Sean Penn Enjoys a Rare, Stylish Day Out With Girlfriend Valeria Nicov in Los Angeles

16 January 2026

Valeria Nicov and Sean Penn on Jan. 14, 2026 in Los Angeles. Credit : BACKGRID

Sean Penn, the two-time Academy Award-winning actor whose career has spanned turbulent indie dramas and commanding Hollywood roles, was recently photographed in a rare and intimate public moment with his girlfriend, model and actress Valeria Nicov, as the couple took a leisurely stroll through Santa Monica, California. On January 14, 2026, the pair were seen holding hands while out shopping and enjoying each other’s company, marking one of their few outings together captured by photographers and shared across entertainment media. Their relaxed yet coordinated appearance quickly drew attention, blending the intrigue of their age-gap romance with the spotlight that inevitably follows one of modern film’s most enduring personalities.

At 65 years old, Penn cut a distinguished figure on the California coast in a tailored but casual ensemble consisting of a crisp white button-down shirt, navy or blue tailored blazer, dark trousers and classic sneakers, an outfit that balanced sophistication with the ease of a sunny afternoon outing. Nicov, 30, complemented his look with a chic monochrome black outfit that included a turtleneck sweater beneath a peacoat, black slacks and matching sneakers, accessorized with cat-eye sunglasses perched on her collar and a sleek black baguette bag slung over her shoulder. As they walked side by side, cameras captured the couple in candid interaction, Nicov chatting quietly with Penn while they made their way through the coastal city’s relaxed sidewalks.

Their Santa Monica appearance followed closely on the heels of Penn’s attendance at the 2026 Golden Globe Awards on January 11, where he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Paul Thomas Anderson’s film One Battle After Another. While Nicov did not accompany him to the ceremony, Penn made headlines there for a decidedly less polished moment when he was photographed smoking indoors at his table during the event alongside fellow actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Hudson, an action that ignited conversation on social media and added a bit of edge to his awards season narrative.

The relationship between Penn and Nicov first came to public attention in September 2024, when Page Six and other outlets reported sightings of the two together in Madrid, Spain. They publicly confirmed their bond with a red-carpet debut at the 21st Marrakech International Film Festival in Morocco in November 2024, where Penn was being honored with a career achievement award. Since then, they have appeared together at high-profile international events, including the Cannes Film Festival in May 2025, gradually weaving their personal story into the fabric of Hollywood and European film culture.

Valeria Nicov, originally from Moldova, is a rising model and actress whose profile has grown alongside her association with Penn. She has been represented by Premium Models and has appeared in films and television shows such as Lineman Up: Storm Soldiers 3, Paris Pigalle and Ténor. Nicov’s background includes training and experience in both acting and modeling, granting her a versatile presence in entertainment and fashion circles. Her fluency in multiple languages and diverse skill set, which reportedly includes disciplines such as boxing, horse riding and playing piano, paint a picture of a young woman whose pursuits extend well beyond the shadow of her famous partner.

The notable age difference between the couple, Penn being roughly 35 years Nicov’s senior has frequently surfaced in media coverage, sparking both fascination and commentary whenever they step out together. Yet despite the attention their pairing garners, they have largely kept their relationship private, allowing glimpses of tenderness rather than courting the paparazzi spotlight. For many observers, their relaxed stroll in Santa Monica offered a window into a relationship that blends the personal and public elements of modern celebrity romance.

Penn’s romantic history is as storied as his filmography. Over the years he has been married three times, first to pop icon Madonna from 1985 to 1989, then to actress Robin Wright from 1996 to 2010, and most recently to Australian actress Leila George from 2020 until their 2022 divorce. Beyond these marriages, he has been linked to other actresses including Charlize Theron, Scarlett Johansson and Olga Korotyayeva, placing him consistently in the entertainment world’s relationship headlines.

What makes the latest Santa Monica outing notable is the sense of normalcy it conveyed. This was not a posed red-carpet tableau or a glossy magazine feature but a simple afternoon walk, two people enjoying a moment together in a public setting. For Penn, whose film roles often explore intense and enigmatic emotional terrain, the ease of a casual day with Nicov reveals a softer, more grounded side that fans don’t always see. For Nicov, it reinforced her presence not just as the companion of a Hollywood heavyweight but as a personality in her own right, poised, self-assured and comfortable moving through the world beside one of cinema’s most acclaimed actors.

As 2026 unfolds and Penn’s film continues its awards season journey, his relationship with Nicov is likely to remain a point of interest for fans and media alike. Whether they choose further public appearances or prefer intimate moments like their Santa Monica stroll, the pair’s story embodies the merging of personal connection and public curiosity that defines so much of celebrity life today.