IT may be an unconscious bias but being attracted to people who look like your parents is surprisingly common – even among celebrities.
Cruz Beckham has become the latest celeb to fall into the Oedipus complex trap, with his Posh ‘lookalike’ girlfriend, Jackie Apostel, 29.
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The slim brunette emulated Victoria’s style when she was pictured in Notting Hill, London, this week, wearing all black gym gear paired with a baseball hat – a look favoured by Cruz’s designer mum.
It’s not the first time The 29-year-old songwriter has taken fashion inspiration from the former Spice Girl.
During Paris Fashion Week in March she was pictured wearing a navy satin gown almost identical to one worn by Victoria.
The songwriter has also been seen wearing a number of looks from Posh’s Victoria Beckham brand, in a sure sign she has had the star’s seal of approval.
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But it isn’t just men fall for women who look like their mothers – there are plenty of female stars dating men who look like their fathers.
According to a study by A.C Little on Evolution and Human Behaviour, opposite sex partners usually have a “type” – and they tend look a lot like their parents.
It comes down to two particular features.
The eye colour of the opposite sex parent is the best predictor of both male and female partner eye colour.
Hair colour is also a strong predictor for both sexes.
So, let’s put some famous faces and their partners to the test.
Gemma Owens and Luca Bish
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Former footballer Michael Owen’s daughter Gemma entered the Love Island Villa in 2022 for series eight.
There, she met Luca Bish, the man who sells fish.
Fans were quick to notice the similarity between Luca and Michael, taking to social media to address it.
One person said: “What did Freud say?”
Freud’s Oedipus complex refers to when young boys experience an unconscious feeling of desire towards his mother and a hostility towards his father.
Regardless, after a three month romance, Gemma and Luca cut ties and are both happy in their new relationships – with partners of opposite hair colours to their exes I might add…
Florence Pugh and Zach Braff
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Some might say this is the ultimate case of stars whose lovers look exactly like their parents.
Florence and Zach were in a relationship from 2019 to 2022. They kept their romance pretty private until a birthday tribute to Zach from Florence sent fans spiralling.
Because of their 21 year difference, the couple received some serious backlash from trolls.
This coincided with social media users realising the uncanny resemblance between Florence’s dad, Clinton Pugh who owned a number of restaurants and cafes in Oxford.
Taking to Reddit, one user said: “That’s very scary and concerning!
“He is her dad’s f***ing twin!! There’s no way no one pointed this out to her or that she doesn’t see the blatant similarity in their looks!”
Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth
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Miley and Liam – once the IT couple – met while filming The Last Song.
Their decade-long relationship imploded in 2019, less than a year after marriage, much to fans’ dismay.
But not before they had speculated on shared features between Liam and Miley’s dad Billy Ray Cyrus.
Both men have boast tall, dark and handsome features along with a similar build and facial structure.
What’s more, Billy has openly spoken about “borrowing” Liam’s clothing.
Lucy Mecklenburgh and Ryan Thomas
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TV personality Lucy started dating CBB winner Ryan in 2017 and became engaged in 2019.
They share three children, one of which, Scarlett, is from Ryan’s previous relationship with Corrie co-star Tina O’Brien.
Some may have noticed Lucy’s dad Paul shares a few similar features with her fiance.
Both of which have teddy bear like features, with round faces, wide set eyes and short curly hair.
Funnily enough, Ryan has two other brothers Adam and Thomas who all look extremely similar.
Ryan has often laughed off confusion over looking more like Adam’s twin than Scott.
But each are handsome and charismatic in their own right.
Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky
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The Australian bombshell met his glamorous Spanish wife in 2010 and had three children.
Chris stunned fans after sharing a tribute to his mum and wife on Instagram.
A user commented: “Your mum and your wife look the same age and that is NOT a dig at your babe wife.”
While another simply said: “Your mum looks SO young!”
It’s not the first time Chris’ parents have stolen the limelight on his social media.
After the actor shared a picture of himself with his mum Leonie and his dad at the Commonwealth Games, a fan said: “Wow! Your mum looks more like your sister! Good genes!”
Followed by another: “You have very good-looking parents.”
Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank
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The pair, who met in 2010 and have been together for over a decade and share two children.
Some may have spotted some similarities between Jack and Princess Eugenie’s father, Prince Andrew.
Both men have dark hair, fair skin and prominent noses and ears.
Similarly, their faces are on the longer side, matched with toothy grins.
Andrew previously told ITV James is an “extraordinary young man” with “one of the kindest hearts”.
He added: “It’s a good match.”
Ant McPartlin and Anne-Marie Corbett
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Ant has been married to his partner Anne-Marie since 2021.
They share three children, two of which include Anne-Marie’s daughters from a previous marriage.
Some may have noticed both Ant’s wife and mum, Christine Woodhall, are strikingly blonde with similar haircuts.
Both also have soft complexions and similar skin tones.
Christine raised Ant as a single mum after his dad Ray walked out when he was 10 years old.
During Ant’s rehab lockdown in 2018, he only allowed his mum Christine Woodhall and co-host Declan Donnelly to visit him.
According to The Mirror, Christine vowed to help her son “sort himself out”, as he continued his battle with drink and painkiller addiction.
