From Disney Darling to Riverdale Romance: The Evolving Love Life of Cole Sprouse, from Lili Reinhart to Ari Fournier

Cole Sprouse, a familiar face since his days as a child star on Disney Channel, has navigated his romantic life under the public eye, evolving from early crushes to high-profile relationships. His journey through love has often intertwined with his career, captivating fans and media alike. From his formative years in Hollywood to his breakout role on Riverdale, Sprouse's relationships have offered glimpses into his personal growth and preferences.

One of Sprouse's earliest publicly acknowledged connections was with fellow child actor Alyson Stoner. In 2004, while both were young, Sprouse referred to Stoner as his "girlfriend" in an interview. Stoner later recounted on a podcast that Sprouse, then 11, ended their brief relationship, telling her, "It's not going to work out."

Following this, Sprouse was linked to Victoria Justice between August 2004 and 2005. Their romance reportedly blossomed after Justice made an appearance on The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. It was rumored that their on-screen kiss might have been Sprouse's first, adding a layer of youthful innocence to their brief connection.

As Sprouse grew older, his dating life continued to garner attention, albeit with more speculation. Around 2009, rumors circulated about a relationship between Sprouse and Katelyn Pippy, another actor, following their time together on the set of The Suite Life. Details of this alleged fling remained largely private.

During his time at New York University, Sprouse was in a relationship with Bree Morgan from March 2013 to June 2015. While their romance was never officially confirmed by either party, Sprouse frequently shared affectionate photos of the couple on his social media, indicating a significant, albeit private, connection during his college years.

Sprouse's most high-profile relationship began with his Riverdale co-star, Lili Reinhart. The pair, who played on-screen couple Jughead Jones and Betty Cooper, were first linked in July 2017 after being spotted showing public displays of affection at Comic-Con. Their chemistry on and off-screen quickly made them a fan-favorite couple, affectionately dubbed "Bughead" by their followers.

The relationship between Sprouse and Reinhart was often kept private, with Reinhart telling Harper's Bazaar in July 2018 that she was "not OK talking about my relationship." Despite their efforts to maintain privacy, their romance was widely covered by entertainment news. Sprouse, an avid photographer, often used Reinhart as his muse, sharing artistic photos of her on his Instagram.

After nearly three years of dating on and off, the couple ultimately separated in January 2020, with a more permanent split occurring in March 2020. Sprouse publicly confirmed their breakup via an Instagram post in August 2020, stating, > "Lili and I initially separated in January of this year, deciding to more permanently split in March. What an incredible experience I had, I’ll always feel lucky and cherish that I had the chance to fall in love. I wish her nothing but the utmost love and happiness moving forward."

The breakup was reportedly challenging for both, especially as they continued to work together on Riverdale. In a March 2023 interview on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast, Sprouse candidly discussed the difficulties, admitting, > "It was hard to suspend all the way we felt about each other and it didn’t afford us the luxury of distance to really overcome that. I know we both did quite a bit of damage to each other. We’re good friends now, which is awesome.” He also suggested that he might have ended the relationship earlier if he had prioritized his own needs more.

Following his split from Reinhart, Sprouse was briefly linked to Canadian model Reina Silva in October 2020. The two were photographed together in Vancouver, sparking rumors of a new romance. However, this connection appeared to be short-lived and was never officially confirmed as a full-fledged relationship.

Sprouse's current and most enduring public relationship is with Canadian model Ari Fournier. The couple was first spotted together in February 2021 and made their relationship Instagram official in July 2021. Their bond quickly deepened, and Sprouse has spoken openly about the positive impact Fournier has had on his life.

In a March 2023 appearance on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast, Sprouse gushed about Fournier, calling her his "best friend" and praising their deep compatibility. He credited her with helping him achieve sobriety and stated, > "As a consequence of our relationship, my life has just improved. I’ve gotten sober. I’ve questioned my existence like I never had before.”

Their relationship continues to thrive, with Sprouse frequently expressing his admiration for Fournier. In an April 2024 interview with Kelly Ripa, he reflected on their connection, noting, > "When real compatibility comes into your life, it makes almost everything in the past feel like a lesson or a stepping stone to what you’ve arrived to now, and I think this is the first time in my life...where I’ve been so wholly and completely able to be myself in a relationship, and I think that is a tremendous testament to her [Fournier] and the way she carries herself.” He also playfully acknowledged being the "last unmarried Sprouse" after his twin brother Dylan's marriage, but emphasized that Fournier has never pressured him regarding marriage, and they are "taking it one day at a time."

Cole Sprouse's romantic history reflects a journey from youthful celebrity crushes to mature, committed partnerships. Each relationship has contributed to his public narrative, showcasing his evolution both personally and professionally, culminating in a stable and openly cherished partnership with Ari Fournier.