Before Pedro Pascal Rumours, Rafael Olarra and Luke Evans Were Hollywood's It Couple – How They Met, Went Public, and Called It Quits

Long before the recent speculation linking Rafael Olarra to Pedro Pascal, the Argentine creative director was in a relationship with Welsh actor Luke Evans.

For a brief spell in 2019 and 2020, the two were quietly inseparable. From featuring on each other's Instagram feeds to attending premieres together, it was not a relationship filled with a lot of drama, but the couple had their own sweet run, and when it ended, it did so just as discreetly.

How Rafael Olarra and Luke Evans Met

Neither Evans nor Olarra ever publicly detailed the exact moment they met. But those familiar with their circles have long suggested they were introduced through mutual friends in the overlapping worlds of art, fashion and film.

Olarra, an Argentine-born creative director who studied at Universidad del Cine in Buenos Aires, built a career working with luxury brands including Faena.

Evans, meanwhile, had firmly established himself in Hollywood with roles in films such as Beauty and the Beast and The Hobbit. According to reports, there was no viral meet-cute. Their relationship appeared to begin organically in the summer of 2019.

Going Public: From Hawaii to the Red Carpet

By autumn 2019, they were being spotted together more regularly. They attended the European premiere of Frozen 2 in November that year, which was their only official red carpet appearance as a couple, posing side by side but keeping public displays of affection understated.

The relationship went fully public in February 2020. Evans shared a video from a trip to Hawaii showing the pair laughing together on the beach, captioning it, 'He loves my Welsh humour....no, honestly!! He does!!' The post drew warm responses from friends and fans alike, with designer Brian Atwood commenting, 'Cute couple.'

Olarra also appeared in earlier posts, like from a January run together to group holiday snaps in Miami. For a time, they had the feel of an understated 'It couple,' stylish, international, and largely unbothered by media.

Evans, who has been openly gay since the early 2000s and previously told The Advocate he had 'never tried to hide,' has generally kept his relationships out of the spotlight. With Olarra, however, he seemed comfortable sharing glimpses.

The Instagram Clues That Sparked Split Rumours

By October 2020, fans began noticing subtle changes in social media activities. Evans had unfollowed Olarra on Instagram and removed photos of him from his grid. Olarra still had at least one image of Evans on his page at the time, captioned, 'Missing this devilish smile.'

Speculation quickly followed. Though there was no public statement at first, the signs were easy to recognise. Evans later addressed the split in an interview with The Times in early 2021, confirming they had parted ways. He did not offer details, saying simply, 'It is what it is.'

According to reports, the relationship appeared to end amicably.

Romance Rumours With Pedro Pascal

Olarra, by contrast, kept a lower romantic profile until recently.

His name returned to headlines after he was photographed spending time with Pedro Pascal. The Chilean-American actor, known for roles in The Mandalorian and The Last of Us, has long guarded his private life.

The pair were first seen together in New York, walking arm-in-arm and attending a screening. Days later, they were photographed again in Los Angeles, appearing relaxed and affectionate. Neither has confirmed the nature of their relationship.

If the Pascal speculation does develop into something official, it will not be the first time Olarra has found himself in a Hollywood love story.