When Leonardo DiCaprio was spotted partying with Indian-British fashion model Neelam Gill last week, it set media and fans into a frenzy. Many were quick to jump to conclusions, wondering – is she the latest woman to capture the Hollywood darling’s notoriously hard-to-obtain heart?
Leonardo DiCaprio and Neelam Gill in Porto Cervo, Sardinia. pic.twitter.com/U1gEdu5y3e
— @21metgala (@21metgala) July 28, 2023
Sorry folks, but no. Gill took to her Instagram Stories soon after the photos appeared online, writing: “Just to clear up any rumours … I am not Leonardo DiCaprio’s ‘new flame’. In fact, I am in a committed relationship with his good friend, and have been for many months now. The only reason we have been pictured in the same vicinity is because I have been there with my partner. I hope this clears up all the false stories.”
Glad that’s cleared up. But hey, considering Leo’s history of dating beautiful models, from Gisele Bündchen to Naomi Campbell and most recently, Gigi Hadid, we can hardly blame netizens for assuming he might’ve had a fling going on.
Beyond romance rumours, Gill has been making waves in the fashion industry too. Here’s what we know about her …
Neelam Gill is a 28-year-old fashion model and spokesperson
Born in Coventry, England, Neelam Kaur Gill is a multitalented figure who has made her mark as a distinguished fashion model, brand ambassador and eloquent spokesperson. Her grandparents are from India and belong to the Sikh community of the Indian state of Punjab, per The Economic Times.
According to her Instagram bio, she is currently represented by Fusion Models in New York, and entertainment group Fae Grp, among other agencies.
She has worked with various fashion magazines and luxury brands
Gill was featured in Vogue India in 2014. In an interview with The Guardian, she shared her humble beginnings of being scouted by various modelling agencies since she was 14.
In 2015, she became the first model of Indian origin to front an Abercrombie & Fitch campaign. Gill wrote on Instagram that working with A&F was a dream come true, describing her experience as “surreal and humbling”.
The Indian-British beauty would go on to model in runway shows and campaigns for other household names in the industry, including Balmain, Dior, Armani, Bulgari, Fendi and more.
She was the first Indian model in a Burberry campaign
Adding to the growing list of global brands she has worked with, the London-based model made history as the first Indian talent to be featured by Burberry, appearing in the brand’s beauty campaign in 2014. She shared a photo on her Instagram with a heartfelt caption and thanked the brand for supporting diversity.
Gill has been very vocal about her stances on issues including mental health, domestic abuse and inclusion in the industry over the years. In 2022, the stunning model gave a shout-out to Bridgerton stars Simone Ashley and Charithra Chandran for their talents.
“Cheers to being a brown girl. Cheers to being unapologetic. Cheers to taking up space. Words can’t even express how happy it makes me to see brown girls thriving in whichever path they choose to take in life,” she wrote on Instagram.
She maintains an active presence, both online and offline
In addition to her active presence on Instagram, Gill has also dipped her toe into YouTube too. She notably shared her exclusive “Off-Duty Beauty” guide on Vogue’s platform, showcasing her expertise and influence in the beauty community.
She also seems to love the beach, as she was reportedly spotted on a carefree getaway trip with a friend in Sardinia.
Leonardo DiCaprio, 48, enjoys another day out with rumoured flame Neelam Gill, 28, as they join Tobey Maguire for a yacht trip in St. Tropez https://t.co/hDSZ33Y5zx pic.twitter.com/iobKe69ePo
— Josiah Williams (@Josiah_FL) July 25, 2023
She has been spotted partying and dining with Leonardo DiCaprio
Rumour mills started swirling back in May, when celebrity news sites reported that the model dined with the famed Hollywood actor and his mum, Irmelin Indenbirken, in London.
Then, in June, the upcoming Killers of the Flower Moon lead star was photographed turning the party up in London with Gill and fellow model Maya Jama, per British media.
Exclusive photos were also obtained of DiCaprio, his good friend Tobey Maguire, Gill and a mysterious woman boarding a lavish yacht off the coast of the French Riviera in July.
And although the romance rumours have since been debunked by Gill herself, she did reveal that she is in fact in a “committed relationship” with one of Leo’s pals – and we hope to hear more details once Gill is ready to share them.
Note: This story was originally published on SCMP and has been republished on this website.
