The Real-Life Partners Of The Leading Ladies In The Hunger Games Universe

In the fictional, dystopian world of "The Hunger Games" franchise, the course of true love never seems to run smoothly. There are love triangles and eleventh-hour betrayals, paranoia, and tragedy. On the surface, the books are about war and oppression — not love — so it makes sense that the marriage plots are secondary and don't get tied up easily. "I like to think that the romance aspect was used to show that, at the end of the day, all the characters are humans. With feelings and dreams," wrote one Reddit commenter. "It helps to show that war isn't fought by willing participants who WANT to be inhumane killing machines. More often than not, they're people like you and me."

But the romantic lives of the series's leading ladies appear to be far happier. Some of "The Hunger Games" stars are happily married, while others are enjoying blossoming new love. Some have even welcomed families.

While Katniss might be torn between Peeta and Gale in "The Hunger Games" movies, actress Jennifer Lawrence's real love story with husband Cooke Maroney has run far simpler. Speaking to Entertainment Tonight in 2019, she revealed that marrying him "was a very, very easy decision." She later expanded in an episode of the "Naked with Catt Sadler" podcast. "We wanted to marry each other, we wanted to commit fully," she revealed with her signature frankness. "He's my best friend. I want to legally bind him to me forever. And fortunately, the paperwork exists for such a thing. It's the greatest. You find your favorite person on the planet, and you're like, 'You can't leave!'"

Unlike Lawrence, Maroney isn't an actor; he's an art dealer. "He's definitely respected. He's not a big player, but he's a player," an anonymous source told The Cut. "He's a very good art dealer, and I expect a fruitful career out of him." Another source shared with People that Maroney being outside the Hollywood machine likely helps their relationship, saying, "I think he really keeps her on her toes and he doesn't treat her like a celebrity like the other boyfriends did." It's also safe to assume he supported Lawrence when she flawlessly stood up to gender equality. The pair have been connected since mid-2018, when they reportedly were introduced by a mutual friend, and were wed in a lavish 2019 ceremony in Newport, Rhode Island. They have two children together as of 2025.

Rachel Zegler, who plays Lucy Gray Baird in "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" prequel, hard launched her relationship with professional dancer Nathan Louis-Fernand at a July 2025 Sabrina Carpenter concert, where the pair was photographed kissing. Among other shows, Louis-Fernand danced in the London productions of "Magic Mike Live" and "Hamilton." He also appeared in the West End staging of "Evita" alongside Zegler. An anonymous source told People that the couple felt an "instant connection." "She brings a very energetic and passionate energy to the production," explained the source. "Nathan's attracted to this." Beneath a carousel of paparazzi shots of Louis-Fernand and Zegler out for a stroll, one Redditor commented, "I don't know who I'm more jealous of."

It's not the first time Zegler has dated a coworker. In addition to her newer relationship with Louis-Fernand, she previously dated Josh Andrés Rivera, who starred with Zegler in "West Side Story" and "The Ballads of Songbirds and Snakes." The pair dated for several years, but broke up in 2024.

Actress Elizabeth Banks, who plays the flamboyant Effie Trinket, married her college sweetheart, Max Handelman, in 2003. The pair met as students at the University of Pennsylvania, with Handelman first noticing Banks' photo in a physical Facebook. "We just kind of kept hanging out and we're still hanging out," Banks said on the Kelly Clarkson Show in 2025. "And it's been 33 years." Not that she looks old enough to have been married for more than 30 years, and Banks' secrets to aging gracefully couldn't be more simple. She shared that she's proud of the longevity of her relationship. The pair also has two children together.

Though Handelman formerly worked as an investment banker, he eventually pivoted to a career in the film industry alongside Banks, in part so the couple could spend more time together. "We have always made decisions that kept us together as a couple," Banks told Vanity Fair in 2016. "We like working together. We're good at working together." Together, the couple founded Brownstone Productions, which is responsible for films like "Pitch Perfect" and "Cocaine Bear."

As of 2025, Elle Fanning, who portrays young Effie Trinket in "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping," is dating Gus Wenner, the chief executive officer of Rolling Stone. Fanning has undergone a stunning style transformation since her days as a child actor, and a handsome boyfriend appears to be part of the glow-up. While some famous couples opt to keep their romantic lives private, it appears Fanning is all about shouting her love from the rooftops. "If your partner doesn't post you on Instagram, that's a red flag," Fanning stated in a 2025 interview with Vanity Fair. "I love my boyfriend, and we're going to post each other."

That sort of enthusiasm is unsurprising from Fanning since the actress is, by her own description, a huge fan of love. "I'm a hopeless romantic. I believe in love at first sight," Fanning told Harper's Bazaar in 2023. "Call me crazy, but I believe in those things. I feel that it's my destiny." It appears Wenner took her at face value since he shared his enthusiasm for his partner in a sweet Instagram post: a video of Fanning with the caption, "Everyday is valentines day my love."