Hollywood and Vine. That is where it started. Most people assume these high-profile couples meet at some swanky, invite-only gala in the Hollywood Hills, but Danny Amendola and Olivia Culpo literally just bumped into each other on a street corner in 2016. It sounds like the plot of a rom-com. For a while, it looked like one, too.
But if you followed the headlines back then, you know it didn't end with a "happily ever after." It ended with a deleted Instagram rant that still lives in the halls of internet infamy.
Honestly, looking back at the saga of Danny Amendola and Olivia Culpo feels like peering into a time capsule of 2010s celebrity culture. It was a collision of two very different worlds: the grit of the NFL and the "fishbowl" of influencer stardom. Today, Olivia is married to 49ers superstar Christian McCaffrey—they actually just welcomed their daughter, Colette Annalise, in 2025—and Danny has moved into the coaching ranks. But the ghost of their breakup still pops up whenever someone talks about "the cost of fame."
The "Fishbowl" vs. The Gridiron
Why did they break up? If you ask Danny, he'd tell you it was the "lifestyle."
In 2019, after the pair had split and reconciled more times than we could count, Danny took to Instagram to drop a massive truth bomb (and a lot of shade). He basically said he couldn't handle the "fishbowl lifestyle." To him, social media was fake and toxic. To Olivia, it was her career.
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Think about it. Danny was a guy who won two Super Bowls with the New England Patriots. He played for "respect." Olivia, on the other hand, was a former Miss Universe who built a multi-million dollar brand by sharing her life. That's a fundamental mismatch.
"Olivia chooses and wants to be noticed on the internet and in Hollywood to make money... Where as the cost of fame in this world doesn’t appeal to me." — Danny Amendola (via a since-deleted IG post)
He even claimed she would get mad at him for not posting her enough. To a guy who "nails pictures on the inside of the house" to keep them private, having to validate a relationship through a grid post was clearly a bridge too far.
The Coachella Incident and the "Scrawny" DJ
The real explosion happened around Coachella 2019.
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Olivia was spotted getting close with DJ Zedd. Now, if you're Danny Amendola, seeing your ex-girlfriend dancing with a world-famous DJ while you’re trying to move on is probably a gut punch. He didn't take it quietly. He called Zedd a "scrawny little f—" in that same infamous rant.
It was messy. It was unfiltered. And it was exactly what the public loves to devour, even if it was pretty cringe-worthy for Danny in hindsight. Even his former teammate Julian Edelman had to step in, commenting "Get off Instagram please thanks." When your best friend has to tell you to put the phone down in front of millions of people, you know you've gone off the deep end.
The Breaking Points
It wasn't just about Instagram, though. There were real-world issues.
- The Move to Miami: When Danny signed with the Miami Dolphins in 2018, Olivia didn't want to move. Distance is a relationship killer, even for people with private jets.
- The Bianca Peters Photos: While Olivia was in Australia for a Sports Illustrated shoot, photos surfaced of Danny getting "cozy" on a beach with sports reporter Bianca Peters. Olivia later said that day in Australia was one of her hardest, landing to news that "rocked her world."
- The SI Swimsuit Controversy: Reports at the time suggested Danny wasn't thrilled with Olivia's choice to pose for Sports Illustrated. He reportedly struggled with the "demanding lifestyle" and the choices she was making to advance her career.
Where They Are Now (2026 Update)
Fast forward to today, and the landscape has shifted entirely.
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Olivia Culpo found her match in Christian McCaffrey. They tied the knot in a gorgeous Rhode Island ceremony in June 2024. It’s funny—Christian is also a high-profile NFL star, but he seems to navigate Olivia’s world with way more ease. He even described her as "inspiring" in interviews. They’ve managed to find a balance between her public brand and his private life that Danny just couldn't grasp. With the birth of their daughter in 2025, Olivia's "fishbowl" is now a family-focused one.
As for Danny, he retired from the NFL in 2021 after a final stint with the Houston Texans. He’s been leaning into coaching lately, spending time as an assistant for the Las Vegas Raiders. He seems to have found peace away from the paparazzi. He’s still private, still focused on "respect," and likely much happier without the pressure of a Hollywood romance.
Lessons from the Drama
If there's any takeaway from the Danny Amendola and Olivia Culpo era, it's that compatibility isn't just about liking the same movies or "bumping into each other" on a street corner. It’s about how you view the world.
If one person wants to live out loud and the other wants to live behind closed doors, the friction will eventually burn the house down.
Next Steps for Readers:
- Audit your digital boundaries: If you're in a relationship, have a real conversation about what stays private and what goes public. Most "fishbowl" fights start because of unsaid expectations.
- Focus on the "Why": Danny played for respect; Olivia worked for influence. Understanding your partner's core motivation can save you years of resentment.
- Follow the "Edelman Rule": If you’re tempted to post a rant about an ex, call a friend first. If they tell you to "get off Instagram," listen to them.