People have been obsessing over Jeremy Renner’s personal life for a long time, but things got remarkably weird recently. Honestly, if you’ve been following the Hawkeye star’s recovery after that terrifying snowplow accident in 2023, you probably expected a quiet comeback. Instead, 2025 and early 2026 have been a whirlwind of legal drama, confusing Instagram flirts, and a very public fallout with a woman named Yi Zhou.
Is there a Jeremy Renner and girlfriend situation right now? It depends on who you ask and what day it is.
The Yi Zhou Saga: Love or Just a "Consensual Encounter"?
Late last year, the internet exploded when Yi Zhou, a filmmaker and former model, claimed she was in a serious relationship with Renner. She didn't just whisper it; she told the Daily Mail and TMZ that they had been together since shortly after his accident. According to her, it was "true love." They were even working on projects together, like an AI-animated film called Stardust Future: Stars and Scars.
But here’s where it gets messy.
Renner’s side of the story is basically the opposite. By November 2025, reports surfaced that Renner viewed the relationship very differently. He allegedly described their time together as a "brief consensual encounter" in July. By August, he claims he told her he wasn't interested in anything sexual and even put her in a guest bedroom.
The drama ratcheted up when Zhou alleged that Renner threatened to call ICE on her. Renner’s team has pushed back hard, calling the claims baseless and part of a pattern of "unethical business dealings." It’s a classic "he said, she said" that has left fans wondering if the actor is even looking for a partner anymore.
Why Jeremy Renner and Girlfriend Rumors Keep Swirling
You can’t talk about Renner’s dating life without mentioning the ghost of relationships past. For years, he’s been linked to everyone from Eiza González to Janet Montgomery. But the big headline in early 2025 was actually Jessica Simpson.
Yeah, you read that right.
Fifteen years after they were first rumored to be a thing, the two started leaving flirty comments on each other's Instagram posts. Simpson had recently split from Eric Johnson, and the internet immediately decided they were the next big celebrity couple.
- The Mother Connection: Back in 2010, Renner joked that they only talked because Jessica and his mom shared the same hairstylist.
- The 2025 Buzz: The Instagram "likes" and comments were enough to spark a million "are they or aren't they" articles.
- The Reality Check: Nothing official ever came of it. It seems they are just old friends having a bit of fun on the timeline.
The Most Important Woman: Ava Berlin
If you look at Renner’s social media today, you won’t see a girlfriend. You’ll see his daughter, Ava. Since his divorce from Sonni Pacheco in 2015—which was, frankly, one of the more toxic Hollywood splits in recent memory—Renner has been vocal about his "primary focus."
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In July 2025, Renner told Parade that he isn't dating "at the moment." He’s busy with his foundation and raising Ava. Interestingly, he also claimed that he and Sonni finally "get along well" now. That’s a massive shift considering the years of allegations involving guns, drugs, and custody battles. It sounds like he’s finally found some peace in his personal life, even if the Yi Zhou situation tried to disrupt it.
The Recovery Factor
We can't ignore the physical toll of 2023. Renner broke over 30 bones. He’s lucky to be walking, let alone acting in Mayor of Kingstown. When a human being goes through that kind of trauma, the idea of a "girlfriend" usually takes a backseat to things like learning how to walk again and managing chronic pain.
Most experts in celebrity culture (and honestly, common sense) suggest that Renner's "inner circle" has tightened significantly since the accident. He’s more protective of his space. He’s more selective about who he lets in. This might explain why the Yi Zhou situation ended so explosively—misaligned expectations in a very high-stakes environment.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're trying to keep track of Jeremy Renner's relationship status, here is the most grounded perspective you can take:
- Don't trust the "confirmations": Just because someone says they are dating Jeremy doesn't mean Jeremy agrees. The Yi Zhou situation proves that.
- Follow the work: Renner tends to link up with people he works with (like Sonni on Mission: Impossible or Yi Zhou on her film projects). If a new name pops up in a production credit, that's where the rumors will start.
- Respect the recovery: He is still a man in rehabilitation. Relationships are work, and he’s currently putting all his "work" energy into his health and his daughter.
- Look for the "Red Carpet" moment: Until Jeremy walks a red carpet with someone on his arm and tells a reporter "this is my girlfriend," assume he's single. He's been burned by the press and exes too many times to be careless with his status now.
Ultimately, Renner seems content with his "broken" but healing life. He's 55, he's a survivor, and he's clearly done with the "clickbait" lifestyle.