Shirtless Channing Tatum pens heartfelt tribute to fiancée Zoë Kravitz and their film ‘Blink Twice’
Channing Tatum has penned a sweet tribute to Zoë Kravitz, praising her impressive work on her directorial debut, "Blink Twice."
Kravitz's psychological thriller arrived in theaters Aug. 23 and has received positive reviews from many critics. Now, Tatum, who stars in the movie, is weighing in and applauding Kravitz for giving "every single ounce" of herself to bring the film to life.
On Sept. 3, Tatum wrote a glowing review of Kravitz, to whom he has been engaged since 2023, on Instagram. He uploaded an adorable selfie he took of Kravitz peacefully sleeping on his chest.
"This little sweet," he said in the caption. "She So tired bro. Every time I wondered if she’d break…. She just kept going and going and going. Always on the dig for truth."
He continued to compliment her work ethic, writing, "She pour’d every single ounce of her into this film. I’m so proud to stand ten toes down for her, this film and everyone in it. forever."
Tatum said he knows firsthand how much effort his fiancée put in and that no one can fully understand how hard she worked.
He added, "Thank you for finding me and seeing me. I got you forever. Me and you back to back against it all. I’ll never blink. Let’s go."
In addition to directing "Blink Twice," Kravitz also co-wrote the script, served as producer and played a stewardess.
Kravitz and Tatum made their first red carpet appearance together as a couple for the "Blink Twice" premiere at DGA Theater Complex in Los Angeles Aug. 8. Although the red carpet was packed with photographers and the rest of the cast, it seemed like the actors only had eyes for each other.
The engaged couple color coordinated, with Kravitz in a black gown with cutouts and Tatum in a black suit with a white button-up dress shirt. The event marked the first time they'd posed for photos together — three years after they started dating.
The two don't often open up about their relationship, but when they do talk about each other in interviews, they couldn’t be more glowing.
The "Batman" star has called Tatum her “protector,” and Tatum has shared that he’s “in awe” of his fiancée.
While at the "Blink Twice" premiere, both spoke to reporters about their relationship on and off the screen.
“There’s a shorthand when you know somebody so well and there’s so much trust there,” Kravitz told E! News. “It was a joy to work with him and I think art is the deepest expression of love, so being able to do that with my partner was amazing.”
Additionally, Tatum told E! News that their relationship was "born inside of the creative process."
“That was what brought us together and made us really feel like we’re very connected on what we love about life, what we love about just things in general about being alive,” he said, before touching on their bond. “I just respect her point of view so much. That I need her in those hard moments more than I’m, like, worried if we’re going to get through the hard moments.”
Speculation about their romance first emerged in 2021 when a photo of them riding a bicycle went viral. Two years later, they announced their engagement.
Read on for a full timeline of Channing Tatum and Zoë Kravitz’s relationship.
2021: Their romance begins after Kravitz casts Tatum in 'Blink Twice'
Tatum, 44, and Kravitz, 35, have both been married in the past. Tatum was married to actor Jenna Dewan from 2009 to 2018, and they share one daughter, Everly, 11. Tatum and Dewan are still involved in an ongoing legal battle about their divorce.
Meanwhile, Kravitz was married to actor Karl Glusman from 2019 to 2021.
Kravitz and Tatum first connected when she sent the “Magic Mike” star an early draft of the script for “Blink Twice” — which was originally named “Pussy Island” — a thriller about a young waitress who falls for a tech mogul, who is not what he seems.
“I thought it was super punk rock,” Tatum told Vanity Fair in January 2023, recalling his reaction to the script. “She had passion in there, and she had a point of view that was really specific to who she was and what her experience was. But I wasn’t sure it was clear yet, what it wanted to be.”
They reconnected two and a half years later when she showed him a new version of the script.
“It was great,” he told Vanity Fair. “I was like, ‘Wow. You are really saying something.’ That’s the kind of person you want to create with. That really has this perspective they’re constantly digging for.”
Kravitz has also shared why she wanted to cast Tatum in her directorial debut.
