Charlize Theron has opened up about her blossoming relationship with Sean Penn. The 38-year-old star, who was first romantically linked to the actor at the end of last year, spoke candidly about her love life and why she has never wanted a big, white wedding. "It just kind of naturally happened," Charlize told Vogue. "And before I knew it, I was in something that was making my life better — the people who really love me can see the effect it has had on me."
Charlize Theron
"I know so well what I want to fit in my life," she said. "And the simple answer to that is: Unless he can make my life better? My life is really pretty good. What I guess I am trying to say is a friend kind of stepped into that role, and I really didn't see it coming... We were just really good friends." As the cover girl for the magazine's June issue, Charlize is pictured posing on the beach in a navy cut-out style dress. The shoot was done in Florida Keys, where Charlize was accompanied by her son Jackson who she adopted in 2012. "It's amazing how life turns out," she said as she affectionately watched Jackson play with other youngsters on the beach. "I have turned into the biggest mush."
Sean Penn and Charlize Theron at the Met Ball this year
While Sean, 53, has been married twice before to Madonna and Robin Wright, Charlize revealed that she wasn't looking for a big, white wedding. "Let's put it this way. I never had the dream of the white dress," she said. "And watching other people getting married? I think it's beautiful for them, but to be quite honest, usually I'm sitting there just devastated. It's supposed to be this night of celebrating love, and all you see is a couple separated all night making sure everybody else is okay. It just looks like a lot of work." Charlize and Sean recently put rumours to rest when they stepped out for the Los Angeles premiere of A Million Ways To Die In The West — one of Charlene's latest films which is due for release in 2014. Looking very much in love, the handsome pair held hands and exchanged adoring glances outside the Regency Village Theatre.
Charlize Theron and Sean Penn at a Los Angeles premiere in May
Sean has likewise praised his beautiful girlfriend, previously saying, "She's a keeper, that's for sure. Well, I'll do my best to keep her." It is widely speculated that the Gangster Squad actor plans to propose and is already designing the engagement ring. "He wants it to reflect how he feels about Charlize so he added an inscription and a few secret messages in the design," an insider told America's Star magazine. "He wants to propose as soon as the ring is done."