The spotlight has been all over Lucien Laviscount this week. Sure, the anticipation for the fourth season of Netflix’s Emily in Paris – which started filming this past January, according to Variety – is palpable among fans, but the actor has also made headlines as reports suggest he’s dating Colombian singer Shakira.

Lucien Laviscount, who was dubbed “the internet’s boyfriend” by Glamour, is the latest star linked to Shakira. Photo: @shakira/Instagram

Recently, the 31-year-old British actor appeared as Shakira’s love interest in “Puntería”, her latest music video, which also features Cardi B. In it, he stars as a centaur in “a planet where women rule as Amazons”, sharing steamy scenes with the 47-year-old singer in a vivid pink fantasy setting.

Emily in Paris star Lucien Laviscount shares steamy scenes with Shakira in her new music video. The Colombian singer previously dated Gerard Piqué. Photo: @shakira/Instagram

The on-screen pairing has fuelled fan curiosity and speculation – particularly after they were seen having dinner together at Carbone in New York, on March 26, according to E! Online.

Shakira with actor Lucien Laviscount in New York City, in March. Photo: @ShakiraMedia/X

What’s more, some insiders have allegedly revealed the duo is actually dating, but Shakira’s inner circle is apparently afraid he may be only doing it for fame. “Shakira is desperate to fall in love – but her friends are concerned because Lucien has slowly crept his way up the celebrity ladder while dating women who were all less famous than Shakira,” a source told British media.

Lucien Laviscount’s most famous role to date is in Netflix’s Emily in Paris. Photo: @its_lucien/Instagram

If you’re not familiar with the actor – best known for his role in Netflix’s Emily in Paris as Emily (Lily Collins)’s new love interest, Alfie – here’s what we know about Shakira’s reported new boo, once dubbed “the internet’s boyfriend” by Glamour magazine.

Lucien Laviscount has appeared in British TV shows

Lucien Laviscount (centre left) began his acting career with British shows including Coronation Street and Waterloo Road. Photo: Getty Images

Familiar to UK audiences from his roles on ITV’s Coronation Street (2009) and BBC One’s Waterloo Road (2010–11), Laviscount has diversified his career with appearances in Celebrity Big Brother (2011), Scream Queens (2015) and Katy Keene (2020). However, his significant breakthrough came with Emily in Paris (2020), which elevated his international profile.

Alfie (Lucien Laviscount) in French class on season two of Emily in Paris. Photo: Netflix

Next, he’s set to star in the upcoming 2024 romantic comedy This Time Next Year, directed by Nick Moore, the maestro known for editing classics such as Love Actually (2003) and Notting Hill (1999).

He was first scouted when he was 10

Lucien Laviscount’s career began as a child model. Photo: Getty Images

In an interview with Fashion Magazine, Laviscount recounted a story from when he was 10: during a shopping trip with his mother, he boldly asked a teenage shop attendant out. This display of confidence caught the attention of a casting agent also present at the shop. Laviscount’s first job was modelling for a Marks & Spencer children’s clothing line by no other than former professional footballer David Beckham.

David Beckham had a big impact on him

Lucien Laviscount claims it was David Beckham who kick started his acting career. Photo: @its_lucien/Instagram

The M&S campaign didn’t just mark Laviscount’s introduction to the spotlight – it was also where Beckham himself saw a spark in the budding talent. The football legend, impressed by Laviscount’s charisma, suggested he pursue acting. Beckham even had an assistant contact an acting school in Manchester on Laviscount’s behalf – a gesture that set the wheels in motion for Laviscount’s acting career, per British media.

He released a single in 2012