If you’ve been keeping an eye on British tabloid fodder over the last few years, you’ve probably noticed something different about Cara Delevingne. The high-fashion chaos and high-profile flings that once defined her public image seem to have been replaced by something... quieter. Stabilized. Honestly, it’s mostly thanks to one person: Leah Mason, better known to the music world as Minke.
It wasn't some flashy Hollywood meet-cute. They didn't meet at a Met Gala afterparty or a Chanel fitting. They met at a boarding school in Hampshire called Bedales. They were just kids. Cara actually admitted later she had a "baby gay crush" on her back then, but life went in two completely different directions.
Then came the Alanis Morissette concert.
Twelve years after they last saw each other, they bumped into each other at a show. You can’t make that stuff up. It’s the kind of rom-com setup that usually feels fake, but for Cara Delevingne and Minke, it was the start of a relationship that fundamentally changed the supermodel's life.
The Timeline: From Portofino to Sobriety
We first saw them together in June 2022. The paparazzi caught them kissing in Portofino, Italy. It looked like just another summer fling, but behind the scenes, things were getting heavy.
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2022 was a rough year for Cara. You might remember those distressing airport photos that went viral—the ones where she looked disheveled and shoeless. While the internet speculated, Minke was actually there. She wasn't just a girlfriend; she was the person setting boundaries.
A Different Kind of Love
In a vulnerable interview with Vogue, Cara explained that Minke was the first person she’d dated who didn't try to "rescue" her, and more importantly, someone Cara didn't feel the need to rescue either.
- June 2022: First spotted together in Italy.
- January 2023: Papped at a Harry Styles concert in California.
- March 2023: Cara credits her relationship and Minke’s boundaries as a major catalyst for her sobriety journey.
- June 2024: They celebrated their two-year anniversary with some very sappy (and very sweet) Instagram posts.
- June 2025: They were seen riding a convertible at the West Hollywood Pride Parade, still going strong.
Minke is a musician. Her sound is a weirdly cool mix of blues and pop. She’s not just "the girlfriend." She’s an artist who has struggled with the same industry pressures Cara has, which is probably why they click. Leah once mentioned in an interview with Autostraddle that she struggled with internalized homophobia early in her career, wanting to be known for the music rather than being "the queer artist."
Why This Relationship Actually Lasts
Most celeb couples burn out in six months. Cara Delevingne and Minke are nearing their four-year mark. Why?
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Boundaries.
Cara has been open about the fact that Minke doesn't put up with her "crap." When Cara was hitting rock bottom with substance abuse, Minke didn't just play the role of the supportive bystander. She made it clear that she wouldn't stick around if things didn't change. That kind of tough love is rare in celebrity circles where everyone is usually a "yes man."
They also share a history. Going to the same school means they share a cultural shorthand. They know the same people from "home" in England. That groundedness is a massive contrast to the "model life" Cara lived in her twenties.
Actionable Takeaways from Their Journey
It’s easy to look at famous people and think their lives have nothing to do with ours, but the way they’ve handled their relationship offers a few real-world lessons:
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- Reconnecting is powerful. Sometimes the person you need is someone you already knew in a different chapter of your life. Don't be afraid to reach out to old connections.
- Sobriety requires a support system, not a savior. Minke didn't "fix" Cara; she provided the stable environment and the boundaries that allowed Cara to fix herself.
- Privacy is a choice. Even though they are public figures, they don't post every single day. They save the big milestones for the public and keep the "messy" parts for themselves.
- Accepting your identity changes everything. Both women have spoken about how accepting their sexuality—Cara as pansexual and Minke as queer—brought a level of comfort that made their relationship possible.
The narrative around Cara has shifted from "troubled star" to "sober advocate," and if you listen to her tell it, she’s the happiest she’s ever been. It just goes to show that sometimes, the best thing you can do for your career is to find someone who reminds you who you were before you were famous.
Keep an eye on Minke's music releases. She's been working on new material that's reportedly more open and vulnerable than her previous stuff. If you're looking for a way to support the couple, starting with her Spotify "Favorite Part" or "Maybe 25" is a good bet.
Check your local listings if you're in London or New York, as Cara has been leaning more into theater lately, specifically her run in Cabaret. Watching her perform now, sober and grounded, is a completely different experience than her early film work.