Model Gigi Paris has officially stepped into a new romance with former NFL star Cooper Helfet, making their red carpet debut at the Angel Ball, two years after her much-publicized breakup with actor Glen Powell and the subsequent media storm involving his co-star Sydney Sweeney.
The spotlight recently turned to Gigi Paris, the acclaimed model and Jijou Paris fashion designer, as she publicly debuted her new romance with retired NFL star Cooper Helfet. Their appearance at the 27th annual Angel Ball in New York City on October 27, 2025, marks a significant and joyful turning point for Paris, two years after her high-profile split from actor Glen Powell.
For fans who followed the intricate narrative of her past relationship, this new chapter offers a fresh perspective, highlighting Paris’s journey of healing and moving forward. The debut not only confirmed a new love but also symbolically closed a turbulent period of speculation and public scrutiny that surrounded her previous breakup.
A Dazzling Debut at the Angel Ball
At the prestigious Angel Ball, an event hosted by Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research, Gigi Paris, 33, looked radiant in a champagne-colored dress, complemented by a simple bejeweled necklace. By her side, Cooper Helfet, 36, cut a dashing figure in a dark suit paired with a yellow tie, his arm protectively around Paris as they navigated the red carpet. According to a report by People, the couple was openly affectionate throughout the evening, sharing conversations and moments of public display of affection.
Paris herself shared a red carpet photo on her Instagram story with the caption “papi iii ;)” signaling her delight in the new relationship. The event provided a fitting backdrop for the couple to officially introduce their romance to the public, marking a clear and confident step forward for Paris.
Revisiting the Glen Powell & Sydney Sweeney Saga
The news of Gigi Paris’s new relationship naturally brings back memories of her highly publicized split from Glen Powell, 37, which occurred in April 2023 after three years of dating. Their breakup became a major talking point amidst swirling rumors of an on-set affair between Powell and his Anyone But You co-star, Sydney Sweeney.
While a source told People that the split was due to recurring issues and the strain of a long-distance relationship, particularly during Powell’s filming in Australia, fan speculation intensified. The rumors were further fueled by reports that Paris had unfollowed Sweeney on social media, though another source clarified to People that this was because Sweeney “never followed her back,” and that Paris was “aware that Glen and Sydney never hooked up.” The distance and Powell’s intense work ethic were cited as key factors in the relationship’s demise.
Gigi Paris Breaks Her Silence
In June 2023, Gigi Paris finally addressed the breakup on Emma Klipstein’s Too Much podcast. She candidly revealed that their relationship had been struggling for six months prior to the official split. Paris described having two options amid the online speculation about Powell and Sweeney:
- Pretend everything was fine and endure endless rumors.
- Stand up for herself and walk away.
She chose the latter, stating, “I was shattered.” Paris recounted the exact moment she knew it was over: a phone call from Powell telling her not to come to Australia for work, despite her travel plans. She went anyway, determined to break up with him in person. The situation became “very bizarre” as she was then reportedly “not allowed near set” during her two-week stay for her own jobs.
Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney Reflect on the Media Frenzy
Both Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney have since weighed in on the period of intense media scrutiny. In a September 2025 interview with GQ, Powell addressed Paris’s comments, stating, “I will always have nothing but love for her and respect for her.” He added, “Everybody’s always going to have their own narrative on things and all that. And she’s welcome to it. Relationships are really hard. And when two people break up, they each go to their own brunch and they will each tell their own narrative.”
Sydney Sweeney, 28, also shared her perspective in an October 2025 interview with Variety, insisting that she and Powell did not fuel the romance rumors. “The press did it to themselves,” Sweeney claimed, elaborating, “There was no leaning in, per se. Truly the tabloids and journalists just created it and kept going. Even if we were just standing next to each other, it was ‘They’re standing two inches apart!’” She concluded by saying, “Glen and I genuinely care for each other and have a love and respect for one another. I love being with him. And I think people just truly saw a really beautiful pairing.”
Introducing Cooper Helfet: From Gridiron to Red Carpet
Gigi Paris’s new boyfriend, Cooper Helfet, brings a compelling background to the public eye. A former NFL tight end, Helfet played college football for Duke University before being signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2012. He was a member of the Seahawks team that triumphed over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII at the end of the 2013 season. His NFL career also included a stint with the Oakland Raiders from 2016 to 2017.
Helfet eventually stepped away from the game in 2018 due to “unfortunate injuries,” as he revealed in a social media post at the time. He expressed profound gratitude for his “seven years of pro ball,” calling it “the dream you imagine it to be in every way.” Now, Helfet trades football stadiums for red carpets, joining Paris in this new chapter.
A New Beginning for Gigi Paris
The debut of Gigi Paris’s relationship with Cooper Helfet signifies a powerful personal narrative of moving on and finding happiness after a challenging public experience. For fans and observers, it underscores the resilience required to navigate high-profile relationships and breakups under the intense glare of public scrutiny. As Paris embarks on this new romance, it’s clear she is embracing her worth and stepping confidently into a well-deserved new beginning.
