20 iconic celebrity friendships you never knew about

Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart | Image Source: TheEllenShow via YouTube
Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart | Image Source: TheEllenShow via YouTube

Celebrity friendships offer fans an insight into stars' personal lives beyond the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. These connections are generally based on mutual respect and shared experiences. From long-standing relationships that have spanned decades to newer alliances that have rocketed into fans' hearts, these friendships remind us that authenticity and loyalty are worthy even in the world of fame and fortune. These 20 iconic celebrity friendships show that true camaraderie knows no spotlight.

1) Harry Styles and Stevie Nicks

Harry Styles and Stevie Nicks | Image Source: VENOM Presents via YouTube
Harry Styles and Stevie Nicks | Image Source: VENOM Presents via YouTube

Harry Styles and Stevie Nicks found a mutual connection when the latter publicly complimented Styles's first solo album, which she termed "magical." Over time, they grew closer, and last year, she made a surprise appearance at one of Harry's concerts. The two shared work, mixing in Nick's iconic rock heritage with Styles's dashing freshness. Their bond represents mutual respect and a shared love of quality timeless music.

2) Cameron Diaz and Drew Barrymore

Cameron Diaz and Drew Barrymore | Image Source: The Drew Barrymore Show via YouTube
Cameron Diaz and Drew Barrymore | Image Source: The Drew Barrymore Show via YouTube

Cameron Diaz and Drew Barrymore began their work lives together as co-stars in Charlie's Angels. Their cordial working relationship blossomed into one of Hollywood's long-standing friendships, wherein they both publicly showered praise on each other's personalities and talents. They have frequently been seen bolstering each other through major personal and professional milestones like Drew Barrymore's talk show.

3) Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen

Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen | Image Source: The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon via YouTube
Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen | Image Source: The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon via YouTube

Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen were each other's closest friends because of their careers in media and love for New York City. For several years, Anderson Cooper was an anchor to so many ribs on Andy Cohen's Watch What Happens Live. Cooper recently pointed out that Andy Cohen is his son's godfather, cementing the relationship. They are always kept on their schedules but do manage to spend time together on holidays quite often.

4) Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney | Image Source: BuzzFeed Celeb via YouTube
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney | Image Source: BuzzFeed Celeb via YouTube

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney turned into an extremely celebrated team of friends when they shocked the world by co-owning a Welsh football club, Wrexham AFC, in 2020. The relationship between the two men is followed in the 2022 documentary Welcome to Wrexham, where the audience gets to witness what their mixture of humor, devotion, and shared vision for the club looks like. But more than business, the relationship is marked by playful banter on social media.

5) Busy Philipps and Michelle Williams

Busy Philipps and Michelle Williams | Image Source: People via YouTube
Busy Philipps and Michelle Williams | Image Source: People via YouTube

The kind of friendship shared by Busy Philipps and Michelle Williams is perhaps the most authentic in the industry. It first began on Dawson's Creek, but ever since, it has been one of the things that have never changed in their lives. They've talked out tough times—publicly after Michelle lost Heath Ledger—by standing up for one another. That friendship is now the epitome of how emotional support can work.

6) Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez

Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez | Image Source: TheEllenShow via YouTube
Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez | Image Source: TheEllenShow via YouTube

Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez have been best friends through the many changes in showbiz. There have been times when both the stars have been photographed holding hands, exchanging words with each other during a coming and going party, or even when they sit together with their friends. Another reason for their great bonding is that Swift has labeled Gomez her "forever friend." In the recent Eras Tour of Swift, Gomez performed.

7) Taylor Swift and Sophie Turner

Taylor Swift and Sophie Turner | Image Source: Inside Edition via YouTube
Taylor Swift and Sophie Turner | Image Source: Inside Edition via YouTube

Taylor Swift and Sophie Turner probably became close friends when Sophie started dating Joe Jonas, Taylor Swift's ex-boyfriend. From then on, the two women have been together and inseparable. In 2023, Turner was one of Swift's biggest cheerleaders on the Eras Tour. At times, their bond is based on rich experiences in the public eye; after all, these celebrities have mutually supported each other during difficult times in their personal lives.

8) ⁠Tina Fey and Amy Poehler

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler | Image Source: The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon via YouTube
Tina Fey and Amy Poehler | Image Source: The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon via YouTube

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are comedy staples of Hollywood, from the banter to their mutual respect, as portrayed through their work with the Golden Globes over the years. The two first met at Chicago's ImprovOlympic but quickly became best friends. Their work in comedy led to projects like Baby Mama and Parks and Recreation. Despite their hectic schedules, they are very close, often babbling about each other in interviews.

9) Pitbull and John Travolta

Pitbull Performs On ABC's
Pitbull Performs On ABC's "Good Morning America" - Source: Getty

Pitbull and John Travolta have a weird, casual friendship. It was in 2010 when the song Kiss Kiss by Pitbull played as part of the promotional event for Travolta's film The Taking of Pelham 123. After that day, they often bonded with mutual admiration and have been seen together at numerous events. In 2015, Pitbull hosted Travolta on stage during a Miami concert. The dynamic of these two friends was very playful.

10) Amy Schumer and Jennifer Lawrence

Amy Schumer and Jennifer Lawrence | Image Source: Hollyscoop via YouTube
Amy Schumer and Jennifer Lawrence | Image Source: Hollyscoop via YouTube

Amy Schumer and Jennifer Lawrence first met in 2015, and they instantly clicked since they share the same appreciation for comedy and a no-holds-barred attitude toward life. Several hilarious moments rooted in both of them stem from their friendship. In 2023, the No Hard Feelings film marked a collaboration that cemented their relationship further.

