In the glitzy world of Hollywood, where grand gestures often steal the spotlight, Chris Evans, the iconic Captain America, proved that true romance lies in the quiet, heartfelt details. At the June 7, 2025, premiere of his film Materialists in New York City, Evans shared a rare glimpse into his private life, revealing the touching story of how he spent an entire week practicing his marriage proposal to actress Alba Baptista in her native Portuguese. The tale, filled with dedication, nerves, and a near slip-up, has captured fans’ hearts, sparking widespread admiration on social media and beyond. This is the story of Evans’ week-long journey to craft the perfect proposal, the emotional stakes behind it, and why this moment resonates as a testament to authentic love in an often-scripted industry.
A Love Story Kept Under Wraps
Chris Evans and Alba Baptista’s romance has been a masterclass in discretion. First linked in 2021, the couple kept their relationship out of the public eye, with only subtle hints—like Evans’ Instagram Stories in January 2023 showing the pair playfully scaring each other—confirming their bond. By September 2023, they had tied the knot in two private ceremonies: one at their Massachusetts home and another in Baptista’s native Portugal. The weddings, attended by A-list stars like Robert Downey Jr. and Scarlett Johansson, were “locked down tight,” with guests signing NDAs, according to Page Six. Evans confirmed their marriage at New York Comic Con in October 2023, describing the ceremonies as “wonderful and beautiful” but admitting the planning “takes a lot out of you.”
The couple’s engagement, however, remained a mystery until Evans’ candid red-carpet interview with The Knot at the Materialists premiere. Speaking with a mix of charm and self-deprecation, the 43-year-old actor revealed that he proposed to Baptista, 27, in Portuguese to honor her heritage. “She’s Portuguese, so I learned how to say, ‘Will you marry me?’ in Portuguese,” he said. “I had practiced it all week.” The effort, he admitted, was both a labor of love and a source of intense nerves, nearly derailed by his own enthusiasm.
A Week of Practice and Near Misses
Evans’ decision to propose in Portuguese was a deeply personal gesture, reflecting his desire to make the moment special for Baptista, whose Portuguese roots are a core part of her identity. The Warrior Nun actress, born in Lisbon, has often spoken of her cultural pride, and Evans’ choice to learn the phrase “Will you marry me?” in her native language was a nod to their shared values of respect and connection. But mastering the phrase was no small feat for the Boston native, whose linguistic repertoire had previously been limited to English and the occasional Marvel-scripted quip.
“I had practiced it all week,” Evans told The Knot, laughing as he recounted how his diligence almost backfired. “I had practiced it so much that while I’d be making breakfast, you almost just start saying it out loud and you’re like, ‘Oh God! That’s not just a song that’s stuck in my head. It’s gonna let the cat out of the bag!’” The image of Evans, mid-omelet, catching himself muttering the proposal line, is both endearing and relatable, a reminder that even superheroes get nervous about life’s big moments.
The week-long rehearsal wasn’t just about memorizing words; it was about perfecting the emotion behind them. Evans, known for his theater-kid energy (as noted by Lainey Gossip), approached the proposal with the same meticulousness he brings to his roles. “He’s always practicing something—whether it’s tap-dancing on set or rehearsing a story,” Lainey Gossip observed, likening his storytelling style to a Broadway performer. This dedication shone through in his preparation, as he wrestled with the pronunciation and cadence of a language unfamiliar to him, all to ensure Baptista felt seen and cherished.
Yet, the pressure of the moment loomed large. “I got really nervous when it came time to do it,” Evans admitted. “I actually think I screwed it up, but I still know it!” His self-assessment, delivered with a sheepish grin, only added to the story’s charm. Despite his doubts, the proposal was a success—Baptista said yes, and the couple’s journey to marriage began.
The Internet Goes Wild
The story of Evans’ Portuguese proposal quickly went viral, with fans on X and Reddit showering the actor with praise for his thoughtfulness. “Chris Evans learned ‘will you marry me’ in Portuguese just to propose to Alba Baptista 🥹,” posted @cevansarchive, capturing the collective swoon. Another user, @cevansyonce, wrote, “He did it in Portuguese 😭🥺❤️,” while @stateofcevans shared a meme summing up the week of his proposal with characteristic humor. The sentiment was echoed on Reddit’s r/Fauxmoi, where users called the story “adorable” and “very sweet,” with one noting, “It would have been very funny if he’d by accident asked her while he was practicing… ‘Sorry I didn’t mean it just yet!’”
