Cara Delevingne & Ashley Benson: The Complete Relationship Timeline

Cara Delevingne and Ashley Benson’s romance is a story filled with red-carpet moments, social media speculation, and genuine affection that captivated fans worldwide. From their initial encounter on a movie set to their eventual separation, their journey has been anything but ordinary. Here, we explore every significant step in their relationship, piecing together public appearances, social media hints, and heartfelt statements for the most comprehensive retrospect.

How It All Began: On Set Chemistry

  • April 2018: ‘Her Smell’ Brings Them Together – Cara Delevingne and Ashley Benson first met as co-stars on the set of the punk-rock drama Her Smell, igniting a friendship that soon grew into more.
    Filming together laid the foundation for what would become one of pop culture’s most intriguing relationships.

Cara and Ashley’s meeting was serendipitous. “We weren’t looking for it,” Cara later shared, describing their connection as authentic and natural.

The Social Media Clues: Fans Start Speculating

  • May 3, 2018: Ashley Shares Their First Instagram Photo – A sweet (and slightly blurry) selfie appeared on Benson’s Instagram, prompting followers to ask questions.
    Cara’s like on the post only fueled the rumors.
  • Late May 2018: Public Sightings – The duo were photographed holding hands, hugging, and appearing markedly close during outings in New York City. These intimate snapshots began to hint at more than just a friendship.
  • August 2018: The ‘CA’ Necklace – Benson shared a selfie featuring necklaces with the initials ‘C’ and ‘A’. Fans immediately interpreted this as a secret nod to their relationship.

Airport PDA & Birthday Celebrations

  • August 14, 2018: Spotted Kissing at Heathrow – Photos emerged of Cara and Ashley sharing a kiss at London’s Heathrow Airport. These candid moments effectively confirmed the rumors for many.
  • August 18, 2018: Benson Attends Cara’s 26th Birthday – Among a star-studded guest list, Benson stood out as Cara’s guest of honor, further entwining their personal and professional lives.

During this period, both chose to remain publicly silent about the true nature of their relationship. In interviews, Ashley repeated that she preferred privacy, neither confirming nor denying the romance.

Going Public: Viral Moments & Instagram Official

  • May 2019: The Infamous Sex Bench Photo – Paparazzi snapped Cara and Ashley carrying a sex bench into their California home. The moment quickly went viral and brought their relationship even more into the public eye.
  • June 2019: Relationship Confirmed – For the first time, Cara publicly acknowledged the romance. On Instagram, she posted a video of herself kissing Ashley (a scene from Her Smell), captioned with “#PRIDE”.
    Ashley responded with three heart emojis, delighting fans and confirming what many suspected.

Cara later explained her decision to go public, saying it felt right during Pride month and roughly marked their first anniversary. “It’s been just about our one year anniversary so, why not?” she told E! News. The timing was poignant, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots—an iconic moment for LGBTQ+ rights.

Power Couple Moments: Red Carpets & Sweet Tributes

  • Mid-2019: Officially Living Together – Reports surfaced that the couple had moved in together in Los Angeles, strengthening their bond and boosting their couple status.
  • June 18, 2019: TrevorLIVE Gala Speech – Cara gave a deeply personal speech at the TrevorLIVE New York Gala, where Ashley was present. She said: “She’s one of the people who help me love myself when I needed it most. She showed me what real love is and how to accept it.”
  • September 9, 2019: US Open PDA – The couple made headlines with tender displays of affection while cheering at the US Open Women’s Final.
  • DKNY 30th Anniversary Bash – Cara hosted the event with Ashley there to show her unwavering support. Their public appearances together continued to showcase their strength as a couple.

Keeping Private Amid Fame

Despite frequent appearances at major events, Cara and Ashley chose to keep most of their relationship out of the media spotlight.

  • Media Strategy: Both remained silent regarding detailed questions about their relationship. In interviews, Ashley emphasized: “I think it’s the best way in any relationship. I’ve always been very private about them, and I think it just always works better.”
  • Social Media: Their rare Instagram moments always ignited excitement—just enough to keep fans invested without revealing too much.

Rumors, Support, and Loyalty

  • Controversy & Defense: When speculation arose about Ashley’s relationship with rapper G-Eazy shortly after the split, Cara took to Instagram to defend her ex, denouncing hate and asking fans to show kindness.
  • Public Loyalty: Despite the breakup, both women displayed mutual respect and refused to engage in public negativity.

The Breakup: ‘No Drama, Just Ran Its Course’

  • April 2020: Reports Surface of Split – After two years, multiple sources confirmed to outlets like People and E! News that Cara and Ashley had officially parted ways.
  • May 2020: Confirming the End – It was widely reported that Ashley moved out of Cara’s home, and both began to ‘move on’ with their lives. Friends said there was “no drama”—the relationship simply “ran its course.”
  • No Contact: Sources reported limited communication following the breakup, underscoring their mutual decision to go separate ways.

Their relationship, though no longer romantic, remains a poignant part of both women’s lives—a testament to authentic connection, respect, and growth.

Relationship Timeline: At a Glance

Date Event Details
April 2018 First Meeting Met as co-stars filming Her Smell
May 2018 First Instagram Photo Ashley posts blurry selfie with Cara
August 2018 Airport PDA Kissed at Heathrow Airport; ‘CA’ jewelry sparks rumors
May 2019 Viral Bench Photo Seen purchasing a sex bench for their home
June 2019 Instagram Official Cara posts video confirming the relationship
June 2019 TrevorLIVE Speech Cara publicly thanks Ashley for love and support
September 2019 US Open PDA Spotted together cheering for Serena Williams
April 2020 Breakup Split after two years, reports cite no drama

Key Moments That Defined Their Relationship

  • Meeting on Set: Instant, natural chemistry set the tone.
  • Careful Privacy: Both celebrities prioritized keeping their romance private for as long as possible.
  • Viral Culture: Paparazzi shots and sly hints kept fans guessing until the couple made things public.
  • Pride and Public Support: The couple went public during Pride Month, making their story influential for LGBTQ+ visibility.
  • Graceful Breakup: The absence of public drama set a standard for celebrity breakups, showing maturity and mutual respect.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How did Cara Delevingne and Ashley Benson meet?

A: They met in April 2018 while filming the punk-rock drama Her Smell, where they quickly formed a close bond that transformed into a romantic relationship.

Q: When did they confirm their relationship?

A: Cara Delevingne made their relationship Instagram official in June 2019 by posting a video of them kissing, coinciding with Pride Month and roughly marking their first anniversary.

Q: Why did Cara and Ashley break up?

A: According to reports, there was no dramatic fallout; the relationship ran its natural course after about two years, and both decided to move on amicably.

Q: How did they keep their relationship private?

A: Both stars rarely commented directly about their romance and shared only select moments on social media, choosing to keep their private life separate from public scrutiny.

Q: Were there public displays of affection?

A: Yes, Cara and Ashley’s relationship included memorable moments of PDA at events like the US Open and through their Instagram interactions, especially after going public.

Legacy: Impact on Fans and Pop Culture

The relationship between Cara Delevingne and Ashley Benson resonated with fans for its rare combination of authenticity and discretion. As celebrities navigating immense public scrutiny, they managed to maintain a sense of normalcy and genuine support for one another—qualities that continue to inspire their respective fanbases. Their openness during Pride Month served as a meaningful act of representation, and their amicable breakup offered a positive perspective on moving forward with mutual respect. Though their romance ended, their story remains a notable chapter in the history of modern celebrity relationships.