DiCaprio and Ceretti

Leonardo DiCaprio, 51, is reportedly open to a long-term future with girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti, 27, a source close to the actor told People on Tuesday, describing the relationship as one that 'does feel different and more serious.'

'He genuinely cares for her,' the source said. 'They may not be ready to get married, but for the first time Leo is open to a serious future.'

The comments came after DiCaprio and Ceretti, an Italian model, attended the 98th Academy Awards together on 15 March at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. It was the first time in three years of dating that they had appeared at an awards show as a couple.

DiCaprio walked the red carpet alone but was seated beside Ceretti during the ceremony. Both appeared on camera when host Conan O'Brien singled DiCaprio out during his opening monologue, calling him 'the king of memes' and projecting text on screen that read 'TFW you didn't agree to this' as the actor played along.

Source Says DiCaprio More Affectionate With Ceretti Than Ever

The source told People that Ceretti's independence appeals to DiCaprio, particularly given the demands of his schedule. 'Vittoria also has her own life and she's very independent, which is appealing to him, especially when he's away for filming and has long days on set,' the insider said.

Those close to DiCaprio have also observed a shift. The source said he 'is much more openly affectionate with Vittoria than his friends have ever seen him be with any other girlfriends.'

DiCaprio has only occasionally brought partners to the ceremony. He attended with Gisele Bündchen in 2005 and Camila Morrone in 2020. His four-year relationship with Morrone ended in 2022.

DiCaprio's film One Battle After Another, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, won six awards at the ceremony, including Best Picture and Best Director. DiCaprio himself was nominated for Best Actor, his sixth nomination in that category, but the award went to Michael B. Jordan for Sinners.

Ceretti and DiCaprio First Linked in 2023

DiCaprio and Ceretti were first photographed together in Santa Barbara, California, in August 2023, and were later spotted dancing in Ibiza. In the months that followed, they were seen together at Milan Fashion Week, on yacht trips, and at events across Europe and the United States.

A separate source told People in April 2024 that Ceretti was 'very cute, sweet and charming' and that DiCaprio 'seems to really like her.' By September 2025, Ceretti was attending the premiere of One Battle After Another and travelling with DiCaprio during the film's New York press tour. The couple was also among the guests at Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez's wedding in Venice last summer.

Ceretti, who is from Brescia in northern Italy, has a high-profile career in her own right. She served as a flag bearer at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony on 6 February, carrying the Italian flag at San Siro Stadium in Milan. She described the moment as 'the greatest honour of my life' in an Instagram post, according to Hola!. She followed Carla Bruni, who carried the flag at the 2006 Turin Winter Games.

In a March 2025 interview with Vogue France, Ceretti addressed the reality of dating someone with a much larger public profile. She called the scrutiny 'extremely annoying' at times but added: 'If what you're experiencing is real, and you know you love each other, then there's no reason to worry. Because love protects and gives confidence.'

Originally published on IBTimes UK