You’ve probably seen the photos by now. Grainy, film-style shots of two young people looking ridiculously cool on a boat in Thailand or walking a red carpet in New York with effortless confidence. It’s Sam Nivola and Iris Apatow, and honestly, they’re becoming the blueprint for how to handle fame when you’ve literally grown up in the middle of it.
Most celebrity couples feel like they’re curated by a PR team in a windowless boardroom. This feels different. It feels like two people who actually like each other and, surprisingly, share a very specific, weird life experience.
Why Everyone Is Obsessed With Sam Nivola and Iris Apatow
Let’s get the "nepo baby" conversation out of the way. They know. You know. Everyone knows. Sam is the son of Alessandro Nivola and Emily Mortimer. Iris is the daughter of Judd Apatow and Leslie Mann. In January 2025, Sam even joked with British Vogue about a "secret cabal of nepo kids who hang out in black robes."
That self-awareness is exactly why they’re catching on. They aren't trying to hide their background; they're just trying to do the work. And the work is actually good.
The White Lotus Connection
While filming The White Lotus Season 3 in Thailand, Sam spent months playing Lochlan Ratliff. It was a massive breakout role for him. But being 10,000 miles away from home is lonely. Iris reportedly stayed with him on set for several months. Sam told People at the February 2025 premiere that her presence was a "lifesaver."
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Imagine being in your early 20s, filming a career-defining show in a tropical paradise, and having your partner there to keep you grounded. It’s basically the plot of a movie their parents would have produced in the early 2000s.
The Timeline: How It All Started
They didn't just announce it with a press release. It was a slow burn of Instagram dumps and "is that who I think it is?" comments.
- April 2024: Sam posts photos from Thailand. Iris is right there with the White Lotus cast, looking like she’s already part of the family.
- May 2024: Iris posts a photo of her kissing Sam’s cheek. The caption? "Girls on the town." (Classic Iris humor).
- October 2024: The "hard" launch. They showed up hand-in-hand for the Burberry flagship reopening in NYC. No more guessing.
- Early 2025: They’re officially living together in an apartment in the East Village. They even have a cat named Kumo.
What Makes Them Different?
Honestly, it’s the lack of drama. Iris was previously in a very public relationship with Ryder Robinson (Kate Hudson’s son), but since 2024, things with Sam have seemed incredibly steady.
They’re also busy. Like, really busy.
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Iris just joined the cast of Hulu’s Tell Me Lies for Season 3, playing a freshman named Amanda. She’s also been cast in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, slated for late 2026. Meanwhile, Sam is coming off the success of The Perfect Couple and The White Lotus.
They are both at this weird, high-pressure pivot point in their careers. Sam even admitted that his parents originally didn't want him to be an actor. He actually dropped out of Columbia University to pursue it. That’s a big move. It shows he’s not just coasting on a last name—he’s taking a massive risk.
The "Parental Approval" Factor
You know it’s serious when the parents start commenting on Instagram. Leslie Mann is notorious for dropping heart emojis on Sam’s posts. Alessandro Nivola has talked about how he’s finally "at peace" with Sam’s career choice now that he sees how happy—and successful—he is.
The Reality of Dating in the Industry
Sam recently shared a pretty insightful lesson he learned from his parents’ 20-plus-year marriage. He told reporters that the distance involved in acting is a "litmus test."
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"If you spend distance apart and you find that it’s worth it, then you know you’re really in love," he said. Given that they managed to survive a months-long shoot in Thailand and are now cohabitating in New York, it seems like they’ve passed the test.
They aren't trying to be "The Next Big Thing." They just happen to be two talented actors who found someone who understands exactly what it’s like to have your family dinners discussed on Reddit.
What to Watch Next
If you want to see why these two are the current "It" couple, you have to check out their recent work. It explains why they’re more than just famous names.
- Watch Sam in: The White Lotus Season 3. His portrayal of the "insecure" Lochlan is a masterclass in nuance. Also, check out The Perfect Couple on Netflix.
- Watch Iris in: Tell Me Lies Season 3 on Hulu. It’s her most "adult" role yet. And keep an eye out for her in the new Hunger Games prequel.
The best way to keep up with them isn't through tabloids—it’s through their work. They’re both proving that while their names might have opened the door, their talent is what’s keeping them in the room. If you’re following their journey, pay attention to the indie projects they’re picking; both have expressed interest in writing and producing, following in their parents' footsteps but with a very modern, New York edge.
Stay tuned for the 2026 awards season—there's a high chance you'll see them both on the ballot.