The outpouring of affection wasn’t just about the proposal itself but what it represented: a genuine, unscripted moment from a star who has long been Hollywood’s golden boy. Fans on X also highlighted Baptista’s role in Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris, urging others to watch her work, while others shared personal anecdotes, like one user whose father proposed to their Brazilian mother with a similarly imperfect Portuguese phrase. The story resonated because it was universal—anyone who’s ever stumbled through a romantic gesture could relate to Evans’ nerves and determination.
A Deeper Look at Evans and Baptista’s Bond
The proposal story offers a window into the couple’s dynamic, which blends privacy with profound mutual respect. Evans, who has spoken about wanting to slow down his career to focus on personal life, told GQ in September 2023, “I haven’t worked all year and I don’t plan to, which has been lovely.” His relationship with Baptista, whom he described as “my girlfriend that I’ve had for a while,” has clearly been a priority. The couple’s decision to hold two weddings—one in Massachusetts, one in Portugal—underscores their commitment to honoring both their backgrounds.
Baptista, for her part, has carved out a promising career, with roles in Warrior Nun and Amelia’s Children. Her relative absence from the spotlight since their marriage, noted by some Reddit users, may reflect a deliberate choice to maintain privacy rather than a career stall. “She was dubbed one of the upcoming actors, but I feel like she has disappeared after marrying Evans,” one user commented, while another countered, “Alba Baptista is great in Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris—watch it if you haven’t!” The couple’s low-key approach, including their unannounced engagement, has only fueled fans’ curiosity about their life together.
Evans’ proposal also aligns with his broader outlook on love and family. In a November 2024 Access Hollywood interview, he called the title of “dad” an “exciting one,” hinting at future plans to expand their family. “That’s absolutely something I want—wife, kids, building a family,” he told People in 2022, emphasizing that relationships, not career achievements, are what matter most. His Portuguese proposal, imperfect as it may have been, was a step toward that vision, a moment where love trumped perfectionism.
Why This Story Matters
In an era where celebrity relationships are often staged for clout, Evans’ story stands out for its authenticity. The image of a global superstar nervously practicing a foreign phrase, only to fumble it under pressure, is a powerful antidote to the polished narratives of Hollywood. It’s a reminder that love, at its core, is about effort, vulnerability, and showing up for the person who matters most. As one X user put it, “This is adorable and I’m enjoying it extra because of the reality check for the parasocial girlies.” The story humanizes Evans, proving that even Captain America can’t escape the jitters of a life-changing moment.
The proposal also highlights the cultural sensitivity that defines Evans and Baptista’s relationship. By choosing to propose in Portuguese, Evans didn’t just learn a phrase—he embraced a piece of Baptista’s identity, bridging their worlds in a way that felt deeply personal. This resonates in a globalized world where cross-cultural relationships are increasingly common, and small gestures of understanding can carry profound weight.
A New Chapter for Captain America
As Evans promotes Materialists, a romantic comedy with Dakota Johnson and Pedro Pascal, and gears up for Honey Don’t!, a detective comedy directed by Ethan Coen, he’s entering a new phase of his career—one less defined by blockbuster heroics and more by nuanced, character-driven roles. Off-screen, his life with Baptista reflects a similar shift: from the whirlwind of fame to the quiet joys of partnership and, perhaps soon, parenthood. “Now that we’re through [the weddings], we’ve just been enjoying life, gearing up for autumn, my favorite season,” he said at Comic Con, a sentiment that feels even more poignant in light of his proposal story.
Chris Evans’ week-long quest to perfect his Portuguese proposal may not have gone flawlessly, but it was perfect in the way that matters most: it was real. From the breakfast-table slip-ups to the nervous delivery, his story is a love letter to the messy, beautiful reality of commitment. As fans continue to celebrate this glimpse into his heart, one thing is clear: whether he’s wielding a shield or a ring, Evans knows how to make a moment unforgettable.
