It started with a leaked video from an after-party in Los Angeles. Late 2023. At the time, the internet was convinced it was just another "industry" fling, a flash-in-the-pan moment between two stars from completely different worlds. You had Damiano David, the gritty, rock-and-roll frontman of Måneskin, and Dove Cameron, the former Disney darling who had spent years carefully rebuilding her image as a moody pop powerhouse.
Fast forward to January 2026, and the narrative has shifted entirely. They aren't just "linked" anymore. They are engaged.
On January 3, 2026, Dove basically broke the internet—or at least the corner of it that cares about high-fashion power couples—by posting a carousel with the caption: "my favourite part of being alive 💍 happy new year." It was the confirmation fans had been waiting for since those first paparazzi shots in Sydney back in October. Honestly, the way these two have handled their public profile is a masterclass in modern celebrity dating: enough mystery to keep us interested, but enough sincerity to make it feel real.
The 2023 VMAs: The Meeting That Didn't "Click" Immediately
There’s this misconception that it was love at first sight. It wasn't. Dove has been pretty vocal about the fact that they actually crossed paths much earlier, specifically at the 2022 VMAs. They were both up for Best New Artist. She won. He was there with the band.
"We didn't register each other at all in that way," she told Cosmopolitan later. They were in different headspace. Damiano was in a long-term relationship with Giorgia Soleri at the time, and Dove was still processing a lot of personal growth after her public split from Thomas Doherty.
But by the 2023 VMAs? Everything changed.
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Damiano reportedly approached her and mentioned that Måneskin was starting their world tour at Madison Square Garden. He invited her to the show. It was innocent. Sorta. She went to the concert in September, was spotted in the greenroom, and then the rumors began to snowball. By November, they were seen together in Brazil and then kissing on Bondi Beach in Australia. That’s when the "low-key" phase officially died.
Why Damiano David and Dove Cameron Actually Work
On paper, they shouldn't fit. He’s an Italian rock star known for leather, eyeliner, and a certain chaotic energy on stage. She’s an Emmy-winning actress and singer with a curated, ethereal aesthetic. But if you look at their 2025 public appearances—like the Tom Ford show in Paris or the Vanity Fair Oscar party—the "swag gap" is non-existent.
They match. Not in a "we wear the same outfit" way, but in a shared understanding of their own intensity.
- The "Teddy Bear" Factor: Dove famously described Damiano as a "1950s gentleman, angel, teddy bear." That’s a far cry from the "bad boy" persona the media likes to pin on him.
- Creative Respect: In a 2025 interview with PEOPLE, Damiano mentioned they play each other’s music constantly. He even admitted he thought a collaboration would be "cheesy" early on, but they've clearly moved past that. Her song "Whatever You Like" (released in late 2025) is widely accepted as a tribute to their relationship.
- The Ring and the Inscription: When the engagement was finally "hard-launched" this month, jeweler Alessandro Bernini revealed the rings were custom Italian creations. Damiano’s ring says “The best part of being alive,” while Dove’s says “My favourite part of being alive.” It’s cheesy. It’s sentimental. And for two people who have dealt with heavy public scrutiny, it feels genuinely grounded.
Addressing the Rumors: The "Overlap" Drama
You can't talk about Damiano David and Dove Cameron without mentioning the drama that trailed them in early 2024. When Damiano and his ex, Giorgia, broke up, a video of him kissing someone else surfaced almost immediately. People were quick to scream "cheating."
However, Giorgia herself cleared the air, stating their relationship had been open and that they had broken up days before the video went viral. By the time Dove entered the picture seriously, Damiano was single, though the timing was admittedly tight. Fans often forget that celebrity relationships often "end" months before the public gets the memo. Dove and Damiano took it slow at first—she described it as a "cautious manner"—only making their red carpet debut in February 2024 at Clive Davis’ Pre-Grammy Gala.
The 2026 Engagement: What’s Next?
So, what does this mean for the future? We are currently seeing a shift from "dating" to "family."
Dove’s mother, Bonnie Wallace, recently posted her own celebration of the engagement, calling Damiano a "perfect, loving partner." When the family gets involved on Instagram, you know it’s the real deal. They even spent New Year’s 2026 in Tuscany, leaning into Damiano's Italian roots.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Followers:
If you’re following this couple's journey, keep an eye on these three areas as 2026 progresses:
- The Debut Album: Dove has been teasing her full-length solo album for what feels like forever. With five singles released in 2025, the engagement might provide the final creative spark she needs to drop the full project.
- Solo Projects for Damiano: Damiano released his solo debut FUNNY little FEARS in May 2025. Expect to see him balancing Måneskin's schedule with more solo ventures that might even feature Dove in the visuals.
- The "Rocky Horror" Influence: They recently did a couple's costume as Frank-N-Furter and Riff Raff. With a new Rocky Horror production hitting Broadway in 2026, don't be surprised if Dove—a theater vet—is linked to a major stage role soon.
The biggest lesson here is that public perception is rarely reality. Damiano isn't the "wild" rocker he appears to be, and Dove isn't the "polished" starlet. They're just two musicians who found a weird, matching rhythm in the middle of a global spotlight.
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Monitor their official socials for wedding dates, but for now, it’s clear they are focusing on the "gentleman, angel, teddy bear" era of their lives.
Next Steps: You can follow Dove's "Summer Diaries" visualizers on YouTube to see more candid footage of the couple, or check out Damiano's 2025 solo album to hear how his songwriting has evolved during their relationship.