Celebrity relationships have always fascinated the public. From red-carpet appearances and romantic vacations to social media posts and unexpected date nights, famous couples rarely escape the attention of photographers and fans.
Some celebrity romances become headlines because two major stars suddenly get together. Others attract attention because of an unexpected pairing, a dramatic reconciliation, or the sheer popularity of the people involved. In 2016, Hollywood and the music industry had plenty of couples keeping fans interested.
From supermodels and chart-topping musicians to television stars and Hollywood actors, these were some of the most talked-about celebrity couples of 2016. Here are 15 of the sexiest celebrity couples of 2016 who captured the public's attention.
15. Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo
Adam Levine had already established himself as one of the music industry's biggest stars through Maroon 5 and his role as a coach on The Voice. His dating life had also attracted plenty of attention over the years.
That changed when he found a serious relationship with model Behati Prinsloo. The Victoria's Secret Angel and Levine quickly became one of entertainment's most recognizable couples. Their relationship combined music, fashion and celebrity culture in a way that naturally attracted plenty of media attention.
By 2016, the couple were married and preparing to welcome their first child, making them one of the most closely followed celebrity couples of the year.
14. Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani
Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani created one of the most unexpected celebrity romances of 2016. Both singers had already experienced high-profile marriages before finding a connection while working together on The Voice.
Their chemistry quickly became impossible for fans and the media to ignore. After their previous relationships ended, Shelton and Stefani went public with their romance and began appearing together more frequently.
The pairing brought together country music and pop-rock royalty, making Shelton and Stefani one of the year's most talked-about celebrity couples.
13. Taylor Swift and Calvin Harris
Taylor Swift's relationships have consistently generated enormous public interest, so her romance with internationally famous DJ and producer Calvin Harris was bound to attract attention.
The two music stars became one of the industry's most recognizable couples, occasionally sharing glimpses of their relationship with fans. Their vacation photos and public appearances quickly became major talking points among celebrity followers.
With both artists enjoying enormous success in the music industry, fans naturally wondered whether their relationship might eventually lead to a major musical collaboration as well.
12. Bella Hadid and The Weeknd
Model Bella Hadid and musician The Weeknd quickly became one of the coolest young celebrity couples of the year. Both were building impressive careers, with Hadid becoming a major name in fashion while The Weeknd continued his rise as one of music's most successful artists.
The couple did little to hide their affection for each other, and their social media interactions regularly attracted attention from fans.
Their combination of fashion-world glamour and music-industry success made them an especially photogenic and popular celebrity pairing in 2016.
11. Harry Styles and Kendall Jenner
Kendall Jenner grew up in one of America's most famous families before establishing herself as a successful international model. Harry Styles, meanwhile, had become a global superstar through One Direction before beginning his solo career.
The pair's on-again, off-again connection had already attracted attention, but sightings of them together in 2016 reignited interest in their relationship.
When the two were photographed spending time together on a yacht, fans once again began wondering whether the stylish young stars were officially a couple.
10. Chrissy Teigen and John Legend
John Legend and Chrissy Teigen became one of Hollywood's most entertaining couples thanks to their contrasting personalities and obvious affection for one another.
Legend is known for his smooth music and quiet personality, while Teigen built a reputation for her sharp humor, outspoken personality and highly entertaining social media presence.
In 2016, the couple attracted even more attention as Teigen expanded her career and the pair prepared to welcome their first child. Their combination of romance, humor and family life made them one of the year's favorite celebrity couples.
9. Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin
Justin Bieber's personal life has always attracted enormous attention, particularly when it comes to his romantic relationships. After years of public interest in his relationship with Selena Gomez, Bieber's connection with model Hailey Baldwin became another major celebrity story.
The pair were photographed together during vacations and shared moments of their time together on social media, giving fans plenty to discuss.
Whether the relationship was serious or simply a short-lived romance, Bieber and Baldwin were certainly one of the most closely watched young celebrity pairings of 2016.
8. Selena Gomez and Charlie Puth
Selena Gomez remained one of pop culture's biggest stars in 2016, and her romantic life continued to generate plenty of speculation.