11) Salma Hayek Pinault and Penélope Cruz

Salma Hayek Pinault and Penélope Cruz | Image Source: The Hollywood Fix via YouTube
Salma Hayek Pinault and Penélope Cruz | Image Source: The Hollywood Fix via YouTube

Salma Hayek Pinault and Penélope Cruz are perhaps a perfect example of sheer and pure Spanish cultural heritage in the form of friendship between two actresses. Although the two ladies have known each other long enough since the 1990s, their friendship has deepened with time. They can often be heard discussing mutual love for each other. They have collaborated on a few films, including the work done on Bandidas and Frida.

12) ⁠Tobey Maguire and Leonardo DiCaprio

Tobey Maguire and Leonardo DiCaprio | Image Source: Entertainment Tonight via YouTube
Tobey Maguire and Leonardo DiCaprio | Image Source: Entertainment Tonight via YouTube

Tobey Maguire and Leonardo DiCaprio are more like brothers than close friends of each other for the last thirty years. DiCaprio was also the best man at Maguire's wedding. They rekindled their friendship after going together to witness a 2023 game between the New York Knicks.

13) ⁠Rihanna and Cara Delevingne

Rihanna and Cara Delevingne | Image Source: The Graham Norton Show via YouTube
Rihanna and Cara Delevingne | Image Source: The Graham Norton Show via YouTube

The friendship between Rihanna and Cara Delevingne has become such an active feature within the sectors of fashion and entertainment. They met in 2013, and since then, they have had numerous moments together, like joint appearances at high-profile events. Delevingne is one of Rihanna's biggest supporters. She attended not just the launching of Fenty Beauty but all brand events. They became closer when Delevingne came out as pansexual back in 2020, and Rihanna proved to be a good friend and supportive ally.

14) Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart

Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart | Image Source: TheEllenShow via YouTube
Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart | Image Source: TheEllenShow via YouTube

Where it all began was when Snoop Dogg guest-starred on Martha Stewart's cooking show in 2008. Their chemistry was instant, merging his laid-back charismatic vibe with her refined expertise. As time went on, their connection finally allowed them to team up to create Martha & Snoop's Potluck Dinner Party. It has been the chemistry between them, better than the baking itself, that they have managed to capture the hearts of people. For Snoop, Martha taught him finesse; for Martha, she loved his sense of humor and authenticity.

15) Nina Dobrev and Julianne Hough

Nina Dobrev and Julianne Hough | Image Source: People via YouTube
Nina Dobrev and Julianne Hough | Image Source: People via YouTube

Nina Dobrev and Julianne Hough became close friends soon after Dobrev joined The Vampire Diaries and was dating Ian Somerhalder. They have teamed up for so many fitness and travel adventures and prove to be very close friends, as evidenced on social media. In 2017, Dobrev was also a bridesmaid at Hough's wedding, speaking volumes of the amount of trust and connection they had built over the years.

16) Jada Pinkett Smith and Queen Latifah

Jada Pinkett Smith and Queen Latifah | Image Source: People via YouTube
Jada Pinkett Smith and Queen Latifah | Image Source: People via YouTube

Mutual respect, besides some form of advocacy in social justice, has made this iconic friendship between Jada Pinkett Smith and Queen Latifah as long-lasting as possible in Hollywood. They began relating way back in the 1990s, and they have never been separated from other people since then. They have acted together in films like Set It Off and the Matrix series. They strengthened their friendship while working with The Queen Latifah Show and Pinkett Smith's work on other philanthropy fronts.

17) Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King

Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King | Image Source: People via YouTube
Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King | Image Source: People via YouTube

Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King have been best buddies for many years. In the 1970s, they started working with the media. Many times, says Winfrey, King is her "rock," and King says that Winfrey is her "soul sister." Such deep, unshakeable friendships as the duos mentioned above have been there before the public eye, mostly due to King's mass interviews and Winfrey's charity work.

18) ⁠Emma Stone and Jennifer Lawrence

Emma Stone and Jennifer Lawrence | Image Source: W Magazine via YouTube
Emma Stone and Jennifer Lawrence | Image Source: W Magazine via YouTube

The friendship of Emma Stone and Jennifer Lawrence shines as brightly as their on-screen talent in Hollywood. Emma and Jennifer met in 2008, and they've been buddies since. Their adorably competitive banter and outright humor at each other's expense were all brought into sharp focus through joint interviews and public appearances, like when they sparked sidesplitting hilarity during the 2013 Oscars. Their friendship, using the same kind of humor and mutual supportiveness, has been shared in both Stone and Lawrence's claims of admiring each other's work and friendship in many interviews over the years.

19) Courteney Cox and Jennifer Aniston

Courteney Cox and Jennifer Aniston | Image Source: American Film Institute via YouTube
Courteney Cox and Jennifer Aniston | Image Source: American Film Institute via YouTube

Courteney Cox and Jennifer Aniston's friendship has remained close since the Friends days. Their friendship could only take upward momentum after the show ended, but the two women have been constantly supporting each other throughout their personal and professional lives. They went pretty effortlessly co-hosting the reunion of Friends, leaking their old magic moments as when they were guests on that show in 2021. They have been pictured on several holiday adventures as well as some high-profile events.

20) Nicole Kidman and Naomi Watts

Nicole Kidman and Naomi Watts | Image Source: Entertainment Tonight via YouTube
Nicole Kidman and Naomi Watts | Image Source: Entertainment Tonight via YouTube

Indeed, old friends from her Australia days in the film industry are Nicole Kidman and Naomi Watts, and their friendship happens to be one of the longest-continued in Hollywood. The two also always defend the work of others. Openly, the time that has passed down has left the two women pouring out their love for one another during interviews. Watts joined Kidman in 2023 to celebrate her birthday; this showed how real the depth of their friendship and admiration were.

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Edited by Apoorva Jujjavarapu