Harry Styles was drawn to Olivia Wilde’s ‘intelligence and independent nature’ during on-set romance

Harry Styles’ budding romance with Olivia Wilde recently went public.

And details from the three-time Grammy nominee’s new relationship are continuing to emerge, as things get serious.

Styles was reportedly drawn to Wilde’s ‘intelligence and independent nature’ when their on-set romance began in the fall, while working together on Don’t Worry Darling.

A source told Us Weekly of what attracted the 26-year-old: ‘Harry likes that Olivia is so driven and confident and smart. Her intelligence and independent nature were the first things that drew him to her.’  

It comes after Wilde, 36, and Styles were first romantically linked earlier this week, holding hands Monday at his agent’s wedding in Montecito, California.  

The gorgeous pair has since been spotted packing on some more PDA, as they enjoyed an outing with friends Wednesday in Santa Barbara.

A source told People: ‘They were in Montecito, California this weekend for a wedding. They were affectionate around their friends, held hands and looked very happy. They have dated for a few weeks.’

They previously worked together on Don’t Worry Darling, which began filming in Los Angeles and Palm Springs back in October.

Wilde directed and appeared in the 1950s-set psychological horror, which stars Styles, Florence Pugh, Gemma Chan, KiKi Layne and Chris Pine.

A source told DailyMail.com that the couple stayed together at James Corden’s house near Palm Springs during filming, where they were able to ‘be alone and keep their relationship very secret.’

Another source said that the nine-year relationship between Wilde and ex-fiancé Jason Sudeikis, 45, officially ended in early November 2020, and they were together ‘as recently as this fall.’

According to People, Sudeikis wasn’t even aware that Wilde wanted out of their engagement until October, around the time her relationship with the One Direction alum took off.   

The insider added: ‘Jason feels that the timeline that Olivia and Harry would like people to believe – that she and Jason split ages ago, long before she became involved with Harry – is simply not accurate. 

‘She began filming [Don’t Worry Darling] in September, and by October, he began to get the impression that she wanted out. By November, they’d announced their split.’

The source emphasized ‘that’s how quickly it happened,’ adding that ‘none of it happened until she began filming with Harry.’ 

However, another person close to the couple disputed that interpretation: ‘Olivia and Jason were broken up as of early 2020. The recent news that she has moved on is no surprise. Olivia and Jason’s relationship continues to be focused on their children and co-parenting them.’   

Another source told People that Sudeikis ‘is absolutely heartbroken about the split’ and her budding onset romance with Styles, as he hopes to ‘repair things’ in their relationship. 

The insider said: ‘There is still a lot of love there, and he would like to have hope that maybe there’s a way for them to repair things. But what happens next remains to be seen.’  

It was originally reported that Wilde and Sudeikis underwent an amicable split earlier in 2020, and they’ve since been adjusting to co-parenting their two children: ‘It’s been amicable and they’ve transitioned into a great co-parenting routine. The children are the priority and the heart of the family’s relationship.’

They began dating in November of 2011, later getting engaged in January of 2013, and they share son Otis, six, and daughter Daisy, four.

The exes met at the after party for the season 36 finale of Saturday Night Live, striking up a romance a few months later.

Sudeikis recounted the story on The Late Show in 2017: ‘I actually came off looking a little cooler than I really am because I had heard through the grapevine, through mutual friends who weren’t exactly her best girlfriends, who would report back, “Oh you know, I think she’s dating someone.” 

‘So I didn’t make any moves. I was just very, very busy with other things. And next thing you know, I stopped being busy, she stopped dating someone, and then it was off to the races. We sort of reintroduced ourselves. The universe had more in store for us in the fall.’ 

Wilde also told the story to Allure in 2013: ‘I met Jason, and I thought he was so charming. He’s a great dancer and I’m a sucker for great dancers. But he didn’t even get my number. 

‘Over the next six months we kept running into each other. [One night] my best guy friend walked up to him and said, “This is Olivia’s number. Use it.” That was the beginning.’  

Both had just gotten out of previous marriages, as Wilde was married to Italian Prince Tao Ruspoli, 45, from 2003 until filing for divorce in March of 2011, two months before meeting Sudeikis.

He married Pitch Perfect writer Kay Cannon, 46, in June of 2004, before separating in 2008 and divorcing in 2010.

Sudeikis joked on Jimmy Kimmel Live! last May, when asked when they’ll finally get married: ‘We’re waiting for weed to be legal in every state.’ 

The couple starred together in the 2013 romantic drama Drinking Buddies, and he later appeared in her 2019 feature directorial debut Booksmart. 

Wilde told People of directing her fiancé: ‘That was great. He’s one of the best improvisers in the world so I knew I could cast him. He’s like spinning a top and just letting it roll. It’s really amazing to see him do his thing.’