What Matthew McConaughey's Exes Have Said About Him

Matthew McConaughey may insist that he never dates his co-stars, but his romantic history suggests otherwise. Before settling down with Camila Alves, McConaughey had his fair share of relationships and flings with leading ladies like Ashley Judd, Sandra Bullock, Penelope Cruz, and even Janet Jackson (yup, they were totally a thing). Remarkably, none of his former flames have ever aired any dirty laundry about him.

This lack of drama could probably stem from how McConaughey views his past relationships. He once shared with Elle a perspective that might explain why he's managed to keep things so amicable with most of his former partners. "I don't dislike any of my exes," he said. "If I took time to form a relationship, it's gonna hurt when we move on, but are you puttin' Wite-Out over all that beautiful time together? That was real time in your life. It's connected to where you are today."

Given his no-burning-of-bridges philosophy, it's no wonder his exes haven't turned into foes. Who needs messy breakups when you can be pals with your past loves? In fact, more celebrities should be taking a page out of McConaughey's book. Here's the scoop of some of his alleged romantic relationships, including exes that have given him glowing endorsements.

Much like Ashley Judd, Matthew McConaughey met Sandra Bullock on the set of "A Time to Kill." After his fling with Judd, McConaughey entered a relationship with Bullock, and they managed to date for two years with barely anyone hearing a peep about it. It wasn't quite love at first sight, but Bullock quickly became one of McConaughey's first cheerleaders when he was still an industry underdog. Despite his not being the first choice for the film's lead, Bullock saw his star potential and didn't hesitate to throw her support behind him. "I said, 'If it's a strong, honest actor, it's my privilege to be opposite him.' I know Kevin [Spacey] and Samuel [L. Jackson] felt privileged," she told Rolling Stone. "Matthew is incredibly grounded, and anyone who is around him feels it." She added, "People keep saying, 'Hollywood is going to take him by storm.' I think it's the other way around. And Matthew will do it right."

And he did, of course! McConaughey eventually became one of Hollywood's elite, proving that Bullock's bet was spot on. Though the two never made it to the altar, Bullock and McConaughey forged an enduring friendship. "It's the work we both put in. There's a great amount of respect and love. I feel very cared for by Matthew," she shared with Cosmopolitan. "No matter where he is in his life or where I am in mine — he could be married — I know we would stay close."

Before Matthew McConaughey got with his wife Camila Alves, he was first smitten with Penelope Cruz, whom he met on the set of the film "Sahara." They were largely private, though, with Cruz saying that she didn't want outside parties to interfere with their relationship, especially since they were both public figures. "I have no problems in recognizing I have something with Matthew, because there's nothing to hide," she shared with Mexican newspaper Reforma, according to Trib Live. "But it is something I prefer not to talk about because it always ends up coming back against you." She did share, however, that they were just friends, but their relationship blossomed unexpectedly into something more. "We became good friends and a month later it is something different. I think it's part of the mystery of love," she explained. "I can't explain these things."

They didn't last long, though, with the two succumbing to the classic celebrity relationship killer — conflicting schedules. Their joint statement to People at the time noted that they " mutually decided four weeks ago that separating was the best thing to do at this time." 

Not long after, McConaughey met Alves, and the rest, as they say, is history. Meanwhile, Cruz found love with Javier Bardem, with whom she shares two children.