Kaley Cuoco and Ex Johnny Galecki Kept Real-Life Relationship Secret So It Wouldn’t ‘Ruin’ Their ‘Big Bang Theory’ Romance

usmagazine.com:

Does art imitate life? Kaley Cuoco and Johnny Galecki kept their real-life romance a secret — partially out of concern that it would ruin their Big Bang Theory characters’ relationship for fans.“When we were dating, Johnny was very worried about ruining the fans’ outlook on Leonard and Penny, because they weren’t even dating yet at that point in the series,” the Flight Attendant star, 36, said in an excerpt from The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story, published by Vanity Fair on Monday, October 3. “He was so cerebral, and I’m like, ‘What?!

Who f–kin’ cares?! They’re gonna be fine!'”After Galecki, 47, clarified that he was more concerned that it would “complicate” fans’ perceptions of the character, Cuoco explained that she eventually came around to his point of view. “I was just so crazy about him, I wasn’t thinking that way,” she said. “But I guess in hindsight, I kind of understood.

He was very protective of what the fans would think, because we wanted them to want Leonard and Penny together so badly, that if they saw us together in real life, it could ruin the fantasy.”The Roseanne alum added: “And if we broke up, how would that affect their acceptance of the characters? … At that point in my life, that felt embarrassing.

I would feel differently about it today. … But at that time, it was complicated for me, and we didn’t talk about it. And Kaley was really respectful of the parameters that I had about it.”Though the now-exes did eventually tell their costars and coworkers that they were together, the stress of keeping their relationship hidden from the public eventually took its toll. “I think one of the things that created a chasm between us was my strict policies of privacy, and Kaley being very, very