They met their matches. Zach Braff Florence Pugh have been forced to defend their relationship more than once, but their connection is undeniable.
The ScrubsThe Oscar nominee and alum first started dating rumors when they were first seen holding hands in New York City in April 2019. Following their collaboration on his 2019 short movie, the PDA was witnessed. It takes to get there. They left hints on social media about their status in the months that followed but did not confirm until December 2019.
Pugh clapped back at a troll who called out the age difference between her and Braff — she is 20 years his junior — at the time. She later spoke out about how the negative perceptions surrounding the relationship had affected her.
“I have the right to hang out and be with and go out with anyone I want to,” she explained in her June 2020 Elle UKCover story. “I’ve always found this part of what people do really bizarre. I’m an actor because I like acting and I don’t mind people watching my stuff, but people have no right to educate me on my private life.”
Pugh noted that she and Braff largely keep their personal lives out of the public eye — even going so far as to attend events, such as the December 2019 premiere of her film Little Women, separately. “I know that part of being in the spotlight is that people might invade your privacy and have opinions on it, but it’s bizarre that normal folk are allowed to display such hate and opinions on a part of my life that I’m not putting out there,” she said.
She added: “It’s a strange side of fame that you’re allowed to be torn apart by thousands of people even though you didn’t put that piece of you out there. My point to all this is that isn’t it odd that a stranger can totally tear apart someone’s relationship and it’s allowed?”
Braff, for his part, admitted in a November 2020 interview with MR PORTER that he “chose not to” respond to the trolls because he could not come up with anything as “intelligent and articulate” as the actress’ remarks.
Despite the fact that some people were against them, the pair have continued their support and even given fans glimpses into their lives.
Scroll through the gallery below to revisit Braff and Pugh’s relationship!
