Joe Manganiello Finds New Love Interest Barely Two Months After Split With Sofia Vergara

Sep 25, 2023

Joe Manganiello and Sofia Vergara were one of Hollywood’s most-adored couples who both exuded beauty and excellence. The "Magic Mike" star and the "Modern Family" actress had fans smitten for over five years before they decided to part ways. 

The couple shocked their myriad of fans in July 2023 when they announced they were separating after being together for seven years. Surprisingly, barely two months after Manganiello's split from Vergara, Manganiello got fans curious when he was spotted hanging out with actress Caitlin O'Connor. 

He and Vergara first met in May 2014 when they attended the White House Correspondents' Association dinner. The following month, the duo went on their first date. While speaking to Haute Living, Manganiello revealed that Vergara initially tried to push him away after their first date. He added that she was cautious about entering a new relationship after her engagement with Nick Loeb ended. He shared that she did not take his suggestion to be single if she wanted it. 

Fortunately, the actress confirmed their relationship in August of that year, and Manganiello proposed on Christmas Eve on the tropical Hawaiian island of Kauai. However, he had to change his proposal plans due to the vast paparazzi's interest in their relationship. The actor shared how he proposed to Vergara. He relayed:

"I had a whole speech prepared in Spanish. I proposed to her on one knee in Spanish with the sun going down. It was awesome."

The pair tied the knot at The Breakers Palm Beach resort in Florida on Nov. 22, 2015. The “Hot Pursuit” star was an immaculate vision in her custom-made Zuhair Murad wedding attire. Grazia revealed that it took over 30 people to make the dress. 

However, the pair were ready to head to the divorce court almost eight years later. Announced via Page Six in July 2023, Vergara and Manganiello made it known that they were separated. The statement read:

"We have made the difficult decision to divorce. As two people that love and care for one another very much, we politely ask for respect of our privacy at this time as we navigate this new phase of our lives.”

A source close to the couple revealed that the pair had been growing apart for a while and were taking some distance from each other. Vergara also celebrated her birthday in Italy without Manganiello or her wedding ring in the same month. Manganiello's absence from Vergara's birthday did not go unnoticed by fans. 

Fans of the actress took to social media with questions after she made a cryptic post. One wrote, "Wondering where her husband is, he hasn’t shown up in any of the photos of videos.” The "What to Expect When You're Expecting" actor also raised eyebrows when he posted a now-deleted plain birthday tribute, "!!Feliz Cumpleaños Sofía!!!" (Which is "Happy birthday Sofía" in Spanish) on his Instagram. Fans also reacted to his birthday tribute with more questions.

A fan wrote: "Am I the only one who doesn’t like the way it sounds? ‘Sofía’ …. not even ‘ My love, My beloved wife.'” Another fan also added, "Joe, I hope you guys are ok, that was a very different (cold) happy birthday wish to your wife, compare(d) to previous ones!”

A source also shared with People after the "True Blood" actor filed for divorce from Vergara that the couple had "ups and downs for a long time" but did not make it public. 

The insider also added that the pair "differ immensely in style and what they like to do." However, during their marriage, the duo tried to make everything work. The "How I Met Your Mother" actor appeared to be moving on with the romantic aspect of his life when he was spotted with “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty” star Caitlin O'Connor, amid his divorce process with Vergara. An insider stated that the actors first met in a hot tub at an unofficial post-premiere party for the HBO drama for Los Angeles Lakers '80s heyday. 

The source gave more details about the duo's first acquaintance. The insider revealed that the after-party was "the first time they met in the hot tub and they were talking the whole time!" The event was hosted at the show’s executive producer, Jim Hecht’s home. 

The individual also added that the pair were "casually seeing each other at this point." The "Electric Love" actress was described as "a lovely girl" and the actor "seemed like a great guy." Also in September 2023, the pair were photographed driving away together after a workout at a Gold's Gym in Venice, California, in the "Sabotage" actor's car.

Another source informed TMZ that the actor and O'Connor connected over both being from Pittsburgh when they first met in August. While the actor is from Mt. Lebanon, O'Connor hails from Uniontown.

While the actor is blooming with his new casual relationship, Vergara has been keeping busy. After celebrating her birthday with friends in July, the "Chasing Papi" actress went on to become a judge on season 18 of "America's Got Talent." 

What are your thoughts on Joe Manganiello’s latest move since his and Sofia Vergara’s divorce news? Do you think Vergara is headed towards a similar path in finding new love any time soon? Let us know, and be sure to pass this on to other Manganiello and Vergara fans.