Rumors surrounding Gomez and singer Charlie Puth began attracting attention as the two spent time together and prepared to tour. Their chemistry became a frequent topic among fans, with many wondering whether their friendship could develop into something more.
Although the relationship generated plenty of headlines, the pair's musical connection was also an important part of their appeal, particularly as both artists continued to grow their careers.
7. Cheryl Cole and Liam Payne
Cheryl Cole and Liam Payne became one of the most surprising celebrity couples of 2016. Cole was already an established British pop star and television personality, while Payne was internationally famous as a member of One Direction.
Their relationship attracted considerable attention because of their age difference and their previous high-profile relationships. Speculation grew after the pair began appearing connected on social media.
Payne eventually made his feelings public, and the relationship quickly became one of the biggest celebrity stories in the British entertainment world.
6. Amy Schumer and Ben Hanisch
Comedian and actress Amy Schumer became known for her confident personality, sharp humor and willingness to speak openly about her life. In 2016, fans became increasingly interested in her relationship with Ben Hanisch.
Unlike many celebrity couples, Hanisch was not another major entertainment star. He was a furniture designer from Chicago who had built his own career in the design industry.
Their relationship offered a refreshing contrast to the typical Hollywood romance. Schumer and Hanisch appeared comfortable together, and their different professional backgrounds made them an especially interesting couple to follow.
5. Kristen Stewart and Stéphanie Sokolinski (SoKo)
Kristen Stewart's relationship with French musician and actress Stéphanie Sokolinski, better known as SoKo, became one of the more unexpected romances to attract attention in 2016.
Both women had distinctive personalities and unconventional styles, making them a particularly intriguing pairing for entertainment fans.
After being spotted together in public, rumors about their relationship quickly spread. SoKo later discussed the romance publicly, adding another layer of interest to the story.
4. Sarah Paulson and Holland Taylor
Sarah Paulson and Holland Taylor captured attention in part because their relationship challenged traditional expectations surrounding celebrity couples and age differences.
Both actresses had already established respected careers in Hollywood, and their relationship quickly became a favorite topic among entertainment fans.
The couple frequently expressed affection and admiration for one another, showing that a meaningful relationship can develop regardless of age or conventional expectations.
3. Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth
Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth had already experienced one of Hollywood's most closely followed young romances before their relationship took an unexpected turn.
The pair originally met while filming The Last Song and eventually became engaged before splitting. Their reconciliation in 2016 immediately sparked renewed interest from fans and entertainment media.
Their journey from young Hollywood romance to breakup and reconciliation made them one of the most intriguing celebrity couples to watch that year.
2. Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik
Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik quickly became one of the most fashionable celebrity couples of 2016. Hadid was already one of the world's most successful young models, while Malik had become a global music star after leaving One Direction.
When the pair began appearing together, fans immediately took notice. Their relationship soon moved beyond casual sightings and into major fashion and entertainment coverage.
The couple even appeared together in a highly publicized Vogue editorial, photographed by legendary photographer Mario Testino. Their combination of music, fashion and youthful star power made them an instant celebrity power couple.
1. Laverne Cox and Jono Freedrix
Laverne Cox became one of the most recognizable stars from Orange Is the New Black, earning widespread attention for her role as Sophia Burset and becoming an influential voice in entertainment.
Her relationship with Jono Freedrix also attracted interest from fans and celebrity media. Compared with some of the year's more public romances, the pair generally maintained a lower profile, which only added to the curiosity surrounding them.
Cox's growing profile in Hollywood meant that her personal life naturally attracted attention, and her relationship with Freedrix became another reason fans wanted to know more about the star.
Final Thoughts
From music superstars and international models to actors, television personalities and unexpected pairings, 2016 delivered plenty of celebrity romances for fans to follow.
Some of these relationships became long-lasting partnerships, while others eventually went their separate ways. Nevertheless, each couple generated plenty of headlines and captured the attention of pop culture fans around the world.
Which celebrity couple from 2016 was your favorite? Share your pick in the comments below.