Nia Vardalos Makes Rare Red Carpet Appearance with New Boyfriend at Academy Museum Gala

Hollywood star Nia Vardalos, best known for her role in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, made a rare public appearance with her new boyfriend, Spiros Katsaganis, on Saturday evening at the 2024 Academy Museum Gala in Los Angeles.

The 62-year-old actress stunned in a gold satin dress, while Katsaganis, an Athens resident, donned a sharp black tuxedo. This marked one of their few red-carpet appearances, as they keep their relationship private.

The couple met in 2022 at an outdoor restaurant in Greece, shortly after Vardalos wrapped filming My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3. Describing their first encounter as "movie-like," Vardalos previously told People magazine it was a chance meeting under a full moon that felt straight out of a romantic script. She revealed that the timing of their relationship was ideal, as she had just completed her filming commitments.

This public outing comes about a year after their last red carpet-appearance in December 2023 at the 3rd Annual Academy Museum Gala, where the couple kept a low profile. At the time, they appeared more like friends, sparking little speculation about their relationship. Vardalos later confirmed in an interview that she was in a relationship with someone from Athens but kept his identity private for over a year, wanting to protect the "specialness" of their bond.

This new romance comes six years after Vardalos split from actor Ian Gomez, her husband of over 20 years. The former couple shares a teenage daughter, Ilaria. Vardalos, who took a break from dating after her divorce, expressed her focus on parenting during that period, stating, "No teenager wants to hear or know about what their mom is doing." She added that she felt it was important for her daughter to prioritise her own life during those years.

Despite the end of her marriage, Vardalos continues to thrive both personally and professionally. Her latest appearance suggests a happy and exciting new chapter alongside her "secret" love.

(Source: Daily Mail UK)