Kevork Djansezian/Getty ImagesSure, all eyes may have been on Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio's every interaction for the last 19 years three months, but there was a real romance not so subtly playing out during awards season that satisfies both our insatiable need to ogle celebrity couples and our obsession with the late '90s and early '00s.
In case you hadn't noticed because she wasn't being all ridiculous about it, Brie Larson—who took home her first Oscar, SAG Award, Golden Globe, BAFTA and Independent Spirit Award this year for her captivating performance in Room—had the same darling guy to thank during the ceremony and then cuddle with during the afterparties.
So who is this handsome chap who ended up on the arm of the belle of all the balls this year and has been on the receiving end of so many vocal displays of affection?
Meet Alex Greenwald! Or rather...So we meet again, Alex Greenwald!
Larson's musician boyfriend, who she's been dating since at least late 2013, was the lead singer of Phantom Planet—purveyor of the epic theme song from The O.C., "California."
So, we are now convinced that Jason Schwartzman—Phantom Planet guitarist, indie actor extraordinaire and a co-star of Larson's in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World—brought them together, but it was a ridonculous amount of chemistry that ensured they were made for each other.
Moreover, Larson may be a thesp to be reckoned with, but she also has a history in pop music, having released the teen-friendly album Finally Out of P.E. in 2005 and teamed with Metric to sing "Black Sheep" for Scott Pilgrim. So she and Greenwald have their musicality in common as well. And, Greenwald knows his way around an indie film set, having tortured Jake Gyllenhaal's title character as a jerk-off bully in Donnie Darko.
While he was a noticeable awards season fixture this year, Larson's first Greenwald shout-out on record dates back to the 2013 Gotham Independent Film Awards when she won Best Actress for Short Term 12.
"This may be the only time I accept an award, so I'm going to try and get everybody in...Thank you and 'Hi!' What the hell?! I'm sorry, I don't know if I can say that...And I'd like to thank my boyfriend, Alex Greenwald, for making me pasta and taking care of our puppy while I made this movie."
He sounded like a keeper even then, and little did Larson know, obviously, that she'd have so many more opportunities to say his name in public.
Fast-forward to the 2016 Golden Globes in January, when awards season kicked into high gear with what would be Larson's ultimate sweep of the major awards just getting underway.
"I am so incredibly grateful," the 26-year-old acting force to be reckoned with said while accepting her Golden Globe. "Thank you to my friends; my family, who supported me. Thank you to A24 for taking this all the way. And thank you, Alex, my love."
And then he mouthed "I love you" from the audience.
(And it sort of looked like he was composing a song in his head at the same time.)
There Greenwald was at the Independent Spirit Awards again on Saturday, giving his triumphant leading lady a hug as she made her way to the stage to collect yet another honor for Room.
"To my incredible boyfriend, Alex," she arrived at that inevitable part of her speech, when from the audience he actually shouted, "I love you!" "I love you!" she fired back happily.
Let's just take a moment to thank the Independent Spirit Awards for fostering an environment in which the previously polite, silenced I-love-yous can be shouted for the world to hear!
Then it was on to the Oscars last night, where Larson's first order of business upon hearing her name called was to receive a kiss from Greenwald—though a hug from 9-year-old Jacob Tremblay, who played her son in the emotionally devastating Room, wasn't far behind!
"To my real partner, Alex Greenwald—I love you, the whole thing!" she gushed during her Oscars speech.
P.S. The only reason none of this occurred at the BAFTAs: They were not there. The ceremony was held on Valentine's Day, so presumably Larson and Greenwald were incredibly busy that day.
Until next time, you two.