Vanessa Kirby may be dazzling fans with her Marvel debut as Sue Storm in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, but it’s her off-screen glow that’s capturing equal attention. As she embraces impending motherhood and a thriving Hollywood career, curiosity around her relationship with former lacrosse star and entrepreneur Paul Rabil has intensified.
Baby Bump and Silver Rings Spark Speculation
During the red carpet photocall for The Fantastic Four: First Steps in Mexico, Vanessa Kirby proudly cradled her baby bump, drawing attention not just to her pregnancy but also to the sparkling silver rings on her fingers—fueling speculation about her relationship status. With the spotlight now turning to her personal life, all eyes are on her partner, former lacrosse star-turned-entrepreneur Paul Rabil.
A Low-Key Love Story Since 2022
Vanessa Kirby and Paul Rabil were first romantically linked in 2022, but it wasn’t until November 2023 that the couple made their relationship Instagram official. Rabil, once a lacrosse powerhouse at Johns Hopkins University, went on to win World Lacrosse championships and compete in both the MLL and NLL. In 2018, he co-founded the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) with his brother Mike, later retiring in 2021 to fully focus on his business ventures.
How They Met?
In a 2023 Instagram post, Paul Rabil shared that he met Vanessa Kirby in Des Moines, Iowa, though he kept further details about their relationship private. The couple was first publicly spotted together during a romantic stroll in New York City, with photos later published by The Daily Mail. Prior to dating Rabil, Kirby was linked to her Queen and Country co-star, actor Callum Turner. As for Rabil, he was previously married to fellow lacrosse player Kelly Berger, with their marriage lasting from 2014 to 2017.
Engagement Rumours
According to Page Six, Vanessa Kirby got engaged to Paul Rabil two years into their relationship, with the news surfacing in December 2024. Despite the milestone, the couple has largely kept their romance low-key. Rather than indulging in grand public gestures, they’ve chosen to nurture their bond with quiet affection and mutual respect. In April, Kirby gave fans a rare peek into their relationship by posting endearing photos from a romantic getaway, showcasing the couple sharing intimate, heartfelt moments together.The couple made their first public appearance together at Paul Rabil’s National Lacrosse Hall of Fame induction in January 2025. During his emotional acceptance speech, Rabil expressed gratitude to Vanessa Kirby for standing by him through life’s challenges. Though the duo hasn’t officially confirmed their engagement, they seem to be embracing parenthood before marriage—choosing a deeply personal journey over traditional milestones.
Marvel Magic Meets Real-Life Motherhood
Though Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby have drawn attention throughout The Fantastic Four press tour for their quirky on-screen dynamic, it was Kirby who stole the spotlight for a far more heartwarming reason. At the film’s photocall in Mexico City in May 2025, the actress revealed her first pregnancy—cradling her baby bump in a moment that beautifully echoed her character Sue Storm’s storyline, who is also expecting in the film.Adding to the sweet reveal, Kirby’s partner Paul Rabil took to Instagram to celebrate the news, sharing a photo and the caption, “Mum’s a superhero,” perfectly blending real life with Marvel magic.This real-life milestone adds a touching meta-layer to Vanessa Kirby’s Marvel debut. As she steps into the role of Sue Storm—a brilliant scientist and fiercely protective mother-to-be—Kirby brings an added depth drawn from her own experience of impending motherhood.
A Deeper Connection to Sue Storm
Kirby’s Sue Storm is expecting her first child, Franklin Richards, with Reed Richards in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. The parallel between her on-screen character and off-screen journey makes her portrayal all the more resonant.On Late Night with Seth Meyers, Vanessa Kirby shared that wearing a weighted prosthetic belly on set helped her better connect with the experience of pregnancy, despite the discomfort.Looks like Vanessa Kirby and Paul Rabil’s downtime is on pause as they gear up for parenthood. Professionally, Kirby is entering a whirlwind phase—her MCU debut as Sue Storm arrives on July 25, 2025, in the much-anticipated Fantastic Four reboot. With major follow-ups like Avengers: Doomsday (2026) and Secret Wars (2027) already on the slate, Kirby is heading into one of the busiest—and most transformative—chapters of her life.Meanwhile, Paul Rabil has smoothly shifted from athlete to executive, now leading the Premier Lacrosse League as its president. As the couple prepares to welcome their first child, their low-key relationship continues to flourish—rooted in mutual respect and growing stronger as they build the foundation for their new family.
