Hollywood’s Joe Manganiello had his first public date night with actress Caitlin O’Connor on Saturday at the COAF (Children of Armenia Fund) gala. The 46-year-old actor and the 33-year-old Winning Time actress walked the red carpet together, marking their first official appearance as a couple. Manganiello looked dapper in a dark suit with a blue shirt and tie while O’Connor donned an emerald green dress with a high slit.
The pair showed little PDA as they posed for photographs, with Manganiello wrapping his arm around O’Connor’s waist at one point. Inside the event, Manganiello was honored with the COAF Humanitarian Award. However, despite sharing reposts of himself accepting the award on Instagram, he did not share any photos with O’Connor.
O’Connor, a Los Angeles-born actress and TV host, is best known for her work as an entertainment reporter and her small roles in shows including Two and a Half Men, Ballers, and Days of Our Lives. This marks a significant public appearance and acknowledgment of their growing relationship.
This public date night comes three months after they were first linked together. In September, People reported that Manganiello and O’Connor were “casually seeing” each other after meeting at an unofficial after-party for Winning Time. Shortly after, the pair were seen smiling as they left Gold’s Gym in Venice, California.
This comes after Manganiello filed for divorce from Sofia Vergara, 51, in July after seven years of marriage. In the months following their split, both have appeared to move on. In November, Vergara was spotted with Dr. Justin Saliman, and a source told ET that things were going great with Vergara and Dr. Saliman.
“They like each other a lot, but Sofia is also taking things slow,” the source said. “Sofia and Justin have a lot of fun together, and Sofia always keeps everyone around her laughing and in positive spirits. Justin likes that she takes pride in keeping her personal life private, that she’s up front and honest, and that she can be her genuine self with him.”
This high-profile public appearance marks a new chapter in Manganiello’s love life, and it seems that both he and Vergara are moving forward and finding happiness after their split. The press and public will undoubtedly continue to follow both Manganiello and O’Connor as their relationship develops.
