Danny Cipriani just made 90210 star AnnaLynne McCord his fiancée with a stunning Christmas Day proposal. The retired rugby star, 38, dropped to one knee nearly four months ago, and McCord finally revealed the engagement exclusively on April 11, 2026. What makes this reunion even more magical. They reconnected after six years apart.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Proposal Date: Christmas Day 2025 at her Los Angeles home, announced April 11, 2026
- Ring: 15-carat emerald-cut diamond with seven round accent diamonds, set in yellow gold
- Their Timeline: Met 10 years ago on dating app Raya, dated on-and-off before 2020 split, reconnected February 2024
- McCord’s Reaction: “I cried for 10 minutes straight,” the actress said, unable to speak between tears of joy
A Christmas Proposal Nobody Saw Coming
AnnaLynne McCord was cooking dinner at her Los Angeles home when she noticed her sisters and Danny whispering. She figured it involved their upcoming Cambodia trip. Her siblings insisted she get dressed up for a movie, but something felt off. Finally, she came downstairs to find rose petals everywhere, a rose petal heart on the floor, and Cipriani down on one knee waiting for her to step into it.
“He replied, ‘That’s okay, it’s actually a good sign that you are quiet for once.'” mused McCord, recalling the moment she could barely speak after saying yes. Her sisters and closest friends witnessed everything live over Zoom, making the moment even more special. The celebration continued during their romantic trip to Cambodia and India, their favorite places in the world.
The 10-Year Romance That Almost Never Happened
McCord and Cipriani met on the exclusive dating app Raya about a decade ago, but their journey was anything but straightforward. They dated “on and off” for roughly four years while he played rugby overseas and she filmed in Los Angeles. In 2020, they separated completely, each moving on with their lives. Then, unexpectedly, they found each other again in February 2024. What was supposed to be friendship lasted just 48 hours before sparks reignited.
McCord has joked her clothes literally “evaporate” around Cipriani, suggesting the chemistry was instant and undeniable when they reconnected. They went public with their romance in April 2024 when he posted photos on Instagram. Now, nearly two years later, they’re engaged and planning their future together. Cipriani, a retired rugby star, stepped away from professional play in January 2024 to focus on his personal life and this rekindled love.
The Ring, The Love Story, And Their Promise Rings
Long before the Christmas proposal, both McCord and Cipriani separately purchased promise rings for each other during Thanksgiving in Arizona. Neither knew the other had done the same. This matching symbol of commitment suggested marriage was already on their minds. McCord even considered proposing first herself, confiding in her sisters Rachel and Angel. However, after seeing Cipriani’s reaction to her hesitation, she backed off. He confessed he’d already planned to propose during their Cambodia getaway.
| Detail | Information |
| Ring Type | 15-carat Emerald-cut Diamond with 7 Round Accent Diamonds |
| Metal | Yellow Gold |
| When They Looked at Rings | London, Last Year (2025) |
| Proposal Location | Her Los Angeles Home |
“When I look at Danny, he’s home to me. I think he is a home that I never knew I needed and that I didn’t feel I deserved. I get to love him. It’s the best thing that I’ll ever do.”
— AnnaLynne McCord, Actress and Fiancée
Why AnnaLynne Called This Love Story A Decade Ago
McCord has an incredible story about her certainty in this relationship. She boldly claimed ten years ago, when she first met Cipriani, that they were soulmates destined to marry. Through their breakup, their separation, their time apart, she never wavered in that conviction. Now engaged, she proudly told People magazine: “I was so sure, and I was not wrong.” Her Type A, overachiever personality couldn’t resist adding, “I was right. I win. Yes.” Cipriani adores this side of her, calling her “my crazy girl” with obvious affection and admiration.
McCord is also an activist who visits centers for survivors of human trafficking multiple times yearly through The Love Storm initiative, which raises awareness about human trafficking in educational and empowering ways. Her compassion and commitment to meaningful work clearly resonates with her fiancé. Together, they plan to walk down the aisle to Ruelle’s song “I Get to Love You,” a tune that perfectly captures her joy.
What’s Next for the 90210 Star and the Retired Rugby Legend?
The engagement announcement marks a new chapter for both McCord, best known for her role in the 2008 reboot of 90210 and her work on Days of Our Lives, and Cipriani, a true rugby icon who played for England and multiple professional clubs throughout his career. They celebrated their engagement with loved ones in Cambodia and India, destinations they adore. While no wedding date has been announced yet, the chemistry between them suggests it’s only a matter of time before another major announcement arrives. Their ten-year journey from first meeting to engagement, complete with a heartbreak and a miraculous reunion, proves that sometimes true love is worth the wait and the second chances.
Sources
- People Magazine – Exclusive announcement and quotes from AnnaLynne McCord about the Christmas Day proposal
- Us Weekly – Details on the 90210 star’s engagement to the former rugby player
- Yahoo Entertainment – Coverage of McCord’s public announcement regarding the proposal
