A Look Back At Olivia Culpo’s Rumored Romance With Ryan Lochte

In 2012, Olivia Culpo and Ryan Lochte were speculated to be an item after being spotted hanging out on more than one occasion. The pair was first seen at Brian Atwood’s party following the launch of that year’s New York Fashion Week. Reportedly, the renowned fashion event brought them together for their first meeting just a few days prior. Then, 72 hours later, they were getting cozy yet again, this time at another New York Fashion Week event showcasing Venus Williams’ tennis line. As the duo kept popping up at various shows, people began to take notice.

The New York Daily News reported that a close source said at the time, “Things are still very new, because they just met.” Meanwhile, Lochte’s team wouldn’t officially label them as “dating.” The professional swimmer wasn’t so tight-lipped about the relationship, though. He told E! News, “She is beautiful. I love hanging out with her. She has a great sense of humor, she makes me laugh; she’s just a good girl to hang out with.”

It seemed like the then-newly crowned Miss Universe was quickly becoming the center of Lochte’s universe — until she pushed him out of her orbit and back into the friend zone. “People make things up when they see people together,” She first told the New York Post, confirming that she was definitely still single (via People).