She was previously dating Jamie Foxx but the couple split in 2019.
We all go through a rough patch in life at some point or the other, but that shouldn't stop us from moving on, right? The same applies to relationships and marriages too. While some like to dwell in the sorrow of their lost relationships, others choose to move past them and find love again. Katie Holmes seems to have found it.
Recently she has been seen cozying up to a handsome man at various places and the couple doesn't seem to shy away from displaying their love. This is the first time the actress' name has been linked to someone after her split from Jamie Foxx. So the question arises, who is this mystery man?
The man who's making the Dawson's Creek actor's heart racing is Emilio Vitolo Jr. He's a New York City chef at Emilio’s Ballato in the SoHo neighborhood, reported The Sun. The Italian restaurant was opened by his father, Emilio Vitolo Sr. in the 1990s and since then the entire Vitolo family has been a part of the business. Reportedly, his two brothers work at the restaurant alongside their parents as well.
The popular restaurant has garnered attention from many famous celebrities like Rihanna, Whoopi Goldberg, Bradley Cooper, the former President of the United States, Barack Obama, etc. Though Vitolo Jr. is a chef, he has had experience with acting too with cameos on Royal Pains and Inside Amy Schumer.
The couple's friends seem to have been the cupid as a source told In Touch Weekly that they "met through mutual friends and connected instantly." They went on to say that the 33-year-old chef has a lot of connections in the industry and regularly "mingles with the stars, so [he] understands Katie’s career and gets the pressure of fame. He spends a majority of his time in New York, where both he and Katie are based, which makes it easy for them to see each other.”
Talking about the “fairly new” relationship brewing between the 41-year-old actress and Vitolo Jr., the source said that Holmes "feel comfortable" around him because his “warm nature puts her at ease."
“Emilio is charming and witty and constantly has Katie in hysterics. Since they started dating, she hasn’t stopped smiling. He lets Katie be herself," added the source.
Another source divulged that unlike Holmes' ex-boyfriend Jamie Foxx, Vitilo Jr. is not into living a wild lifestyle. “Unlike Jamie, he isn’t into the whole nightclub scene and partying all night. He treats her like a princess.” The source also added that the actress finds things are “much more in common” between them.
Another source revealed to ET Online, "Katie is like a teenager in love right now -- he makes her giddy!"
Before Holmes, there was another woman in Vittolo Jr.'s life, Rachel Emmons, whom he allegedly dumped after pictures of him and Holmes emerged. The Daily Mail reported that Vittolo Jr. was engaged to Emmons and as soon as his relationship with Holmes became public, he called off his engagement through a text.
For Emmons, who considered the restauranter "her world," the news came as a shock. A close friend of the heartbroken ex revealed, "Up to this press coming out Rachel had no idea what was going on. He is a cheater, and this isn't a 'happy ending' story."
The friend also revealed that the two had been engaged for 18 months and lived together as well. They had made all plans to tie the knot even. "They had concrete wedding plans in the works…now she is just left with bad press and forced to move home."
Another source said that Emmons found the whole ordeal quite "bizarre and disappointing," reported The Sun. "Rachel was left blindsided when he suddenly ended their engagement via text...," revealed the source and added, "Rachel found out about their dates after friends sent her articles showing them together. She thinks it's disrespectful for it to be so public."
According to the source, Emmons feels Vitolo Jr. should've been more honest "and dealt with it like a gentleman and face-to-face." But she also thinks that this discovery stopped her from making a big mistake "and feels she’s had a lucky escape.”
Apart from all the drama going around, Holmes and Vitolo Jr. seem to be unbothered by it as they can be seen going on dates. A source revealed to People that the couple seems to be very much in love and cannot stop talking.
"Emilio is very charming, flirty, It’s easy to see how Katie fell for him," the source said. "She seems very into him. She keeps texting Emilio all day long and he loves it. He can’t get enough of her attention."
References:
https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/12723336/katie-holmes-boyfriend-emilio-vitolo-jr-chef-kissing/
https://www.intouchweekly.com/posts/how-did-katie-holmes-and-emilio-vitolo-meet-mutual-friends/
https://people.com/movies/katie-holmes-emilio-vitolo-jr-share-a-kiss-during-dinner-date/
