Who Is Vanessa Kirby’s Boyfriend? All About Paul Rabil

Vanessa Kirby has a supportive partner in Paul Rabil.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps star and the former pro lacrosse player, who retired in 2021, first sparked dating rumors in October 2022 and have since kept their relationship mostly under wraps.

During their first public appearance together at Rabil’s induction ceremony into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in January 2025, he gave the British actress a special shoutout.

The Maryland native explained in his acceptance speech that he hit “a personal and professional rock bottom” at 28 and began going to therapy after getting into sports psychology via his brother, Mike.

Rabil, who was previously married to fellow lacrosse player Kelly Berger, shared that through the “difficult journey,” he learned “how to become more whole,” among other lessons, but “at many moments,” he wasn’t sure where it was leading him, “until I met my partner Vanessa.”

“I learned that I did all that work to become whole so that we could build a life together,” he said.

So who is Vanessa Kirby’s boyfriend? Here’s everything to know about Paul Rabil and his relationship with the actress.

Rabil grew up in Maryland

Rabil was born on Dec. 14, 1985, to parents Allan and Jean Rabil and grew up in Gaithersburg, Md.

“I grew up in Maryland, which is considered one of the hotbeds for lacrosse, but the area that I grew up in, in Maryland actually didn’t have much lacrosse,” Rabil told PEOPLE in August 2020. “So I started playing when I was 12, which on the spectrum for like young athletes is relatively late.”

He continued, “I was introduced to the sport through my neighbor who gave me his backup equipment and I tried it out and I wasn’t very good at it. I actually was pretty bad.”

After graduating from DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Md., he began attending Johns Hopkins University in 2005. Rabil was on the lacrosse team during high school and college, and graduated from the university in 2008.

He is a former professional lacrosse player

In May 2008, Rabil was drafted to the Major League Lacrosse (MLL) by the Boston Cannons in the first round as the first overall pick. He was traded in 2015 to the New York Lizards, where he played until 2018.

In addition to the MLL, Rabil also played in the National Lacrosse League (NLL). He was originally drafted by the San Jose Stealth and stayed with the team when they moved to Washington and became the Washington Stealth, but was traded in 2012. He played his final NLL season in 2013 with the Philadelphia Wings.

Rabil founded the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) in 2018 with his older brother Mike. The league’s first season began in June 2019, with Rabil playing for the Atlas Lacrosse Club. In December 2020, the PLL and MLL merged, operating under the PLL brand.

Rabil was traded to the Cannons Lacrosse Club in 2021, and announced his retirement from playing lacrosse professionally at the end of the season to focus on his role as president of the PLL.

Throughout his professional career, he was a two-time NCAA champion, two-time World Lacrosse Champion and three-time MVP among many other accolades.

Rabil and Kirby started dating in 2022

Kirby and Rabil first sparked dating rumors in October 2022 when they were seen holding hands in New York City, as the Daily Mail reported at the time.

Rabil revealed in an Instagram post in 2023 that he and Kirby met in Des Moines, Iowa, but did not share more about how or exactly when their relationship began.

Kirby is supportive of him

Kirby was by Rabil’s side when he was inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in January 2025 as a member of the 2024 class. The inductee shared a series of photos to his Instagram, including one of Kirby standing arm-in-arm on stage with Rabil and his parents and siblings.

“This was a weekend I’ll never forget. From my first day with a stick to now, it was my greatest honor playing this game,” he captioned the post. “To my family, coaches, teammates, and fellow Hall of Famers, I share this honor with you. It would’ve been impossible without you. Thank you for everything.”

In another photo, Kirby’s sister Juliet Kirby posed on the red carpet with the couple.

They tend to be a private couple

Rabil actively shares many aspects of his professional life on Instagram, but he hasn’t revealed much about his relationship with Kirby.

In November 2023, the two first made their romance public when Rabil shared a series of sweet photos together on Instagram.

“from the very minute we first met in des moines, around the world and back, life is far better, more purposeful and more beautiful with you ❤️,” he wrote in the caption.

They are expecting their first child together

Kirby first confirmed she was pregnant when she walked the red carpet in a form-fitting dress for the CCXPMX Film Festival in Mexico City in May 2025. While posing, she cradled her bump.

A few weeks later, Rabil shared the happy news on Instagram alongside a photo of him holding her stomach.

“Some news…life’s greatest adventure is beginning soon,” he wrote in the caption. “We’re very grateful for your love and support. Especially the advice. Mum’s a superhero. I’m just really lucky.”

He is interested in fashion

Aside from lacrosse, Rabil is also interested in fashion.

“I try to imagine and create either a combo of Euro sport, American streetwear and NY runway fashion, or choose one and go all-in,” he told PEOPLE in 2019. “Most of what I wear starts with either a fashion trend, geography or show concept, then into product fit, then color and accessories.”

He explained that he does most of his own styling “for better or worse,” but also has “a number of style icons” that “stylize with purpose and mission” he looks to for inspiration, including fellow athletes David Beckham, Michael Jordan and Tom Brady, plus musicians like Lady Gaga and Pharrell Williams.