Cooper Koch is stepping into 2025 with love on his arm and a Golden Globe nomination under his belt.
The Monsters actor attended the 2025 Golden Globe Awards with his boyfriend, Stuart McClave.
The couple made their golden red carpet debut, posing for photos at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.
They turned heads with their undeniable chemistry and dashing style.
This Golden Globes moment was extra special for Koch.
He received his first nomination for his role as Erik Menéndez in the hit Netflix series Monsters.
The limited series, which centers on the infamous Menéndez brothers, was a critical success.
It earned multiple nods at this year’s awards show, with fans raving about Koch’s emotional and gripping performance.
Koch’s portrayal of Erik made him a standout in the competitive category for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Limited Series.
Now, let’s talk about that ring!
Koch was spotted last year wearing what appeared to be a wedding band on his left hand.
Naturally, rumors of an engagement spread like wildfire.
However, Koch was quick to set the record straight.
He explained that it wasn’t an engagement ring, but a sentimental piece from his grandfather’s jewelry collection.
In an interview on SiriusXM’s Andy Cohen Live in October 2024, Koch revealed how the ring became special to him.
“We were getting ready for the Emmy Awards, and I didn’t have any jewelry on,” he shared.
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“I put it on my ring finger, and it became this little romantic and protective mechanism.”
Koch joked that he and McClave still need to get McClave a ring.
Despite keeping their romance low-key until now, the pair have attended a few major events together.
They were previously spotted at the LACMA Art+Film Gala in late 2024.
However, this Golden Globes appearance marked a more public “hard launch” for the couple.
The debut cemented them as one of Hollywood’s most buzzworthy LGBTQ+ power pairs.
In addition to his love life, Koch’s dedication to his role in Monsters has been a hot topic.
He admitted that he became fascinated with the Menéndez brothers’ case long before landing the role.
Over the years, he auditioned multiple times for various projects related to the case.
Koch described feeling “obsessed” with the story and how it mirrored parts of his own life.
“I got to the final rounds in both [previous auditions], but I didn’t get it,” he told GQ Australia in a December 2024 interview.
“But I felt like I had to play this part, like it was meant to be.”
Koch said that after watching the Menéndez trial videos for the first time, he knew he had found the role of a lifetime.
Whether it’s on the red carpet or on screen, Koch is clearly on the rise.
With McClave by his side, it seems this rising star is only just getting started.
Here’s to more golden moments—and maybe a golden ring—in 2025!
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