Austin Butler and Emily Ratajkowski were recently observed together at the Waverly Inn, a well-known dining spot in New York City, demonstrating a developing friendship. The meeting, which took place on September 10, highlights the connection between the two 34-year-olds, raising curiosity about their relationship and shared backgrounds in entertainment.
Shared Nickelodeon Roots and Present Careers
Both Butler and Ratajkowski have early acting experiences linked to the Nickelodeon series iCarly. Butler appeared in an episode in 2007, while Ratajkowski followed with a cameo two years later. The pair was photographed sitting side-by-side in a booth, with Ratajkowski wearing a strapless black outfit and Butler in a white T-shirt, signaling a casual but amicable gathering.
Ratajkowski described her time on iCarly during a recent Elle UK interview:
“I was on, like, three episodes,”
she said.
“They are, kind of, fun, It was crazy [being on] Nickelodeon. It was my breakout role, I guess.”
She further reflected,
“It was just a crazy experience being with a bunch of child actors, like, famously. … I was in public high school, so it was a real experience to all of sudden meet people my age who had grown up on set.”
Since then, Ratajkowski has expanded her acting portfolio with roles in films such as We Are Your Friends, Easy, Cruise, I Feel Pretty, and Lying and Stealing, as well as starring in Netflix’s Too Much, released earlier this year.
Austin Butler’s Career Trajectory from Television to Oscar Nod
Austin Butler built his early career with appearances on several Nickelodeon and Disney Channel sitcoms before earning leading roles on Freeform’s Switched at Birth and The CW’s The Carrie Diaries. His portrayal of Elvis Presley in the 2023 biopic marked a major milestone, securing an Academy Award nomination.
Reflecting on the nomination, Butler shared with The Los Angeles Times:
“There’s certain moments where it feels really strange to celebrate and a moment like this right now is one of those things,”
he explained.
“As a young actor, I always saw off in the distance as this thing that almost seemed unattainable. And so, to suddenly hear my name listed amongst these other amazing actors as recognized by the Academy, it’s so surreal to me.”
Although he did not win the Oscar, losing to Brendan Fraser, Butler’s career momentum continues with projects like Dune, Caught Stealing, and The Bikeriders.
Insights into Butler’s Approach to Acting
Butler shared deeper reflections on his craft in a profile with Men’s Health, explaining the emotional process involved:
“For a long time, I felt that it had to be a tortured process and I would come out the other side broken,”
he said.
“Rather than just putting parts of yourself away and trying to pretend that they don’t exist, it’s like going into the gross bits of yourself — going into the bits that you don’t want to look at—and finding a way of integrating that into the whole.”
The Relevance of Their Meeting and Future Prospects
The recent sighting of Austin Butler and Emily Ratajkowski dining together at NYC’s Waverly Inn offers a glimpse into a personal connection between two actors with overlapping early careers and flourishing present-day profiles. Their evolving friendship may lead to further collaborations or public appearances, given their shared industry experiences. For now, this encounter adds subtle intrigue to both stars’ ongoing journeys in the entertainment world.
