Romance Rewind: Ryan Reynolds and Alanis Morissette’s Unlikely Relationship, Engagement

It’s hard to believe that there was ever a time when Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively weren’t joined at the hip, but way back in the early ‘00s, Reynolds had another high-profile partner: Alanis Morissette, one of the most successful female musicians of the ’90s. In fact, they were even engaged. And the couple weren’t shy about their love, PDA-ing all over every red carpet that would have them.

This is cuter than any Marvel origin story — they met at Drew Barrymore’s 27th birthday party! The year was 2002 and while “You Oughta Know” singer Morissette, 28 at the time, was five albums into her music career, Reynolds, then 25, was a little less established. He had starred in Two Guys and A Girl and was about to find success through Van Wilder, but wasn’t quite the household name and big box office draw he is today.

After being introduced at the birthday bash, the pair bonded over being single, cute — and Canadian! “We already started off with the shorthand, so I think it’s a really great base,” said Morrissette, who began her showbiz career as a teen actress. “I attempted dating many American men. I tried!” Within a few months of first meeting, they were a certified celebrity couple.