Rafael Olarra, the Argentinian creative director and the ex-boyfriend of Luke Evans and The last of us Star Pedro Pascal is at the center of swirling romance rumors these days.
The buzz started earlier this month when Pascal, 50, and Olarra, 47, were photographed together multiple times on New York’s Lower East Side.
On February 6, the two were spotted holding hands during a walk before sitting down for a meal together.
A few days later, they were seen side by side at a screening of Wuthering Heightswith Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie, chatting closely throughout.
Then, on February 24, photos obtained by TMZ showed the two men strolling around Beverly Hills in sportswear with their arms wrapped around their waists.
In an instant, Pascal appears to lean over and place his chin and mouth on Olarra’s shoulder.
In another, Olarra puts his arm around Pascal in return. The two men were smiling and laughing in the Los Angeles sun.
Neither Pascal nor Olarra have commented on the nature of their relationship, but fans have been talking a lot.
“He must really be in love, because he has never publicly walked around with someone like him knowingly getting laid,” one supporter wrote online.
Another added: “I like that he hasn’t made any big personal statements. It seems like he lives his life without fanfare.”
Who is Rafael Olarra?
So who is Rafael Olarra? Born in Gualeguaychú, Argentina, he studied at the Universidad del Cine in Buenos Aires and later reportedly studied in Madrid.
He has built a quietly impressive career in the world of art direction, luxury hospitality and large-scale creative projects.
Since August 2015, he has served as creative director of Faena Group, a premium international hotel brand founded by Argentinian hotelier Alan Faena, known for his immersive blend of art, culture and luxury.
On his own website, Olarra describes his role as being “charged with bringing to life Alan Faena’s vision and work to improve the Faena neighborhood, which was created in collaboration with the incredible minds of Baz Luhrmann, Catherine Martins, Ximena Caminos, Juan Gatti, Rem Koolhaas, Foster, Oma, Francis Mallman, Paul Qui and many others.”
Beyond Faena, he also undertakes independent art direction work spanning fashion campaigns, editorials, advertising, exhibitions, theater and television.
On Instagram, however, it’s a different side of him that comes out, he describes himself as an “adventurous traveler”, a “motivated climber” and a “triathlete”, with a social circle that includes Cher, Gisele Bündchen, Violet Chachki and Jamie Foxx.
Olarra is openly gay and was previously in a relationship with Welsh actor Luke Evans, best known for Beauty and the Beast.
What does Pedro Pascal say about romance rumors with Rafael Olarra?
Pascal, for his part, has always kept his personal life a secret.
He has never publicly addressed his sexuality, nor his previous romance rumors, including his ties to Maria Dizzia in the 1990s, Game of Thrones co-star Lena Headey in 2014, Robin Tunney in 2015 and Jennifer Aniston in 2025 have never been confirmed by the actor himself.
What is well established, however, is his vocal support for the LGBTQ+ community.
Her sister, Lux Pascal, is trans, and her The last of us co-star Bella Ramsey identifies as non-binary.
Talk to The wrap Last year, Pascal said it was “important to protect people and human beings, especially those who simply ask for the right to exist in the bodies that belong to them, in a world they never asked to be brought into.”
He described members of the LGBTQ+ community as “vulnerable, inspiring, brave and courageous”, and stressed how it is “very important” to protect these qualities “in humanity”.
Both men share Chilean and South American cultural roots—Pascal was born in Chile, Olarra in Argentina—and their repeated, unhurried public appearances suggest a comfort and closeness that has attracted the attention of fans and the media.
It remains to be seen whether the romance is officially there. For now, as one fan said, Pascal seems to be just living his life.
