When Bo Derek stepped onto the red carpet in New York, it wasn’t just her outfit that caught attention. It was who stood beside her — and how different he looked.
Bo Derek made a rare red carpet appearance this week, stepping out with husband John Corbett for the season three premiere of “And Just Like That” in New York City.
Derek, known for her iconic roles in the ’80s, wore a crisp white and black suit accented with metallic studs along the jacket, sleeves, and trouser legs. She paired the striking outfit with a black clutch and wore her blonde hair in loose, soft waves.
Corbett, 64, kept things classic in an all-black suit but surprised many with his new look. Sporting facial hair and orange-tinted sunglasses, he looked noticeably different, prompting a wave of online reactions.
As photos of the couple spread across social media, fans quickly picked up on one detail: Corbett’s uncanny resemblance to Derek’s late first husband, John Derek. “He looks just like her first husband!!! WOW.. he was gorgeous too,” one person wrote. Another added, “Strange how Corbett is looking like Jon Derek [sic].”
A third person noted, “Wow, John Corbett is starting to look like her first husband John Derek!” Comments poured in, echoing the sentiment. “That’s so weird! He looks exactly like John Derek her 1st husband!” read one post. Others remarked on the similarity with surprise and fascination.
Still, admiration for the couple remained front and center. “They look great… he looks so different though,” one fan shared. Another said, “John and Bo both look like a million bucks!”
The appearance marked a rare outing for the low-profile couple. Derek and Corbett have shared more than two decades together. The pair began dating in 2002 and, for years, were open about their decision not to marry.
In a 2020 interview with Fox News, Derek explained their stance. “I think when you’re beginning a young family and you’re going to have children and set up this new family tree branch, it’s obviously a wonderful commitment and it’s meaningful,” she said. “But for us in our lives, it hasn’t been yet.”
Still, their bond was undeniable from the start. Reflecting on their early days, Derek described their connection, “It was just an attraction, a comfort.” But by the end of that same year, things took a surprising turn.
Appearing on “The Talk,” Corbett revealed that the couple had quietly tied the knot over the holidays. “Jerry, I can’t believe that I forgot to tell you that around Christmas time we got married. Bo and I got married!” he told co-host Jerry O’Connell.
🚨Breaking News!🚨
John Corbett reveals exclusive breaking news about his relationship with Bo Derek to the hosts, including his good pal @MrJerryOC 💍 pic.twitter.com/tP1lfjmPL7— The Talk (@TheTalkCBS) August 3, 2021
Corbett, known for keeping his personal life out of the spotlight, explained the low-key nature of the event. “We’re pretty private people, we didn’t make an announcement. All our friends and family knew, but this is the first time either one of us has said anything publicly about it.”
He explained that after spending 20 years together, they chose to get married because they wanted to take something positive from 2020 — a year many would otherwise remember negatively. Derek’s representative also confirmed the news to People, stating that the couple tied the knot in a private ceremony.
While Derek found enduring fame in Hollywood, her personal life has also been marked by profound loss. In 1998, her first husband and longtime mentor, actor-director John Derek, died from congestive heart failure at the age of 71. The couple had been married since 1976 and remained together until his passing.
Reflecting on that period, Derek once described the experience as life-altering. She said the loss felt as though the air had been pulled from the room — an overwhelming absence that took time to accept. Despite her naturally optimistic outlook, she admitted to spending a period immersed in grief.
In the aftermath, Derek didn’t expect to find love again. While some seek companionship quickly, she chose a different path. She modeled her life after single friends who found fulfillment through work, friendships, and family. That independent life, full of purpose, brought her peace.
But life had other plans. Five years later, she met Corbett. What began as an unexpected encounter soon grew into a lasting romance — one that brought companionship, and eventually, marriage.
In August 2020, during an interview with Variety, Derek opened up about her past and the personal costs that came with it. Speaking in connection to the documentary “In My Own Words,” Derek addressed the complexities of her early relationship with her first husband — one that began under controversial circumstances.
She explained her decision to revisit those memories publicly. Known for her honesty, Derek said she initially thought the stories had been told enough. But with younger generations now discovering her work, she recognized that for many, these revelations were entirely new.
The documentary featured several voices from her past, including Linda Evans — John Derek’s former wife. Derek admitted she was stunned by Evans’ participation. Seeing Evans speak candidly about the pain she endured struck a chord.
Derek confessed that being part of a broken marriage remains one of her deepest regrets. She still struggles with the guilt, calling it “a terrible mistake” and something she has never fully forgiven herself for.
Reflecting on the choices she made at 17, Derek acknowledged the illusion of maturity she felt at the time. “I knew everything,” she remarked. But looking back now, she sees just how young she truly was.
