Emily Ratajkowski added a personal element to her bold appearance at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards. The 35-year-old model shared an Instagram carousel that offered a behind-the-scenes look at the event, showcasing her striking red-and-black dress with open sides.
A close-up image from the awards event revealed Ratajkowski displaying her manicure and event credentials. Her nails featured the initials ‘RG,’ coinciding with the name of her boyfriend, Romain Gavras, a French filmmaker. Her VMA guest pass further clarified this connection by identifying her as ‘Romain Plus One.’
‘Went to the VMAs as a @romaingavras @surkin @yunglean2001 groupie and had the best time,’ she captioned the Instagram carousel, highlighting her enjoyment of the event.
Ratajkowski was seen wearing sunglasses and carrying a small black bag in a photo taken between production trailers. Her Instagram followers quickly responded to her look, with one noting the subtle cutout on her dress and others commenting on her connection to the tagged artists.
Romain Gavras was acknowledged at the awards show for his directorial work on GENER8ION’s ‘STORM starring Yung Lean,’ which contended for Video of the Year. Gavras also received a nomination for Best Direction and Damien Jalet for Best Choreography.
During the event, Ratajkowski and Gavras were photographed together in the Peacock Theater. Her manicure appeared to pay tribute to Gavras with additional design elements referencing his movie poster for ‘Sacrifice.’ Their appearance at VMAs is part of a series of public outings, including a photographed vacation in Rome earlier in the month.
Ratajkowski and Gavras first attracted public attention in November 2025 when spotted together in New York City. She confirmed their relationship on Instagram in February with a heartfelt post.
Ratajkowski previously spoke to Harper’s Bazaar about how her approach to dating evolved after her divorce from Sebastian Bear-McClard. She emphasized the shift from wanting to be chosen to focusing on what she wanted from a partner.
Romain Gavras is known for directing prominent music videos, such as M.I.A.’s ‘Bad Girls,’ Jamie xx’s ‘Gosh,’ and Jay-Z and Kanye West’s ‘No Church in the Wild,’ which earned him a Grammy nomination. His filmography includes ‘Athena’ and the drama ‘Sacrifice’. Gavras comes from a family of filmmakers, being the son of Costa-Gavras. Before Ratajkowski, he dated singer Dua Lipa in 2023.
Danielle Minnetian works as an Entertainment Production Assistant for Fox News Digital, focusing on celebrity news and entertainment trends.