Brie Larson is one of the most talented and versatile actresses of her generation. She became a household name through her breakout performances in movies like Short Term 12, and her Oscar-winning role in 2015’s Room. Her career only soared higher when she took on the role of ‘Carol Danvers’ in Marvel’s Captain Marvel and joined the super heroes for Avengers: Endgame.
Yet, despite Brie’s very public career, she has always been notoriously private about her personal life. While many celebrities share glimpses of their relationships on social media, she has carefully chosen what to reveal and what to keep hidden. Still, her romance with Alex Greenwald, the lead singer of the band, Phantom Planet, became one of the most well-known aspects of her personal life. Fans adored their pairing, especially after Alex proposed in 2016. But in January 2019, the couple shocked many by calling off their engagement. Let’s take a closer look at Brie and Alex’s relationship timeline and why it ultimately ended.
How did Brie Larson and Alex Greenwald meet?
Brie and Alex were first linked in 2013, and thought the two never openly discussed how they met, many reports suggested they were introduced through Jason Schwartzman, who was both Phantom Planet’s guitarist and almost Brie’s co-star in Squirrels to the Nuts. Their chemistry was apparent from the beginning, and Brie didn’t shy away from acknowledging Alex during her award wins.
In November 2013, during her acceptance speech at the Gotham Independent Awards for Short Term 12, Brie sweetly thanked Alex, saying, “I’d like to thank my boyfriend, Alex Greenwald, for making me pasta and taking care of our puppy while I made this movie.” The gesture melted hearts and gave fans their first public confirmation of the relationship.
Brie Larson and Alex Greenwald had a relationship in the spotlight
Though private with her relationship, Brie did let the world catch glimpses of her romance with Alex. He became a frequent presence by her side at award shows, including the 2015 Oscars, where she earned widespread acclaim for her role in Room. When Brie won the Best Actress Academy Award in 2016, she made sure to include Alex in her emotional speech. “Jacob Tremblay, my partner through this in every way possible. My real partner, Alex Greenwald, I love you,” she said on stage, publicly affirming the depth of their bond.
In interviews, Brie described Alex as her ‘person’ and ‘best friend.’ She always praised him and credited him for being a supportive and loving partner. During a backstage interview at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in 2016, she told Entertainment Tonight:
“He’s the other half of the equation, how can you explain support? It goes beyond anything. He’s just my person.”
Brie Larson and Alex Greenwald got engaged
In May 2016, after three years together, Alex proposed to Brie during a trip to Tokyo. Their engagement was confirmed shortly afterwards, and fans were thrilled at the news. During Brie’s hosting gig on Saturday Night Live that same month, she subtly flashed her engagement ring, giving the world its first look. The couple had already been living together and raising a dog.
Brie Larson and her need for privacy
Despite their commitment, Brie often spoke about the challenges of balancing public life. In a 2016 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, she admitted that she is still struggling with how to manage her personal life and privacy with all the fame she has achieved. She could be quoted as saying:
“Each step of the way, I’m learning. When I leave an interview, I learn whether I feel, oh, that was nice, or that made me feel like a little piece of me was taken. It’s a line that is always on the edge of being crossed.”
Similarly, in a 2017 BuzzFeed interview, she expressed her discomfort with the assumption that actors owe the public full access to their lives. She said that just because actors put themselves in a movie or on TV, it does not mean they want to be completely open to the world. She understands the audience’s point of view, but it was difficult to explain how terrified it made her.
Brie Larson and Alex Greenwald broke up
In January 2019, it was confirmed that Brie and Alex had called off their engagement after nearly six years of togetherness, followed by three years of engagement. A source told People that they have taken a step back from their engagement for the time being, but they remain close. The breakup was described not as a bitter split, but more as a mutual step back to reassess priorities. Unlike many celebrity breakups that are marked by drama, Brie and Alex seemed to handle their split with maturity and respect.
Why did Brie Larson and Alex Greenwald split?
While neither Brie nor Alex publicly revealed the exact reason for ending their engagement, several factors may have contributed to the decision. Brie’s career skyrocketed between 2015 and 2019. Winning an Oscar, joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and headlining major blockbusters likely shifted her lifestyle and schedule. Balancing a high-profile Hollywood career with an intimate, private relationship is no easy job and affected the couple’s relationship.
Brie’s consistent remarks about guarding her personal life also clashed with the realities of being in a long-term, public engagement. Despite the end of their engagement, sources emphasised that Brie and Alex remained close, suggesting that their breakup wasn’t fueled by hostility but by mutual understanding and respect for one another.
Brie Larson and Alex Greenwald’s life after their split
Both Brie and Alex have since moved forward in their personal and professional lives. Brie began dating filmmaker, Elijah Allan-Blitz later in 2019, and continued to enjoy massive success with Captain Marvel and Avengers: Endgame. Elijah often accompanied her to events, although the couple parted ways shortly after. Alex, meanwhile, returned his focus to music and continued performing with Phantom Planet, the band best known for their hit California, the theme song of The O.C.
While Brie and Alex’s relationship didn’t end in marriage, it remains one of her most significant and public romances. Fans admired their bond, the support they showed to one another. Their breakup was a reminder that even perfect Hollywood couples face the same challenges as everyone else. What made their story different was how gracefully they handled the end, keeping sanctity of their relationship rather than turning the breakup into headlines.
Even today, their relationship is remembered not for its ending, but for the warmth it brought to Brie’s otherwise private life.
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