After weeks of speculation, Zara McDermott and Louis Tomlinson have finally ‘soft launched’ with a cheeky Instagram photo of a date in Malibu.
While friends insist it is “early days”, the pair have been enjoying a series of “low-key” dates and have been clearly having fun together. It comes after Zara’s split from Made in Chelsea boyfriend Sam Thompson in December.
In a new photo posted to social media, Zara, 28, shared her food and the food of the person she was with. Eagle-eyed fans noticed that 33-year-old Louis’ tattoo was visible in the snap, soft launching their relationship.
But how did they first meet? What do their families think? And is it getting serious? Here’s everything we know so far…
It’s not been confirmed how the pair first met, but it has been speculated that the former One Direction star’s sisters may have played a part.
Daisy and Phoebe Tomlinson, 20, are currently making a documentary and known to fans to be major reality TV fans. It’s through this connection that fans believe they could have brought them together. The twins, along with their older sister Lottie, had already been following Zara on social media, with Louis following her more recently.
One fan suggested on Reddit: “I think there is a documentary about the Tomlinsons being produced since the sisters are interested in being England’s version of the Kardashians. Zara has worked on documentaries, maybe she is involved with that.”
A source also previously claimed to know the real reason Zara had been “dating up”. They claimed: “She’s always done well to reinvent herself over the years and has been prepared to make the necessary changes to her career and personal life to take things to the next level.”
Speaking to The Sun, the source revealed her ‘true passion’ of making music had taken a ‘back seat’ in recent times. They said: “A relationship with Louis would allow her to submerge herself into music and let her focus on her passion that she has neglected in recent years.”
According to the source, his sisters all gave Zara “their blessing” to date the singer. They continued: “He’s very close to his sisters and knows they have his best interests at heart. The fact they have actively given Zara their blessing says a lot about her character.”
Zara and Louis were first spotted together in March as they enjoyed a loved-up cosy date at a hotel in Aldeburgh, Suffolk. The pair were spotted by a fellow guest as they enjoyed a romantic meal for two following a string of past dates.
The former Love Island star and her new beau Louis were seen giggling and holding hands while they dined on £100 fish and chips plus cocktails during the outing. “They looked every bit the happy couple,” one onlooker said of the hot new couple. Zara and Louis were spotted at Aldeburgh’s The Suffolk where rooms cost up to £315-a night.
The guest, who snapped the pictures of the two stars tucking into their £100 whole brill and chips, remarked how the pair looked like they were “having a great time” as they touched hands across the table. They noted how “Zara had a few cocktails” and “Louis was really making her giggle” as they spoke for ages in the swanky venue.
A source added: “Louis is a proper gentleman so this trip was something he planned and put on for Zara,” the insider told the publication. “He was really thoughtful and wanted to make it special. They share the same values and are both incredibly close with their families.” They added that Zara and Louis are taking things slow at the moment but are “enjoying each other’s company”.
Sam Thompson hasn’t responded to his ex Zara’s blossoming romance with Louis yet, but he did refer to his heartbreak over their split in a podcast filmed just before the pair were spotted together.
During his chat with Celebs Go Dating star Paul C Brunson, he said: “I went through a breakup and everyone keeps saying they can see sadness behind the eyes.”
“I’m terrified about where I am going Paul. The way I see it I am a plane and the pilot has passed out in the cockpit and they are like: ‘Does anyone know how to fly a plane?’,” he also admitted.
Sam insisted he wouldn’t be rushing into a new romance. Asked by Paul what he was doing for self-love and focusing on himself in the wake of his split, he said: “Not much to be honest with you. I suppose a lot of people look for validation in other people and they look for the other person instantly to fill that hole. I can’t do that.”
Sam and Louis are also set for an awkward run-in later this year when they both play for England in the upcoming Soccer Aid for UNICEF, taking place on June 15 at Manchester’s Old Trafford.
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