If you spent any time on Tumblr circa 2010, you know the vibe. Granular black-and-white photos. Barbour jackets in the Glastonbury mud. That specific brand of British "cool" that felt impossible to replicate but effortless to watch. At the center of it all were Alex Turner and Alexa Chung.
They weren't just a celebrity couple. They were the blueprint.
Honestly, it’s been well over a decade since they called it quits, yet here we are in 2026, still talking about them. Why? Because their relationship defined an era of music and fashion that people are now calling "Indie Sleaze." It was a time when the lead singer of the Arctic Monkeys and the ultimate "It Girl" seemed like they were inventing a new kind of modern romance in real-time.
The Beginning: 2007 and the Q Awards
They first crossed paths around the summer of 2007. The Arctic Monkeys were basically the biggest band in the world at that point, fresh off the success of Favourite Worst Nightmare. Alexa was the rising star of MTV, known for her quick wit and that "twee-meets-rock" style that every girl in East London was trying to copy.
They were spotted together at the Q Awards in October 2007. It wasn't long before they became a fixture of the UK indie scene.
For four years, they were inseparable. They moved to New York together when Alexa got her own talk show, It’s On with Alexa Chung. They lived in a flat in Brooklyn, then the East Village. They were the couple everyone wanted to be—young, successful, and genuinely into each other.
The Infamous Love Letter
You can’t talk about Alex Turner and Alexa Chung without mentioning the letter. You know the one. It was reportedly found on a bar floor and eventually leaked onto the internet, becoming the stuff of legend.
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"My mouth hasn't shut up about you since you kissed it. The idea that you may kiss it again is stuck in my brain..."
It’s basically the indie rock version of a Shakespearean sonnet. Whether it was actually "found" or just leaked by a "friend" doesn't really matter now. It cemented Alex Turner as a romantic poet and made their relationship feel like something out of a movie.
Why Did They Actually Break Up?
In July 2011, the news hit. It was over.
A spokesperson for Alexa confirmed the split, calling it "completely amicable." But fans wanted more. We always do. The reality was much more mundane—and relatable—than the tabloid rumors suggested.
Basically, it came down to distance and schedules.
- The New York Move: While they moved to the States together, their careers started pulling them in opposite directions.
- The "Road" Factor: Alex was constantly touring with the Arctic Monkeys for Suck It and See.
- Career Peaks: Alexa was filming in the US while Alex was often back in the UK or in LA recording.
Reports from Glastonbury 2011 suggested things were already icy. Sources said they barely spoke to each other behind the scenes. Alexa eventually moved her things out of their shared apartment and headed back to London to focus on her next projects.
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The Aftermath and the Music
Fans have spent years dissecting Arctic Monkeys lyrics for hints of Alexa. While Alex is notoriously private, songs like "Fire and the Thud" or "Love is a Laserquest" are often cited as being inspired by the relationship or its ending.
In her 2013 book It, Alexa actually dedicated a chapter to "Al." She described him as her "best friend" and admitted that the breakup was incredibly difficult. She told The Guardian around that time that there was "one big thing" and then several "ill-advised flings" she used to try and get over him. It was raw. It was real.
The 2017 "Reunion" Rumors
In late 2017, the internet nearly imploded. The two were spotted together at a pub near Victoria Park in London during Guy Fawkes celebrations. Witnesses claimed they were "all over each other."
At the time, both were single—Alex had recently split from Taylor Bagley, and Alexa had ended things with Alexander Skarsgård.
But as much as the Tumblr-nostalgia crowd wanted a wedding, it didn't happen. They remained friends, but the romantic spark stayed in the past. It turns out you can actually be friends with an ex without it being a secret plot to get back together. Who knew?
Where Are They Now in 2026?
Fast forward to today. Alex Turner and Alexa Chung have both moved on to very different lives.
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Alexa is currently in a long-term relationship with actor Tom Sturridge. They’ve been together since roughly 2022 and are frequently seen looking very happy (and very stylish) at various events. Her fashion career has transitioned from her own brand to more high-level creative consulting and presenting.
Alex, meanwhile, continues to evolve with the Arctic Monkeys. His style has shifted from the "Teddy Boy" look of the 2010s to something more cinematic and 70s-inspired. He keeps his private life under a heavy lock and key, rarely giving interviews that aren't about the music.
Why We Still Care
The fascination with this couple persists because they represented a specific peak in guitar music culture. They were the last great "Pre-Instagram" couple. Their photos weren't staged for "the grid"; they were grainy paparazzi shots of them walking to a corner store or laughing in the rain at a festival.
There was a genuine mystery to them.
Actionable Takeaways for the Nostalgic
If you’re looking to channel that 2010-era Alex and Alexa energy today, here’s how to do it without getting stuck in the past:
- Invest in Timeless Basics: The "Alexa" look—a Barbour jacket, a trench coat, or a Breton stripe—never actually goes out of style.
- Prioritize Privacy: In an age of oversharing, take a page from Alex Turner's book. You don't have to post every thought or relationship milestone online.
- Friendship After Romance: Their ability to remain "best friends" for years after a high-profile split is a masterclass in maturity. If the foundation is respect, the ending doesn't have to be a fire.
- Music Discovery: Revisit the Humbug and Suck It and See eras. Those albums capture the mood of that time better than any documentary ever could.
The story of Alex Turner and Alexa Chung isn't a tragedy. It’s just a chapter. They were the right people for that specific moment in culture, and even though they aren't together, the "indie sleaze" legacy they built isn't going anywhere.