“Looking at his work and hearing him speak about 'Magic Mike' and the live show, I’m like, I think he’s a feminist. You need to be so far from who this is, where it’s not scary,” she told Elle in March 2022. “And I don’t think we’ve ever seen him play someone dark. I’m excited to see him do that.”
July 2021: Tatum, Zoë Kravitz and her dad exchange funny messages on Instagram
After Kravitz’s dad, Lenny Kravitz, posted an Instagram photo of himself building a deck in July 2021, Tatum jumped in the comments.
“Oh s---!! Doing the lords work i see!! Will be calling you shortly to get into your schedule my friend. Hehehe,” Tatum commented on the “Fly Away” singer’s half-shirtless photo.
The "High Fidelity" actor then replied to Tatum’s comment, writing, “you auditioning for MM3?”
“I’ve been ready!” the rocker replied to his daughter’s comment.
While nothing was officially revealed about their relationship, their playful exchange suggested that by this time, Tatum was on chatting and joking terms with Kravitz and her dad.
August 2021: A viral paparazzi photo further fuels relationship rumors
It’s unknown exactly when Kravitz and Tatum began dating. But rumors about a romance between them began to build as they were spotted together on multiple outings throughout 2021.
In August 2021, a paparazzi photo showed Kravitz riding on a bicycle with Tatum, her arms wrapped around his shoulders as he pedaled. The bicycle photo went viral and quickly became a meme.
Kravitz later told GQ that when that photo was taken, she and Tatum had been walking to her writing partner's house in New York City when he offered her a ride on his bike due to the hot weather.
“I was sweating, and he was like, ‘Get on the bike, I’ll ride you over and you can relax,’” she recalled.
She also reflected on their desire to keep their relationship out of the press.
“You want to keep it sacred and private as long as you can,” she said. “So that you don’t have to even think about what the world thinks about it.”
A month later, speculation about their romance continued to build as they appeared to leave the Met Gala together.
February 2022: Tatum celebrates the premiere of Kravitz’s movie ‘The Batman’
On Feb. 28, 2022, Jason Momoa, the ex-husband of Kravitz’s mother, Lisa Bonet, posted an Instagram photo of him and Tatum getting ready to attend the premiere of “The Batman” and see "our Zozo," referring to Kravitz.
“CHEEEEHUUUUUUUU. SO EXCITED @channingtatum and I are on our way to see our ZOZO. finally @thebatman premiere,” Momoa wrote in the caption.
He added that he was “beyond proud” of Kravitz and ended the caption, “ALOHA J and C.”
The photos further confirmed Tatum’s connection to the Kravitz family. His friendly rapport with Kravitz’s former stepdad fueled speculation that he and the actor were dating.
July 2022: Tatum says he is ‘in awe’ of Kravitz
Although Tatum and Kravitz remained tight-lipped about the exact nature of their relationship in the months following, Tatum did gush about her work as a first-time director.
“I’m in awe,” he told "ET" in July 2022.
“She’s doing better than I did on our first movie with 'Dog,'” Tatum said, referring to his own directorial debut. “I mean, jeez, we barely survived and she’s just killing it.”
He added that he appreciated Kravitz for giving him the chance to explore a very different genre of film, saying that she really “saw” him.
“She’s got a weird gift for that. She sees right through a lot of people’s stuff and really, just who they are to her is really simple,” he said. “She’s one of the more intentional people I’ve ever met in my life.”
October 2022: Lenny Kravitz calls Tatum his daughter’s ‘boyfriend’
By late 2022, Tatum and Kravitz had still not officially confirmed their relationship, but all signs were pointing to the fact that they were, in fact, an item.
In October 2022, Lenny Kravitz casually referred to Tatum as his daughter’s “boyfriend” during an interview with ET Canada.
“Well I figured, you know, your boyfriend might give me a job,” the singer said jokingly, recalling a time when his daughter and Tatum were talking about the “Magic Mike” franchise.
November 2022: Kravitz calls Tatum her ‘protector’
After her dad's casual reference to her relationship status, Kravitz opened up about how Tatum showed support for her as they worked on her debut film.
