Who Is Sean Penn’s Girlfriend? All About Model & Actress Valeria Nicov

Sean Penn has quietly embraced a new chapter in his love life with model and actress Valeria Nicov. The pair made their public debut as a couple at the Marrakech International Film Festival in November 2024, following earlier reports and photos of their vacation together in Spain, first shared by Page Six.

This relationship came as a surprise to many fans, especially since the two-time Academy Award winner told in June 2024 that he was content with being single and avoiding relationship drama. “I’m just free,” Penn said at the time. “If I’m going to be in a relationship, I’m still going to be free.”

Since making their romance public, Nicov has been a frequent companion at high-profile events. The couple notably supported Bono’s documentary at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2025 and attended the Lumière Festival in October, where Penn was honored as the guest of honor.

So, who is Valeria Nicov? She is an actress and model with notable credits including appearances on Emily in Paris and French TV series like Mike and Don’t Worry About the Kids. Nicov studied acting at the prestigious RADA Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and the Cours Florent. As a model, she is represented by Premium Models and has worked with brands such as Carolina Herrera, Dada Sport, and Bonanza. She also has skills in boxing and piano playing.

The couple was first linked in September 2024 when Page Six reported sightings of them together in Madrid, where they were photographed kissing and holding hands. The following month, they were seen at Los Angeles Airport, reinforcing rumors of their relationship.

Their first official red carpet appearance as a couple came in November 2024 at the Marrakech International Film Festival, where Penn was honored with a career achievement award.

Beyond her professional career, Nicov is passionate about horseback riding, a skill she frequently showcases in photo shoots for fashion brands. She is also multilingual, fluent in French, English, Spanish, and Russian, and often captions her social media posts in multiple languages.

Nicov is close friends with Emily in Paris star Camille Razat, calling her “ma femme,” a French term meaning “my wife,” on Instagram and sharing candid moments with her online. The two have also worked together on projects, including the French comedy Paris Pigalle and Emily in Paris, where Nicov made a cameo as a bartender.

Before going public with Nicov, Penn told that he was wary of romantic entanglements and did not expect to have his “heart broken by romance again.” The Oscar-winning actor emphasized his desire to remain free and avoid unnecessary drama, stating, “I’m not going to be hurting,” and that he would steer clear of the “trauma gods.”

Sean Penn’s past relationships include marriages to Madonna (1985–1989), Robin Wright (1996–2010), and Australian actress Leila George (2020–2022). He has also been linked to Charlize Theron, Scarlett Johansson, and Olga Korotyayeva. Now, with Valeria Nicov by his side, Penn seems to have embraced a new and promising relationship.