If you were anywhere near the 5 Seconds of Summer fandom around 2015, you know the name. It was a chaotic era. You couldn't refresh Tumblr without seeing a new "exposing" thread or a grainy paparazzi shot of Luke Hemmings and his then-girlfriend, Arzaylea Rodriguez. It wasn't just a celebrity relationship; it was a full-blown cultural moment for a specific generation of internet users.
Honestly, it’s been years, but people still talk about it. Why? Because it felt like the first time the "relatable" boys of 5SOS stepped into the high-glamour, high-drama world of LA socialites. It changed the vibe of the fandom forever.
How it all started at a Jenner party
The meet-cute wasn't exactly typical for a boy from the Sydney suburbs. Luke and Arzaylea met at Kylie Jenner’s 18th birthday party in August 2015.
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Arzaylea wasn't just some random guest. Her dad was business partners with Tyga (who was dating Kylie at the time) in a headphone company. Luke was the lead singer of one of the biggest bands in the world. He approached her, they clicked, and suddenly, the "punk noodle boy" was dating a girl who ran in the Kardashian-adjacent circles.
By September, the internet had figured it out. Fans tracked her down on Instagram, and the backlash was immediate. It was brutal. People didn't just dislike her; they were obsessed with proving she was "wrong" for him.
The "Larzaylea" era was pure chaos
For two years, the couple was inseparable, but the drama was constant. Arzaylea was often seen on tour with the band, which didn't sit well with everyone. There were rumors of tension between her and the other band members—Michael, Calum, and Ashton.
One of the biggest flashpoints was the infamous Rolling Stone article in 2015. The band came across as "frat boys," and many fans blamed the new LA lifestyle for the shift in their image. Arzaylea was often the scapegoat for any change in Luke’s behavior.
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It wasn't all one-sided, though. Arzaylea frequently clapped back at fans on Twitter and Instagram. She wasn't the "quiet girlfriend" type. She stood her ground, which arguably made the fire burn even hotter.
Why the breakup was so messy
The end came in May 2017. It wasn't a "we've decided to remain friends" kind of split. It was a digital wildfire.
- The Blackbear Incident: Rumors swirled that Arzaylea had cheated on Luke with the singer Blackbear during Coachella.
- The Exposing Rants: After the breakup, Arzaylea went on an Instagram tear. She accused Luke of cheating on her, using substances, and hiring escorts.
- The Leaks: Even a year after they split, she was still in the headlines for allegedly leaking snippets of unreleased 5SOS music (like "Want You Back") on her Instagram stories.
It was toxic. There’s really no other way to put it.
Where are they now? (2026 Update)
A lot of time has passed, and both have moved into completely different lives. The contrast is actually pretty wild when you look at it.
Luke Hemmings is in a very different place. He started dating Sierra Deaton in 2018, and it was the total opposite of his previous relationship. It was quiet, supportive, and musical. They got engaged in 2021 and eventually married. In a huge milestone, Luke and Sierra welcomed a daughter in August 2025. He’s transitioned from the "heartthrob" of a boy band to a respected solo artist and a family man.
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Arzaylea has mostly stepped out of the 5SOS-related spotlight. She continues to work as an influencer and remains a fixture in the LA social scene, but the days of fandom wars seem to be behind her.
Lessons from the Arzaylea and Luke Hemmings era
Looking back, the whole situation was a masterclass in how parasocial relationships can turn sour. Fans felt protective of Luke, while Arzaylea felt dehumanized by a million strangers.
If you're still looking for "tea" on this, the reality is that both parties have likely said all they’re going to say. Luke’s music, especially his solo work like When Facing the Things We Turn Away From, touches on the "dark years" of his early 20s, which many interpret as his way of processing that era without naming names.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Observers
If you're looking into celebrity history or navigating a modern fandom, here's the best way to handle the "lore":
- Check the Timeline: Most "leaked" info from that era was debunked or came from biased sources. Stick to confirmed dates and statements.
- Respect the Growth: People change a lot between 19 and 29. Judging current-day Luke or Arzaylea based on 2015 Tumblr posts is usually a dead end.
- Prioritize Privacy: The reason Luke is so much more private now is likely a direct result of the 2015-2017 fallout. Support the boundaries artists set for their families.
The "Larzaylea" era serves as a reminder that the "good old days" of a fandom often look a lot messier when you actually pull back the curtain.