“Whether it was making me tea or pouring me a drink or going to whip someone into shape or whatever — he really was my protector and it was really wonderful and sweet,” she told GQ in November 2022. “I think if you can do something like that together, it’s a good test. And we came out even stronger.”
In the same interview, she called Tatum a “wonderful human.”
“He makes me laugh and we both really love art and talking about art and the exploration of why we do what we do. We love to watch a film and break it down and talk about it and challenge each other,” she said.
January 2023: Tatum jokes he has ‘no chill,’ admits to following Zoë Kravitz fan accounts
In early 2023, Tatum revealed that he was following some Instagram fan accounts dedicated to Kravitz.
“I have no chill,” he joked to Vanity Fair in January 2023. “I was just seeing what she was up to!”
“Also, I didn’t know anyone would know,” he added.
Tatum also described himself as a “monogamist” and opened up about the way he navigates romantic relationships.
“In business, I have no real fear of anything being destroyed. But heart things, when it comes to people I love, I have a really hard time,” he said. “I end up trying too hard, you know?”
October 2023: Tatum and Kravitz confirm their engagement
On Oct. 30, 2023, a source confirmed to TODAY.com that the “Magic Mike” star and the “Big Little Lies” actor were engaged.
The news came after the couple was spotted holding hands at Kendall Jenner’s Halloween party on Oct. 28, 2023. They sported coordinating costumes that appeared to reference Mia Farrow’s 1968 thriller, “Rosemary’s Baby.”
It’s unclear exactly when they got engaged, but it seems to have happened before the Halloween party. In addition to her “Rosemary’s Baby” costume, Kravitz was seen that night with a sizable ring on that finger.
In December 2023, she wore the same ring as she attended a gala at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles.
The often-private couple has not shared any details about their engagement publicly.
March 2024: Tatum and Kravitz support Lenny Kravitz at his Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony
At her famous dad's Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony on March 12, 2024, Kravitz and Tatum looked very much in love.
The two could be seen laughing and enjoying the morning as the musician was honored with his star on the iconic drive.
The actor and director seemed to be wearing her engagement ring at the ceremony. She also gave a speech where she gently teased her father about his love of sheer shirts.
As Lenny Kravitz’s star was unveiled, Tatum crouched on the ground and enthusiastically snapped photos on his phone.
April 2024: The trailer for Kravitz's and Channing Tatum's first film together is released
The first trailer for the thriller "Blink Twice" arrived in April. Tatum stars in the film as a wealthy tech mogul who invites a group of friends to his private island. After a few dates in the remote location, chaos ensues.
May 2024: Lenny Kravitz spills details about Zoë Kravitz and Tatum’s wedding plans
Although the actors like to mostly keep their love life to themselves, proud dad Lenny Kravitz couldn't help but share information about his daughter’s wedding date in an interview on BBC’s Radio 2.
During an appearance on the British radio show “Zoe Ball and Friends” May 31, the “Fly Away” singer was complimenting Tatum and casually let it slip when the actors are expected to say, “I do.”
“He’s a really great guy,” Lenny Kravitz said about Tatum. “He was raised well. So, you know, he’s got manners. He’s charming. He’s a soulful human being. And so, he’s become part of the family quite quickly.”
He added, “He fits and they’re in love. We’re going to have a wedding next year.”
Unfortunately for the guests, the rocker is not expected to take the stage during the event.
When host Zoe Ball asked if Lenny Kravitz would perform or DJ the event, he replied, “I don’t think so. (I’ll) just be hanging out.”
August 2024: Kravitz and Tatum make their red carpet debut
After three years together, the engaged couple graced fans with a red carpet debut. Celebrating the release of “Blink Twice,” the pair posed for photos together for the first time.
The two had attended events together, but had never cozied up for the cameras so publicly until now. The “Blink Twice" premiere was held in Los Angeles on Aug. 8.
For the occasion, both opted for black ensembles, perfectly coordinating.
This article was originally published on TODAY.com
