Caitlin O’Connor might just be The One for Joe Manganiello — and his elderly chihuahua, Bubbles, approves.
“We definitely have seen that Joe’s beloved rescue chihuahua, Bubbles, loves Caitlin,” an insider reveals in the latest issue of Us Weekly, on newsstands now. “Bubbles loves kissing Caitlin on the face and allowing Caitlin to hold her, which is pretty rare since she is protective of Joe.”
The insider continued: “Seems like she has Bubbles’ approval — which is all Joe really needed to see to seal the deal.”
Manganiello, 48, adopted the 11-year-old pup — whom he calls his “little angel” — in 2019, helping her to recover from mammary cancer. Since then, the pair have gone on various adventures around the globe.
Joe Manganiello Goes Instagram Official With Girlfriend Caitlin O’Connor
The Deal or No Deal Island host has since added another travel companion after he started dating O’Connor, 35, in August 2023.
“Caitlin and Joe love traveling together and just returned from St. Vincent for Christmas and Las Vegas for New Year’s Eve,” the insider revealed. “Caitlin is very supportive of Joe and traveled with him to the Banker’s Private Island for both seasons of Deal or No Deal Island. They always seem genuinely happy, in love and holding hands. … Their close friends say that Joe really loves her.”
O’Connor shared behind-the-scenes snaps from filming the NBC series with Manganiello and Bubbles, including her surprise birthday party on the island.
“This man flew in a custom Princess Jasmine tiramisu cake (?!) and opened up our favorite restaurant (while it was closed to the public) to celebrate – flying in the owner to cook and party with us,” she wrote via Instagram in January. “Just amazing. … You really surprised me.”
The pair began dating following Manganiello’s separation from Sofia Vergara in 2023. (They finalized their divorce in April 2024 after nearly eight years of marriage.). After initially bonding over their shared Pittsburgh roots, the couple went Instagram official in February 2024, when Manganiello shared a video from their “Best Valentine’s Day ever” at a Tool concert in Los Angeles.
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The year since has been filled with rock concerts, restaurant openings, sports games and Pittsburgh visits for the duo.
O’Connor gushed over the Magic Mike actor — and shared a hilarious video of him giving his best Pittsburgh accent — for his birthday in December 2024.
Calling him “my very handsome, very loyal, intelligent, genuine, fun and funny adventure buddy, protector and Bubbles’ Dada,” O’Connor highlighted his “Pittsburghese” — “I hope you love it as much as I do.”
“You’re the best!!!” Manganiello replied in the comments section.
