Fil-Am ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ actor Nico Santos is now married
Photos from nicosantos/Instagram and zekesmith/Instagram
On Nov. 3 to 5, the city of Palm Springs, California celebrated its Pride weekend. Aside from the vibrant festival and parade, though, there was another memorable event happening in the vacation go-to: a wedding.
On Nov. 4, Filipino-American actor Nico Santos and two-time reality TV series “Survivor” contestant Zeke Smith tied the knot at the Parker Hotel. According to People, the couple weren’t actually aware that their big day would happen at the same time as Palm Springs’ Pride festivities. After learning it from a friend, though, the two decided to take it as a sign.
“It’s a big gay wedding,” said Santos. “A lot of our guests are queer as well, so we thought let’s just stick to the date and have it during Pride weekend. So it’ll be extra gay.”
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The 44-year-old star is most popularly known as Olivier T’sien in 2018 film “Crazy Rich Asians” and Mateo Liwanag in sitcom “Superstore.” His acting credits also include “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.” Meanwhile, aside from playing in “Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X” and “Survivor: Game Changers,” 35-year-old Smith is a writer and comedian.
The ceremony by the nearly six-year couple was officiated by Mark McKinney, Santos’ “Superstore” co-star.
“We own a home together, have a joint bank account. We’re each other’s emergency contacts. By all sorts of metrics we are married,” said Smith in the same People exclusive. “But actually having the ceremony, making it legal, it’s about becoming a family. We’re in it forever. Through thick and thin and easy and hard. We’re going to be the person that’s there for the other one.”
The report also reveals that the wedding visuals take inspiration from the pair’s individual roots—Santos from Manila, Philippines and Smith from Edmond, Oklahoma. They “incorporated natural woven accents that evoked Filipino design aesthetics” and also “leather, fringe, and Western movie-themed posters.”
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“Superstore” actress Kaliko Kauahi shared some photos from the wedding on Instagram: “Spent the weekend celebrating two of the best people I know. I was so honored to share in the most moving, joyful, and beautiful wedding I’ve ever been to.”
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Nico Santos and Smith got engaged on the GLAAD Media Awards stage in April 2022.
