two young, ambitious individuals whose professional paths pulled them in different directions. While they shared a deep connection and mutual respect, the demands of being a global movie star and a top-tier supermodel proved too challenging to sustain a consistent partnership. The couple’s desire for privacy also meant they never had to publicly address or manage the rumors, allowing them to handle the separation on their own terms, away from the intense media scrutiny that often follows celebrity breakups.

Looking Ahead: Focus on Future Projects

Both Austin Butler and Kaia Gerber are now reportedly focusing entirely on their respective careers as they navigate their new single status in 2025. This focus on work is a common coping mechanism for A-list celebrities dealing with a public separation and will likely keep them on opposite sides of the country, or even the world, for the foreseeable future.

For Austin Butler, the coming year is packed with potential awards buzz for his recent projects. His performance in Dune: Part Two has been lauded, and his role in The Bikeriders is highly anticipated. His career trajectory remains firmly on the path of a leading man in major Hollywood productions, offering little downtime.

Kaia Gerber continues to dominate the fashion industry, appearing in major campaigns and on international runways. Her commitment to acting also remains strong, with her critically praised turn in Bottoms paving the way for more significant film roles. Her strong support system, including her mother Cindy Crawford, will undoubtedly help her transition into this new phase of her life.

While the end of the Austin Butler and Kaia Gerber romance is a disappointing footnote for fans who rooted for the aesthetically perfect couple, their shared history remains a compelling chapter in Hollywood's modern celebrity dating landscape. The story serves as a reminder that even the most beautiful and successful couples can be undone by the simple, powerful force of conflicting schedules and the relentless demands of a global career.