With Outer Banks Season 4, Part 2 dropping on Nov. 7, I am totally swooning over Rudy Pankow, who plays the fearless and sometimes reckless JJ Maybank, but it’s his real-life relationship with Elaine Siemek that’s giving me all the feels.
Rudy’s character, JJ, is the ultimate loyal friend to John B. (Chase Stokes), and in real life, Rudy’s no different when it comes to his loyalty — especially to his girlfriend, Elaine Siemek.
The two first crossed paths on the Outer Banks set in 2019, where Siemek worked as an assistant to showrunner Jonas Pate, TheyGossip.com reports.
It didn’t take long for the sparks to fly between Rudy and Elaine, who quickly went from co-workers to a couple, turning their behind-the-scenes friendship into a love story that has been as strong and enduring as JJ’s bond with his Pogues.
Their connection blossomed off-screen as they spent more time together on set, sharing laughs, support, and some of the most adorable moments that have us swooning.
Elaine has been a major support for Rudy, cheering him on throughout his rise to stardom.
Meanwhile, Rudy often shares sweet glimpses of their relationship on social media, from subtle shoutouts to fun adventures they’ve had together.
Rudy Pankow and Elanie Siemek
The two also share a love of the outdoors, with pictures from their trips to the beach and cozy date nights showing their fun and down-to-earth vibe.
So you know what time it is don’t you? Time to dive into their relationship timeline and cutest moments as a couple!!
Rudy and Elanie’s Timeline and Cutest Moments
Rudy Pankow and Elaine Siemek went Insta-official when Rudy dedicated a birthday post to Elaine, giving fans their first peek into their low-key romance.
Since then, the couple has kept most of their relationship private, but this post made it clear they had something special.
August 2021
The darker side of online fame reared its head when Elaine faced some major online hate from Rudy’s fans.
But in true Pogue spirit, Rudy didn’t hesitate to defend his girl. Taking to Instagram, he wrote, “Unfortunately I’m here to call out the disrespect and harassment someone who I love dearly is getting on a daily basis…”
He emphasized how absurd it was for strangers to make accusations about someone they don’t know and reminded fans that his relationship, while private, was something he cherished.
Elanie and Rudy have been together for two years now
September and November 2022
The couple took a break from the daily grind to travel and live their best lives. First stop: Italy! Elaine shared snapshots from their dreamy trip to Paraggi Portofino, with Rudy capturing some beautiful moments.
Just two months later, they jetted to Mexico, where they embraced the magic of Día de Muertos carnivals, climbed the Teotihuacan pyramids, and even got a close-up look at the restoration of a Mayan artifact.
Elaine’s photos were nothing short of breathtaking, and it was clear they fell in love with Mexico City’s energy.
February 2023
The final stop on their mini-world tour? French Polynesia. The couple soaked up the sun on the island of Moorea, where they couldn’t resist the beach vibes.
Elaine posted photos of their tropical paradise that had us all dreaming of sandy shores and crystal-clear waters.
October 2024
While their whirlwind travels might have slowed, Rudy’s support for Elaine has never wavered.
In an interview with Cosmopolitan just before Outer Banks Season 4, Part 2, he opened up about the complexity of social media, especially after the hate Elaine received.
Rudy and Elanie
Rudy explained, “People can intertwine a narrative and what they want to believe…That’s why I spoke up—no one should go through something like that.”
He acknowledged the strange blur between fiction and reality for some fans, reminding everyone that while his character’s storyline is fictional, his relationship with Elaine is the real deal.
And that’s a wrap on Rudy and Elaine’s adorable relationship timeline! From Insta-official moments to dreamy vacations and endless support, these two are couple goals.
Keep an eye out for more updates — you know we’re here for every cute moment they share because, honestly, we’re stanning them hard.