It’s one of those Hollywood stories that feels like it was written by a room of comedy writers, mostly because it actually was. If you’re wondering how did Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost meet, the short answer is a classic: they met at work. But since their "office" was Studio 8H at 30 Rock, it wasn't exactly a water-cooler moment.
They didn't just lock eyes and fall in love instantly. Honestly, it took about eleven years for the sparks to actually turn into a fire. It's a weirdly long game for a celebrity couple, especially when one is a Marvel superhero and the other is a guy who gets paid to tell jokes about the news.
The First Hello: 2006 vs. 2010
There’s actually a bit of a disagreement between the two of them about when they truly met. Colin remembers it vividly. Scarlett? Not so much.
Colin traces the origin back to January 2006. Scarlett was hosting Saturday Night Live for the very first time. He was a fresh-faced, 23-year-old writer in his first year at the show. In his memoir, A Very Punchable Face, he recalls her being beautiful, smart, and way more sophisticated than he was at the time. He was basically just a kid from Staten Island trying not to get fired.
Scarlett’s memory is a little different. She doesn’t really "count" 2006. For her, the first real impression happened in 2010.
The "16 and Pregnant" Sketch
During her third time hosting, she worked on a parody sketch of 16 and Pregnant. Colin had written the segment and was there to help direct it. Scarlett told The Hollywood Reporter that this was her first real memory of him. She remembered him being "very confident" and a bit of a "brainiac," which, let's be real, is exactly the vibe he still gives off on Weekend Update.
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Why It Took a Decade to Start Dating
You’ve got to remember that between 2006 and 2017, a lot happened. Scarlett was busy becoming the highest-paid actress in the world and, well, being married. Twice.
- 2008–2011: Married to Ryan Reynolds.
- 2014–2017: Married to Romain Dauriac.
Colin, meanwhile, was climbing the ranks at SNL, eventually becoming the head writer and the co-anchor of Weekend Update. They were in two completely different orbits that just happened to cross every few years when she returned to host.
It wasn't until May 2017—right after Scarlett had filed for divorce from Dauriac—that things finally shifted. She was back at SNL for a special guest appearance in the season finale. Legend has it (and by legend, I mean Page Six) that they were spotted "canoodling" at the after-party.
The SNL Romance Becomes Official
By the time the 2017 Emmy Awards rolled around in September, the rumors were everywhere. Colin basically confirmed it on the red carpet, telling reporters that Scarlett was "pretty cool" and that he felt "very lucky." Talk about an understatement.
They made their public debut as a couple in November 2017 at the American Museum of Natural History Gala. But the real "official" moment for fans was when they shared a sweet, public kiss on the ice during the SNL closing credits in December of that year.
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The Proposal and the Ring
After two years of dating, they got engaged in May 2019. Scarlett described the proposal as a "whole James Bond affair." No hot air balloons, just something very personal and surprising. He did good on the ring, too: an 11-carat, light brown, pear-shaped diamond that’s estimated to be worth around $400,000.
Marriage, Kids, and Joke Swaps
The couple tied the knot in October 2020. It was a low-key, "secret" ceremony at their home in Palisades, New York. In typical fashion, they used the announcement to promote a charity, Meals on Wheels America, which was a classy move.
Fast forward to August 2021, and they welcomed their son, Cosmo. Since then, the relationship has become a frequent target for jokes on SNL, specifically during the annual "Joke Swap" between Colin and Michael Che.
Just recently, in late 2024 and early 2025, the joke swaps reached a new level of "oh my god." Michael Che has a habit of writing the most offensive, career-ending jokes possible for Colin to read blindly on air—often involving Scarlett. During the December 2024 winter finale, Colin had to read a joke about Scarlett's 40th birthday that left her "shaking her head" from the wings.
She later admitted on Today with Jenna & Friends that some of those jokes make her feel like she's in a "To Catch a Predator" segment because of the way the cameras are trained on her for her reaction. She jokes that she "blacks out" during that part of the night.
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What We Can Learn From Their Story
Looking at how Scarlett and Colin ended up together, there are a few "real life" takeaways that actually make sense for the rest of us:
- Timing is everything. If they had tried to date in 2006, it probably would have lasted two weeks. They needed to grow up first.
- Professional respect matters. They were fans of each other’s work long before they were fans of each other’s hearts.
- Humor is a top-tier glue. You can tell by the way they roast each other that they don't take the "celebrity" part of their lives too seriously.
If you’re interested in more than just the gossip, I’d honestly suggest picking up Colin’s book. It gives a way better look at the SNL culture that allowed this relationship to even happen in the first place. You can also follow the Meals on Wheels Instagram, as they still occasionally partner with the couple for holiday campaigns.
The most important thing to remember? Sometimes the person you're going to marry is someone you met ten years ago and just didn't notice yet.
Keep an eye on the next SNL finale—given their history, that's usually where the big life updates tend to leak out first.