Rudy Pankow's Girlfriend, Elaine Siemek, Has Been the Target of Online Harassment
"I love you so much — let’s keep dancing around the universe," Elaine wrote in a 2024 birthday tribute to Rudy.
Published Nov. 4 2024, 11:01 a.m. ET
Keeping a Hollywood romance under wraps certainly has its perks, and when all fans have to go on are the occasional paparazzi shots, it usually keeps speculation to a minimum. But for Outer Banks star Rudy Pankow, keeping his love life private hasn’t come without its own drama.
Rudy’s reportedly been dating his girlfriend, Elaine Siemek, since around 2020.
Although he’s chosen to keep his relationship details out of the public eye, that didn’t stop his girlfriend from becoming a target for online trolls. Some people even hurled baseless accusations at her, claiming she had traits Rudy says don’t reflect who she is at all. Despite the chaos caused by internet comments, Rudy’s stayed committed to his partner, proving that love can endure even under the pressure of the spotlight.
Here’s what we know about Rudy’s relationship and who he’s dating now!
Who is Rudy Pankow dating?
Rudy has been in a steady relationship with Elaine for around four years. According to People, Rudy first hinted at their romance with a photo of Elaine back in November 2020, which immediately had fans buzzing about their connection. They met on the set of Outer Banks, Netflix's hit show now on its fourth season, with Part 2 of Season 4 dropping on Nov. 7, 2024.
If you don’t recognize Elaine from the show, it’s because she actually works behind the scenes as an assistant to Outer Banks co-creator Jonas Pate. Despite her off-camera role, Elaine has made quite a name for herself, amassing a following of over 400,000 on Instagram.
Beyond social media, she's also an accomplished film photographer, showcasing her impressive portfolio on her official website. Her work has certainly helped her stand out in Hollywood, even as she keeps her private life with Rudy low-key amid the public eye.
Rudy and Elaine’s relationship hasn’t been without challenges, with Elaine facing criticism and even unfair assumptions from internet trolls. Yet, Rudy has remained loyal, standing by her side and keeping their relationship strong amidst the chatter.
Rudy Pankow has consistently defended his girlfriend, Elaine Siemek, against online rumors.
Rudy's girlfriend, Elaine, has been facing online harassment for years, and the Outer Banks star has publicly addressed the issue. In November 2021, Rudy took to Instagram to defend Elaine, calling out the "disrespect and harassment" she endures daily.
He condemned the false accusations being spread about her, describing them as going "beyond the normal hate." Some online users have accused Elaine of being “abusive and manipulative,” which Rudy firmly denied in his post.
Despite Rudy’s defense in 2021, the online criticism has persisted. Recently, on Oct. 9, 2024, Elaine addressed the negativity herself on Instagram, encouraging anyone spreading “hate and negativity” to unfollow or block her. She expressed frustration, saying, “I’m not going to entertain the constant BS narratives and lies being spread about me” and urged people to focus their energy on more positive things.
It seems Rudy and Elaine are enjoying their time together both on and off the Outer Banks set, despite any online drama stirred up by fans. As for Rudy's dating history, not much is known about his relationships before he met Elaine.