‘Better to be apart for now’

The fairy-tale romance appears to be over for Olivia Rodrigo. After two years together, the ‘Drivers License’ singer and British actor Louis Partridge have quietly gone their separate ways. An unexpected split that insiders say has left friends stunned and the pop star heartbroken just weeks before Christmas.

Sources confirmed to The Sun that Rodrigo, 22, and Partridge, also 22, ended their relationship a few weeks ago, despite publicly presenting a united front right up until the end. The pair had been dating since 2023 and were widely regarded as one of pop culture’s most low-key but beloved young couples.

“They made such a lovely couple so people who know them were shocked when they heard,” the source told the publication. “It’s not been the easiest few weeks for them and they decided it’s better to be apart for now.”

The decision, while mutual, hasn’t been easy, reports say. Despite smiling for cameras in recent weeks, Rodrigo reportedly struggled behind the scenes. According to sources, she became emotional while attending Lily Allen’s star-studded Christmas party at London club Stringfellows.

© Matt Winkelmeyer/VF25

The same source revealed. “Olivia was at Lily’s party and emotional when she was talking about it. Her friends have rallied around her but it’s just been pretty rough. It’s really sad right now.”

Meanwhile, the actor was also in London, with fans confused about the breakup news and their plans for the holidays.

Their love story:

The couple were first linked in October 2023 after being spotted celebrating Halloween together in London. A US Sun report at the time claimed they met through mutual friends and quickly became “inseparable” after messaging one another.

© Mike Egerton – PA Images

From there, their relationship unfolded in public but measured moments, affectionate Wimbledon appearances, red-carpet kisses, and a glamorous joint debut at the Venice Film Festival in August 2024 for Partridge’s film ‘Disclaimer.’

© Eric Charbonneau

They also weren’t shy about navigating fame together. In September, while promoting his Netflix series ‘House of Guinness,’ Partridge told Variety he was unfazed by being known as “Mr Olivia Rodrigo!” “I can handle that.” He added at the time that he believed they were “very happy” together.

In a separate interview with Esquire UK, Partridge explained why the couple chose to keep parts of their relationship private, noting that both understood the pressures that come with dating as celebrities.

© Neilson Barnard

“I think [it helps], yeah, to not blow it out of proportion or not have to explain it or have someone understand it. I just have no doubt that we’re both in a relationship for the right reason, for example. I’m sure that’s something you have to think about when you reach a certain level of success.”

What’s next for them?

The split arrives at a time when Rodrigo’s career has never been bigger. Over the past year, she headlined Glastonbury and British Summer Time in London, while her sophomore album ‘Guts’ continues to dominate charts.

Industry watchers are already speculating that this latest split could shape the emotional backbone of her next album, her first since ‘Guts’ in 2023. 

© Samir Hussein

Rodrigo recently sparked excitement about her future music after fans spotted a hidden “OR3” clue in a TikTok shared via her official fan account. While she hasn’t confirmed anything, the timing, amid personal upheaval, feels significant.

For now, friends say the singer is leaning on her inner circle and focusing on what she does best, turning raw emotion into music that resonates. As for Partridge, sources stress there’s no suggestion of wrongdoing on either side.