Cara Santana Opens Up About Her ‘Wonderful’ Romance with Boyfriend Shannon Leto (Exclusive)

Cara Santana, Shannon Leto. Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for The Art of Elysium

Actress Cara Santana celebrated a significant night with her long-term partner, Shannon Leto, by her side.

“It's fantastic,” Santana, 39, told We exclusively about their relationship on Saturday, January 6th, at the Art of Elysium HEAVEN Gala. The organization aims to use art to create social change and assist those in need. "We're here tonight to celebrate a cause that is close to both of our hearts, which is art. It's amazing to be able to celebrate and enjoy the performances. I'm excited to see what [honoree] Neil [Gaiman] has planned."

After being in a relationship for "three and a half" years, Santana revealed to Us that the key to a lasting romance is to keep an open mind. "I believe that when you least expect it, it will happen," she shared.

While she didn't provide specifics about her love life, the Daughter of the Bride star expressed optimism about her and Leto's relationship. When questioned about her future with the 53-year-old Thirty Seconds to Mars musician, she replied, "Definitely!"

Santana was presented with the Spirit Award by The Art of Elysium’s CEO, Jennifer Howell, at Saturday’s gala. “I believe that art and service go hand in hand, and as a young girl, I was always transported out of my reality when I read a book, watched a movie, or heard a song,” she explained to Us. “I wanted to be able to provide that same experience, so Art of Elysium is the perfect organization for me.”

Taking to Instagram, Santana expressed her gratitude for the organization while sharing photos of herself and Leto in coordinating black and white outfits. “Thank you @theartofelysium for your efforts in using creativity and art to bring healing to those in need,” she posted on Sunday, January 7. “It has been an honor to be involved and an even greater honor to celebrate another amazing gala with so many people I love.”

Presley Ann/Getty Images for The Art of Elysium

Santana chose to wear a flowing black silk gown adorned with a white calla lily pattern to the event, while Shannon, the older brother of actor Jared Leto, opted for a striped suit and a graphic T-shirt to complement her look.

An exclusive source confirmed to We in August 2020 that Santana started dating Shannon after her messy breakup with ex Jesse Metcalfe. "They've split and are not together," another source told Us earlier that year, clarifying, "He did not cheat on her."

The ex-couple had been together for over ten years and became engaged in August 2016. Their split in January 2020 coincided with cheating rumors surrounding Metcalfe, 45, after photos emerged of him getting close to other women. "Cara was completely caught off guard when the photos came out," another insider revealed to Us at the time.

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Following the breakup, Metcalfe went on to date model Corin Jamie-Lee Clark from December 2020 to December 2022.

With reporting by Hannah Kahn