On January 14, Oscar-winning actor and filmmaker Sean Penn was seen in a rare public outing with his longtime girlfriend, Valeria Nicov, a 30-year-old model and actress. The couple’s appearance in Malibu marked a notable moment in their relationship, bringing attention to the pairing that has intrigued fans and media alike.
The pair were spotted holding hands after a lunch date in Santa Monica, California, where they were also seen shopping together, according to reports from E! Online and Just Jared. Sean Penn, aged 65, dressed casually in a white button-down shirt paired with a navy jacket, gray pants, and white sneakers. Nicov chose an all-black outfit, wearing joggers, a peacoat, a high-neck top, sunglasses, a shoulder bag, and tennis shoes.
This public appearance occurred just three days after Penn attended the 83rd Golden Globe Awards alone at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Although he did not win the Best Supporting Actor award for his role in One Battle After Another, Penn appeared to enjoy the event, laughing along with host Nikki Glaser’s humorous remarks about him.
The Beginnings and Development of Sean Penn and Valeria Nicov’s Relationship
Sean Penn’s romance with Valeria Nicov first caught public attention when the couple was photographed sharing intimate moments on the streets of Madrid, Spain, in September 2024. Those images, circulated by Page Six, sparked conversations about their 35-year age difference and the timeline of their relationship.
The following month, they were together at Los Angeles International Airport, and by November, they had made their debut as a couple on the red carpet during the 21st Marrakech International Film Festival. This event featured a ceremony tribute honoring Penn’s career.
Their relationship surprised many, given that in a June 2024 interview with The New York Times, Penn had expressed a desire for freedom in love. He said,
“I’m just free. If I’m going to be in a relationship, I’m still going to be free, or I’m not going to be in it, and I’m not going to be hurting. I don’t sense I’ll have my heart broken by romance again.”
—Sean Penn, Actor and Filmmaker
This statement followed the end of his year-long romance with Ukrainian actress and influencer Olga Korotyayeva.
Valeria Nicov’s Background and Career Highlights
Valeria Nicov is a Moldovan-born model and actress, according to her Instagram biography. She studied drama at London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and is currently represented by Premium Models in Paris. In addition to her modeling career, she has acted in several projects since 2018, including Lineman Up: Storm Soldiers 3, Tenor, Paris Pigalle, Mike, and Don’t Worry About the Kids.
Nicov is also signed with two talent agencies: Engers Portelli in the UK and Agence Plan A in France. She recently made a cameo appearance as a barkeep in the popular Netflix series Emily in Paris. Her diverse skills include fluency in French, Spanish, Russian, and English, and she enjoys horse riding. Standing 5’10”, she shares lifestyle, fashion, and travel content on her Instagram, which counts over 20,000 followers.
Valeria’s close circle of friends includes French actress-model Camille Razat and multi-talented French artist Josephine de la Baume.
Public Appearances and Sean Penn’s Past Relationships
Although Nicov was absent from the 2026 Golden Globe Awards, she accompanied Penn to last year’s Cannes Film Festival and the Lumiere Film Festival. Over the decades, Penn has been linked to numerous high-profile figures such as Elizabeth McGovern, Demi Moore, Charlize Theron, and Susan Sarandon.
Penn has been married three times—to Madonna, Robin Wright, and most recently Leila George. He shares two children with Wright: Dylan Frances and Hopper Jack, who have both pursued acting careers. Reflecting on his third marriage, Penn told Hollywood Authentic in 2022 that he had made mistakes but remained in love with Leila George.
Sean Penn’s Golden Globes Experience and Host Nikki Glaser’s Jokes
At this year’s Golden Globes, where Penn lost the Best Supporting Actor prize to Stellan Skarsgard, he attended solo yet appeared in good spirits. Much of the levity came from host Nikki Glaser, who poked fun at Penn’s reputation and humanitarian efforts.
“I feel like a lot of actors talk the talk, but Sean Penn will actually go to the places in the world that need help the most, and he will do cocaine there. Sean, I did get permission to do that joke from your two best friends, Charlie Sheen and El Chapo,”
—Nikki Glaser, Comedian and Host
Penn laughed openly at the self-deprecating humor, including when Glaser compared him to a luxury item, saying,
“Everyone in this town is obsessed with looking younger, but Sean Penn is like, ‘What if I slowly morph into a sexy leather handbag?’ It’s hot. It’s good.”
—Nikki Glaser, Comedian and Host
Glaser later shared on The Howard Stern Show that she had additional jokes about Penn that she chose not to include, such as nominations for Best Neck Veins and likening him to
“the defiant last tree standing in a rainforest.”
What This Relationship Means for Sean Penn’s Future
The visible public connection between Sean Penn and Valeria Nicov, marked by their Malibu outing and past appearances, highlights a chapter of personal openness for the actor known for his guarded private life. Their relationship, bridging a 35-year age gap, appears to reflect Penn’s evolving approach to love, balancing freedom with companionship.
As Penn continues to engage in film projects and remain active socially, his partnership with Nicov could influence how fans and the media perceive this phase of his life, adding a new dimension beyond his cinematic legacy and humanitarian work.
sean penn photographed with his girlfriend valeria nicov recently pic.twitter.com/QGfLTosKkt
— 𝓕avs (@favspopculture) January 15, 2026
Sean Penn, 64, alongside his model girlfriend, Valeria Nicov, 30, in Paris. pic.twitter.com/AdI1Ww24RB
— Emir Han (@RealEmirHan) April 9, 2025
