Scarlett Johansson marriage and divorces have fascinated fans and tabloids alike, with the acclaimed actress entering into three deeply personal unions, two of which ended in separation before she found long-awaited stability with Colin Jost. Johansson’s journey through these marriages highlights not only the complexities of love in the spotlight but also what may finally make her third relationship endure where the previous two faltered.
Tracing Scarlett Johansson’s Path Through Three Marriages
Throughout her career as one of Hollywood’s most private A-listers, Scarlett Johansson has managed to keep many details of her romantic life shielded from the public, despite the intense attention. Her marriage timeline is marked by significant highs and lows—her first to Ryan Reynolds, then to French journalist Romain Dauriac, and finally to Saturday Night Live’s Colin Jost, with whom she currently shares a quiet life and a young son.
Johansson’s love life reads almost like a trilogy, where each marriage brought different challenges. While public moments such as her affectionate display with co-star Jonathan Bailey at a film premiere may capture brief headlines, her enduring love story has unfolded away from the spotlight, marked by big decisions and life-altering lessons.
Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Reynolds: A Short-Lived Hollywood Romance
One of Johansson’s most understated relationships was her brief marriage to Ryan Reynolds. Their involvement began in 2007, soon after Reynolds ended his engagement to Alanis Morissette. In 2008, Johansson and Reynolds exchanged vows in an exceptionally private ceremony, intentionally keeping their union away from media scrutiny.
Despite their efforts to craft a life together, the demands of their respective acting careers quickly became a source of strain. Johansson once revealed her personal struggle with the pressures of balancing work and family, saying:
We work and then go home and — I, anyway — just stare at the wall for a few hours before I go to sleep. Like in any profession, it’s difficult. You want to make sure you have time to invest in your family. It’s a challenge, but it’s worth it.
The couple formally parted ways in 2010, officially divorcing in July 2011, with their hectic schedules and lack of privacy taking a substantial toll on their bond.
The Challenges of Marrying Within the Same Profession
Scarlett Johansson later opened up about the difficulties of maintaining a marriage when both partners share the same high-pressure profession. In a candid interview, she explained how relationships between two ambitious actors can be inherently tough, and competitive dynamics may surface, admitting:
The logistics of being with another actor are challenging. There has to be a real understanding of how you share your time, especially when two people’s careers are going at the same rate. Or even if one person is more successful than the other, that also proves challenging. There may be a competitive thing.
Over time, Johansson recognized her own limitations in sustaining a partnership under such pressures. She admitted to Cosmopolitan UK that she did not fully comprehend the commitment required, stating:
I wasn’t prepared to hunker down and do the work,
Meanwhile, Ryan Reynolds reflected on his single status after their separation, offering a glimpse of his feelings at the time:
I’m very happy not to be in a relationship right now. That’s okay. I didn’t plan on it, that’s for sure but that’s okay.
Reynolds would eventually remarry, finding happiness with actress Blake Lively, while Johansson’s path took her in a different direction.
The Second Chapter: Johansson’s Marriage to Romain Dauriac
Scarlett Johansson’s quest for a more private partnership led her to French journalist Romain Dauriac. Their connection moved away from the usual celebrity circles, and in 2014, the couple welcomed a daughter before discreetly marrying two months later in an intimate ceremony.
Johansson was clear about her admiration for Dauriac, once saying that it was “his brain” that first attracted her—in particular, his intellect and unique way of seeing the world:
He’s the smartest person I know. I was attracted to the way that he thinks, his sense of irony, how he looks at things.
Despite their strong connection, their relationship came to an end in the summer of 2016, and by March 2017, Johansson initiated divorce proceedings, leaving many to wonder why the relationship dissolved so soon after their daughter’s birth.
Why the Union With Romain Dauriac Ended
Johansson referred to her marriage with Dauriac as “irretrievably broken” and made it clear she did not intend to make public any intimate details about their separation. In a respectful yet firm statement, she said:
As a devoted mother and private person and with complete awareness that my daughter will one day be old enough to read the news about herself, I would only like to say that I will never, ever be commenting on the dissolution of my marriage.
By choosing not to discuss their breakup in public, Johansson reaffirmed her commitment to privacy, especially given the presence of their young child. Ultimately, she shielded her family from the glare of tabloid speculation and allowed the reasons for the separation to remain between the two parents.
Colin Jost: A Different Kind of Relationship for Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johansson eventually formed a lasting connection with comedian and writer Colin Jost, marking a shift from her earlier relationships. The pair stepped out together publicly in 2017 at a gala in New York, and within two years, Jost proposed.
Johansson expressed her affection for Jost during her sixth appearance hosting Saturday Night Live, sharing with the audience:
This place means so much to me. I have so many friends here, and I met the love of my life here,
They married in 2020 at their Palisades, New York home, with the announcement carried not by magazines but by the charity Meals on Wheels America, highlighting the couple’s values around community and privacy.
In 2021, Johansson and Jost celebrated the arrival of their son, further deepening their bond as a family. Appearing on The Drew Barrymore Show the following year, Johansson articulated a profound and simple truth about meaningful relationships:
Just feeling seen by somebody else … just to be seen is what it’s all about.
This understated reflection signals a departure from the intensity of her earlier marriages, pointing to a more grounded, mutually supportive partnership.
The Impact and Legacy of Scarlett Johansson’s Marital Journey
With two divorces and a new chapter with Colin Jost, Scarlett Johansson’s experience with marriage stands as a testament to the complexity of finding love in the spotlight. Her story illustrates the difficulties of blending high-profile careers with personal happiness, and the emotional risk involved in opening oneself to new chances.
Both Ryan Reynolds and Romain Dauriac played pivotal roles in Johansson’s growth and self-awareness. Now, with Jost, she appears calmer, more centered, and content, suggesting that the lessons of the past have led her to a place of peace. Johansson’s willingness to prioritize privacy and authenticity over spectacle may be the key ingredient missing from her previous unions.
As Johansson balances the demands of fame, motherhood, and her new marriage, observers watch with optimism to see if this union stands apart. In a world where lasting relationships are rare for Hollywood A-listers, perhaps Scarlett Johansson marriage and divorces have led to the wisdom needed for lasting love. The next chapter is still being written, and for now, Johansson seems to have found stability where it matters most.
