It’s likely unintentional – maybe just a coincidence, or a reflection of the people they’ve spent their lives around. But once you see it, it’s hard to unsee.
For some celebrities, that sense of familiarity shows up in an unexpected way: their romantic partners bear an uncanny resemblance to their siblings.
The reasons include psychological phenomena such as in-group bias, implicit egotism, the familiarity effect, sexual imprinting and more.
This phenomenon has gained so much attention that it has sparked a game called ‘Siblings or Dating’ that is played on various social media platforms.
Presented with a photo of two people who look remarkably similar, the viewer is asked to guess whether they are related, or in a relationship. The latter answer proves to be correct more often than you might think, sometimes in disturbing ways.
Past research has found that people pick partners who they recognise as looking like their parents, however this may well extend to their sisters or brothers too.
A study found that there was ‘clear evidence for perceptual similarity in facial photographs of a woman’s partner and her brother’. It found that women are four times more likely to find a man attractive if he looks like their brother.
The researchers found that ‘although siblings themselves are sexually aversive, sibling resemblance is not’, published in Evolution and Human Behaviour.
This is certainly the case for this batch of stars who found love with partners who look strikingly like they could be related, bearing similar likenesses and features.
Over time there are plenty of examples of this among celebrities. Brad Pitt and Gwyneth Paltrow, who dated from 1994 to 1997, shared their blonde hair, blue eyes, sharp cheekbones and powerful jaw shape.
Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater
Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater pictured together February 2025
Frankie Grande and his sister Ariana in 2016
Ariana and her ex-husband Dalton Gomez
Ariana Grande and her boyfriend Ethan Slater began dating after meeting on the set of Wicked, hitting the headlines when they split from their respective spouses.
Ethan, 31, left his ex-wife Lily Jay just shortly after the birth of their son and began a romance with Ariana, 30, causing upset amongst their fanbase.
Ariana addressed the backlash in her track Yes, And? which included the lyrics: ‘Your business is yours and mine is mine/Why do you care so much whose d*** I ride?’
As well as their relationship getting fans talking, Ethan’s striking similarity to Ariana’s brother has also set tongues wagging since their first stepped out together.
Online critics have branded Ethan her ‘literal sibling’, with comparisons drawn to her real life brother Frankie Grande.
Similar comments were made about Ariana’s ex Dalton Gomez, who she was married to for nearly three years before meeting Ethan.
When the couple announced their engagement, fans were quick to point out Dalton’s striking similarities to his fiance’s brother Frankie.
One Twitter user wrote: ‘Aw I’m so happy for Ariana Grande – even if Dalton looks like he could be her brother…’
While another questioned: ‘Why does Dalton look like he could be Ariana’s brother and a Natalie Portman impersonator/double?’
Weighing in on their likeness, Anastasia Koles, advanced aesthetic nurse and founder of ALTA Medispa, said: ”Ariana’s ex-fiancé Dalton and her brother Frankie both carry that youthful, delicate bone structure.
‘Their smooth foreheads, softly angled jaws, and expressive eyes give them a similar facial flow.
‘It’s less about exact duplication and more about shared proportions that make them look related.”
Wyatt Russell and Meredith Hagner
Wyatt Russell’s wife Meredith is often noted for resembling his half-sister, Kate Hudson
This resemblance was particularly highlighted at the Critics Choice Awards where they both appeared this year, leading to numerous comments about their similarity
Wyatt Russell’s wife Meredith is often noted for resembling his half-sister, Kate Hudson.
This resemblance was particularly highlighted at the Critics Choice Awards where they both appeared this year, leading to numerous comments about their similarity.
The two stars presented the award for Best Acting Ensemble to Conclave, which was accepted by leading man Ralph Fiennes.
Many suggested they even look like twins, thanks to their bouncy blonde hair and pretty faces with shared features.
One person on Reddit, said: ‘I think Meredith looks a lot like Kate Hudson. Does anyone else think that? Then I found out she’s married to Kate’s half-brother, Wyatt Russell Crazy!’
Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan
Mark Wright and his wife of 10 years Michelle Keegan
Mark’s sister Jessica Wright with him in 2010
Mark Wright is another well known name who has picked a partner with more than a slight resemblance to his family members.
The former TOWIE star, 38, has been married to his actress wife, also 38, for 10 years after first meeting at the end of 2012.
Since they’ve been together, fans have commented on how Michelle looks like Mark’s sister Jessica, 39, thanks to their dark locks and delicate features.
It was previously reported that Jessica said it’s ‘lovely to be compared to Michelle [Keegan]’, who was awarded ‘sexiest female’ 12 times at the Soap Awards.
Just before her 2015 wedding, Michelle also beat out the likes of Kendall Jenner and Jennifer Lawrence to be named world’s sexiest woman.
One social media user tweeted: ‘Michelle Keegan looks like Mark Wright’s sister. #Creepy.’
The expert said: ‘Michelle and Jess share a striking aesthetic – dark, glossy hair, defined eyes, and flawless complexions.
‘What links them most is facial balance: both have strong cheekbones and symmetrical lower faces, which is often a marker of classic beauty.
‘It’s easy to see why people notice the resemblance.’
Orlando Bloom and Miranda Kerr
Miranda Kerr and actor Orlando Bloom pictured during their romance
Orlando’s mother with him and his sister Samantha in 2005
While he has recently split from his partner of nine years, Katy Perry, before this he was married to model Miranda Kerr, who he shares son Flynn, 14, with.
The former couple were married for three years before going their separate ways in 2013 and now remain amicable for the sake of their child.
Before they split, Miranda was compared to Orlando’s sister Samantha Bloom due to their unusual but stunning heart-shaped faces.
Dr Hayder Ria, aesthetic doctor and founder of Harley Street Dermal, said: ‘Miranda and Samantha both have heart shaped faces, which means wider foreheads and slimmer chins.
‘Add in their glowing skin and big, smiley eyes, and the likeness is hard to miss. They share that very fresh, youthful look.”
Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik
Gigi Hadid and her ex-boyfriend Zayn Malik
Gigi with her brother Anwar and their sister Bella in 2015
Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik co-parent their daughter Khai after dating on and off for six years between 2015 and 2021.
While Gigi has now publicly moved on with actor Bradley Cooper, comparisons are still drawn between Zayn and Gigi’s brother Anwar Hadid.
Anwar has also had some high profile relationships, he dated Brooklyn Beckham’s wife Nicola Peltz before romancing Dua Lipa before she met Callum Turner.
Highlighting their similarities, one person said: ‘Anwar and Zayn look so alike, you wouldn’t be able to tell their feet apart!’
Dr Ria said: ‘Zayn and Anwar both have sharp jawlines, defined brows and that same intense gaze.
‘Their angular features make them look alike in photos, especially because they both carry that model style aesthetic.’
Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin
Gwyneth Paltrow and her ex-husband Chris Martin in 2014
Gwyneth and her brother Jake
After famously having one of the most good-natured splits in showbiz history when they ‘consciously uncoupled’, comparisons have also been drawn between Chris and Gwyneth’s brother Jake.
Hollywood actress Gwyneth, 52, and the Coldplay star, 48, were married for 10 years prior to their 2014 split. They share children Apple, 21, and Moses, 19.
In the past, one person spotted the uncanny similarity, and tweeted: ‘Is it me, or does Gweneth Paltrow’s brother look an awful lot like her ex-husband, Chris Martin?’
Dr Ria said: ‘Chris and Jake have almost identical face shapes.
‘They both have longer oval proportions, rounded chins and similar colouring, which gives the impression they could be related.
‘The resemblance is very strong when you look at them side by side.”
