Channing Tatum got way more than a leading role out of his latest movie: He found burning love.
The She’s the Man actor revealed that mutual friend Riley Keough—his costar in 2017’s Logan Lucky—facilitated the pairing with his now-fiancé Zoë Kravitz for the movie Blink Twice (formerly called Pussy Island).
“I remember Riley Keough texted me,” Channing exclusively told E! News correspondent Will Marfuggi. “She was like, ‘Hey, I have a friend that wants to send you something. Do you know Zoë Kravitz? I'm going to give you her number.’”
And Channing was already a fan of the Big Little Lies actress long before Elvis Presley’s granddaughter connected them over Blink Twice, which served as the couple’s meet cute.
“We both were going out for a movie that I ended up doing called A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints,” he shared of the 2006 film. “Then she was in Jodie Foster's [2007 film The Brave One]. That's the first time I ever saw her and that was right around the same time.”
As Channing recalls, seeing Zoë’s work only emphasized his enthusiasm.
“She's one of the cooler people that I've ever watched,” he said in the interview, airing Aug. 14 at 11 p.m. on E!. “I'd been tracking her forever and I'd never met her before.”
So, when Riley finally connected them over a decade later, working together was definitely a priority for the 21 Jump Street actor, who shares daughter Everly, 10, with ex Jenna Dewan.
“The very first time we met, it was after I read this thing that she sent me called Pussy Island,” he continued. “I was like, ‘I guess I'm definitely reading this.’”
And the Magic Mike actor knows he got more than just a great role from his involvement with Zoë’s directorial debut, which premieres in theaters Aug. 23.
“A lifetime partner,” he told E! News. “[For] a lifetime creative journey.”
Catch more of his interview on E! News Aug. 14, and read on to see a timeline of Channing and Zoë's love story.
Collaborators: June 2021
In a June 2021 interview with Deadline, Channing Tatum shared how honored he was that Zoë Kravitz thought to include him in her directorial debut, Pussy Island, later renamed Blink Twice.
Romance Rumors: August 2021
Amid rumblings of a romance, Tatum and Kravitz appeared to confirm their relationship status in August 2021 with a sweet bike ride around New York City. "There's more than a friendship going on with Channing and Zoe," a source told E! News at the time. "They are spending a lot of time together and having fun. They are more than just close friends or co-stars. Their relationship has grown into more."
Out and About: August 2021
Sightings of the pair became more frequent, and they were spotted again in August enjoying a walk after having lunch in New York.
Met Gala Date Night: September 2021
Though they initially posed separately on the 2021 Met Gala red carpet, the duo was photographed exiting the star-studded event together. Tatum even shared a photo with Kravitz on his Instagram Story from the after-party.
First Halloween: October 2021
For their first Halloween together, the pair dressed up as Robert De Niro and Jodie Foster's characters from the film Taxi Driver.
A "Wonderful" Romance: November 2022
During a chat with GQ, Kravitz said of Tatum, "He's just a wonderful human. He makes me laugh and we both really love art and talking about art and the exploration of why we do what we do. We love to watch a film and break it down and talk about it and challenge each other."
Couples Costume: October 2023
They dressed up as Rosemary Woodhouse and her baby from Rosemary's Baby for Kendall Jenner's 2023 Halloween Party in L.A.
Engaged: October 2023
After over two years of dating, multiple outlets confirmed that Kravitz and Tatum were engaged to be married.
Family Affair: March 2024
Channing showed his support for the Kravitz fam by joining Zoe and her dad Lenny Kravitz at his Hollywood Walk of Fame Star Ceremony.
Big Premiere: August 2024
They looked smitten at the Los Angeles premiere of their movie collaboration, Blink Twice.
Glammed Up: August 2024
The pair continued their press tour together at the European premiere of Blink Twice in London.
Split: October 2024
Tatum and Kravitz broke up after three years together, multiple outlets reported in October 2024.