Charlize Theron has opened up about her 'effortless' romantic relationship with long-time friend Sean Penn in Vogue's new June issue.
The 38-year-old actress, who was chosen to star on the cover, strikes a pose against a palm tree, wearing a navy blue dress with cut-out shoulders, her blonde pixie haircut styled in beach-swept waves.
'It just kind of naturally happened,' she said of her blossoming relationship with the actor, 53. '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.'
For Charlize's sixth ever Vogue cover, she was photographed in the Florida Keys, posing on the beach in a silver metallic bikini and riding the waves on a jetski. The mother-of-one, who adopted son Jackson in 2012, has spent the past few years happily single, and she says the love she has with Sean came somewhat unexpectedly.
'I know so well what I want to fit in my life. And the simple answer to that is: Unless he can make my life better? My life is really pretty f****** 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.' And the pair have certainly been looking rather loved up recently.
At the Los Angeles premiere of her new film A Million Ways To Die In The West, Charlize couldn't help but smile brightly as she stood next to her beau - even though at 5ft 10in and in heels, she towered over his 5ft 8in stature.
And they made a very elegant couple indeed at the Met Gala last week, coordinating in matching monochrome. But while they may be over the moon to have finally found each other, Charlize says a wedding is most definitely not on the cards.
'Let's put it this way: I never had the dream of the white dress,' she explained. '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,' she elaborated. 'It just looks like a lot of work.'
In any case, the South African-born former model - who famously never married actor Stuart Townsend during their nine-year relationship - is certainly in it for the long haul. And judging by how Sean acts around her and Jackson, he is just as committed. The three were pictured on the beach in Hawaii in March, with Sean playfully wading in the surf with Jackson.
If Sean has managed to earn the love of her son, there's no doubt he's won her over as well. During her interview with the magazine, she took a moment to watch as Jackson played with a group of boys on the beach. 'My son. Right?' she said, tearing up proudly. 'It's amazing how life turns out. I have turned into the biggest mush.'
