We're not sure what's harder to believe: That it's been almost exactly three years since Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom first sparked romance rumors or that it's only been three years.
In those three years following that fateful Golden Globes after party in 2016 where the the "Chained to the Rhythm" singer first crossed paths with the Pirates of the Caribbean actor, who turns 42 on Sunday, Jan. 13, the couple have been through it. From break ups to make ups, nude photo scandals and blending families, Katy and Orlando have managed to keep their romance as private as possible, perhaps the lesson learned from the failed marriages in both stars' recent pasts.
Whatever the reason, they've managed to keep their relationship something that, through the good and the bad, is truly theirs. And to think, for a while there, it didn't seem like we'd get back to this place.
The world was first clued in on the fact that something might be going on between the pair thanks photos of Katy and Orlando showcasing some undeniable chemistry at Netflix's after party made their way online, with eyewitness reports from the event claiming that the two were doing little hide their hangout as they danced together and shared a vape pen at the event held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. As we all wondered exactly what was going on there, Katy and Orlando kept mum, though they did keep popping up at events together.
Weeks after the Golden Globes, they took in an LA performance of the play The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey, popping up in a photo on the playwright's Instagram, though still maintaining a bit of distance between one another. Then there was a February Adele concert and trip to Hawaii, followed by March's trips to London and Santa Barbara, where it became clear that these two were more than just friends.
"Katy likes how down to earth Orlando is," a source told E! News that month. "They seem to be getting serious and are an official couple. She calls him her boyfriend."
By then, Katy had already met Flynn, Orlando's young son with ex-wife Miranda Kerr. "Katy has met Flynn, and they get along wonderful," a source told us that February. "She thinks he is so cute and such a well behaved kid! Katy would [also] like kids one day, and she is vocal about that."
So, you could say that things were moving ahead at full steam. However, despite all their continued couple-y sightings throughout that spring, the pair were hesitant to publicly acknowledge exactly what was going on between then, especially where it mattered most: social media. Until, that is, the Instagram post that changed everything in May.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Weinstein Company
On May 20, 2016, after months of poorly-managed secrecy, including a night out at the amfAR Gala where they played it incredibly cool in front of the house photographers, Katy made things Insta-official when she shared a photo of her and Orlando sprawled out on the staircase of a gorgeous mansion with the caption, "we cannes't."
As spring gave way to summer, a source told E! News that things were getting more serious between the two than anyone had even imagined. "They are in love and happier than ever. [Orlando] would like to get engaged to [Katy] before the year is up," the insider said.
By July, Orlando was performing the role of proud boyfriend as Katy took the stage at the Democratic National Convention, snapping a pic of her on his iPhone from the stands as she spoke and performed her hit track "Roar." Days later, Katy would reveal on Twitter that "Lando" even helped her out with her speech.
A month later, they would take their steamy romance overseas yet again for a trip to Sardinia in southern Italy. "Katy and Orlando enjoy traveling together, so whenever they have an opportunity they try to make it work," a source told E! News. "All of Katy's friends and family like Orlando, so bringing him away with her is always a great time."
But while there, they'd get caught up in their first bit of international scandal when, while enjoying an afternoon of paddleboarding, Orlando stripped down to his birthday suit and was photographed by an incredibly intrusive paparazzo. In the immediate aftermath, he would joke about the incident on Instagram, with a video of him running in slow-motion captioned, "when you are chasing down the guy who stole your swimming trunks."
But the following April, he'd open up to Elle U.K. about the shock of being caught in such an intimate moment. "I wouldn't have put myself in that position if I'd thought it would happen. I've been photographed a million times in a million different ways. I have a good radar. We'd been completely alone for five days—nothing around us. There was no way anyone could get anything," he recalled. "I had a moment of feeling free. What can I tell you? Note to self: You're never free. Ha!"
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