Emma McKeon and Cody Simpson knew they had a connection. It was a year before they acted on it.

Cody Simpson has lived quite the life in the spotlight. After a Grammy-nominated record producer from the US discovered his YouTube music videos, Simpson was fast-tracked to fame as a teenager.

He's released four solo albums, performed on Broadway and acted on television — but that wasn't the only dream he wanted to pursue.

Both Simpson's parents were professional swimmers. His dad, Brad, swam for Australia at the 1994 Commonwealth Games; while his mum, Angie, competed at the 1987 Pan Pacific Games.

In 2022, Simpson joined the Australian Swim Team after qualifying for the Commonwealth Games. It was there he met his now-girlfriend, Olympic swimming champion Emma McKeon.

Simpson and McKeon were first linked in May 2022. The swimmers later went Instagram official when Simpson posted a photo of the pair in Barcelona in July that year.

"A brief rendezvous in Barcelona with my love," he captioned the post.

Cody and Emma became "Instagram official" in 2022. Instagram/@codysimpson.

Simpson told 7NEWS Spotlight he always knew McKeon was "special" but it took a year before anything came of their relationship.

"I always acknowledged there was a connection that we had... But, we didn’t act on it until what ended up being a year later."

"But you know, I always saw her as this special person, to me. Like overall, pretty inspiring human."

Simpson, 27, told 7NEWS Spotlight he always knew McKeon, 30, was "special" but it took a year before anything came of their relationship.

"I always acknowledged there was a connection that we had... But, we didn’t act on it until what ended up being a year later."

"But you know, I always saw her as this special person, to me. Like overall, pretty inspiring human."

"I always saw her as this special person." Image: Instagram/@codysimpson.

"This is the most authentically happy I’ve ever seen him in my life," Simpson's mum Angie told Spotlight. Simpson and McKeon feel the same way.

"We’re loving where we’re at, at the moment," McKeon said.

"We talk every day about how happy we are and how lucky we are," added Simpson.

Watch: Cody Simpson in The Masked Singer Australia final. Post continues below.

In April 2023, the couple reportedly purchased a home together on the Gold Coast. Earlier this year, Simpson said his girlfriend is "one of the greatest".

"To be able to have that understanding, that mutual understanding at home and when we're training is special," he told The Apple and the Tree podcast.

"To have that kind of connection […] It's nice to be able to do it together."

Simpson joyfully supported McKeon as she competed at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Simpson didn't make the team, but that didn't stop him from enjoying his partner's big moment in Paris.

"What a night. No words to articulate my pride, you Olympic Champion," Simpson wrote on Instagram, after she won a record sixth gold medal in the Australian relay.

"6 x times Olympic Champion. Rarified air, my love," he wrote on his Instagram Stories.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cody Simpson (@codysimpson)

McKeon had announced Paris would be her final Olympics.

"I think swimming will always be a part of my life and has been for my whole life so far but this will definitely be my last Olympics, so I’m excited for that," McKeon told 7News.

Now, McKeon has shared a powerful statement as she retires from professional swimming.

"Today I am officially retiring from competitive swimming," she wrote in the caption of an Instagram post on November 25.

"Leading into Paris, I knew it would be my last Olympics, and the months since have given me time to reflect on my journey, and think about what I wanted my future to look like in swimming.

"I am proud of myself for giving my swimming career absolutely everything, both physically and mentally. I wanted to see what I was capable of — and I did.

"Swimming has given me so much. From the dream igniting at 5 years old, right through to my third Olympic games- I have so many lessons, experiences, friendships and memories that I am so thankful for. Along with every person who supported me, worked hard with me, and cheered me on. THANKYOU.

"Now I am excited to see how I can push myself in other ways, and for all the things that life has in store."

This article was originally published in June 2024. It has been updated with new information.

Feature Image: Instagram/@codysimpson @emmamckeon.

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