Channing Matthew Tatum’s rise from a small-town Alabama kid to Hollywood A-lister is the kind of story that feels too good to be true. Born on April 26, 1980, in Cullman, Alabama, Tatum got his start in the spotlight as a model. But it wasn’t long before he charmed his way – quite literally – onto the big screen. His breakout role in Step Up rode on both his acting ability and his now-famous dance moves, setting the tone for a career that would be anything but ordinary. With films like Magic Mike, he proved he was more than a heartthrob – he was a bona fide star who knew how to have fun along the way.
What’s always set Tatum apart is how relatable he seems, even when he’s playing larger-than-life roles. Watch any interview, and you’ll see it: he’s quick to crack a joke at his own expense and rarely takes himself too seriously. Despite his Hollywood success, he has this easygoing, down-to-earth vibe that’s hard not to root for.
Off-screen, Tatum is famously devoted to his daughter Everly, whom he shares with his ex-wife, actress and dancer Jenna Dewan. He’s spoken honestly about the ups and downs of co-parenting after divorce, once telling Vanity Fair, “I was just afraid to go out with a single mom, you know what I mean? And now I realize it’s just another part of life.” It’s the kind of candidness you rarely hear from A-listers, and it makes his story all the more human.
Tatum’s love life, much like his filmography, has had its share of plot twists. He met Jenna Dewan on the set of Step Up in 2005, and their chemistry was anything but scripted. They married in 2009 and welcomed Everly in 2013. After nearly a decade together, they announced their separation in 2018 and finalized their divorce a year later.
After his split from Dewan, Tatum had an on-again, off-again relationship with British singer Jessie J that lasted until early 2020. He didn’t shy away from the heartache, later admitting to GQ, “Breakups suck, man. They really do.”
In 2021, Tatum’s name popped up in the tabloids again – this time with Zoë Kravitz. The two first connected during casting for Kravitz’s directorial debut, Blink Twice. Reports swirled of a possible engagement in 2023, but by late 2024, word was out that they’d gone their separate ways. Tatum, for his part, appears to be focusing his attention these days on work and fatherhood rather than dating.
Rumors have linked him to a handful of other famous faces – Sandra Bullock, after their playful chemistry in The Lost City, and Amber Heard among them – but nothing substantiated ever came of the gossip. Tatum himself seems to take it all in stride, showing an openness about his personal life that’s rare in Hollywood. In a 2022 interview with Vanity Fair, he confessed, “I know that I liked being in relationships. I really do. I’m kind of a serial monogamist.”
Fans have noticed that, unlike some stars who guard their privacy fiercely, Tatum usually steers clear of drama and speaks respectfully about his exes – especially Dewan, with whom he continues to co-parent their daughter. “We started out as friends, and I think we’ll always be friends,” he once said, summing up his optimistic outlook.
Past Relationships
Inka Williams
Zoë Kravitz
Jessie J
Jenna Dewan
Alexa Nikolas
Now well into his 40s, Tatum’s taken on a more laid-back approach to love and life. Those close to him say he’s more interested in real connection than headline-making romance these days. Whatever the future holds, he seems content putting his daughter, his passion for storytelling, and a sense of true happiness at the forefront. After all, for Channing Tatum, the plot just keeps getting better – and he wouldn’t have it any other way.