Austin Butler Denies Emily Ratajkowski Dating Rumors: 'We're Friends and We Had Dinner'

Austin Butler is clarifying his relationship with Emily Ratajkowski. The Elvis star, 34, shared in an interview with Vanity Fair published on Nov. 18 that he and the 34-year-old model were just “friends” after the pair were seen out having dinner together in New York City in September. “The true answer is that I have a lot of friends and we’re friends and we had dinner, and that we’re friends,” Butler told the publication. He added of the public scrutiny into the pair’s outing, “I just wanted to hide.” The two were photographed in a booth at the West Village's Waverly Inn, sharing a few drinks and chatting together. The pair was also photographed together at an afterparty for the N.Y.C. premiere of Butler's new movie Caught Stealing. He was also seen hanging out with his Caught Stealing costar Zoë Kravitz at the Dragon bar in Paris after the red carpet premiere of the movie in France’s capital in August. However, Butler told Vanity Fair that he wasn’t about to stop living fully just to prevent rumors. He pondered to the outlet, “I’m going to live a constricted, small life because I’m afraid of what other people are going to say or what they’re going to think?” Butler was previously in a relationship with Kaia Gerber; they split in 2024 after three years of dating. TMZ was the first to report the news, stating that the couple ended their relationship near the end of 2024. Sources told the outlet that “the relationship just simply ran its course.” Butler previously dated High School Musical star Vanessa Hudgens for eight years before their split in January 2020. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The Eddington star also shared in the Vanity Fair interview that he was focused on looking forward in his life and letting go of past mistakes. He told the outlet that he's working on preparing himself to one day become the best husband and father. “You get one life, so how can I allow that to hopefully make me a better friend and a better partner — and a better husband, one day, and a better father, one day, God willing?" he said. He's already had some practice, previously telling E! News in June 2024 that he has stepped into the role of "fun uncle" for fellow Disney alum Ashley Tisdale's 4-year-old daughter, Jupiter. He shared, "I feel so honored to be a part of her life and to get to know her children."