Shanna Moakler is enjoying a new romance with Days of Our Lives star Greg Vaughan after ending a turbulent relationship and navigating what she described as a difficult divorce.
In an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com, the former Playboy model opened up about the relationship she kept private for 18 months, how her children — Atiana De La Hoya, 26, Landon Barker, 21, and Alabama Barker, 19 — feel about Greg, and whether she could walk down the aisle again.
Shanna, who turned 50 on March 28, publicly introduced Greg, 51, as her boyfriend on her birthday. The couple shared photos wearing matching cowboy hats and gazing affectionately at one another.
Greg also acknowledged their relationship in a birthday tribute to Shanna, writing: “The human heart has potential for deep contentment, joy and confidence… some stories don’t fade with time… they wait for the right moment to be found again.”
Few people knew that the pair had met decades earlier before reconnecting at an event hosted by Jason Momoa in Los Angeles in November 2023.
“Greg and I actually first met in 1994 in South Beach when we were both aspiring models. It was such an electric time to be there — full of energy, opportunity, and a lot of hustle.”
Shanna Moakler spoke exclusively with DailyMail.com about her new relationship with Days of Our Lives star Greg Vaughan
Shanna, 50, and Greg, 51, went public with their romance on the former Playboy model’s birthday last month after sharing photos of each other on Instagram
Shanna told DailyMail.com that she first met Greg nearly 30 years ago at a pool hall in South Beach, Florida, where they were spending time with mutual friends
“We were just two kids figuring it all out, and it’s wild to think our story started way back then,” Shanna said in a new interview.
The pair first connected at the South Beach pool hall, where Shanna — now the executive director of Miss Nevada USA — beat Greg at a game. She jokes that “he’ll never live that down.”
She said they “had a little Miami moment and briefly dated,” but their lives soon took them in separate directions.
They later appeared together in the 1997 thriller Poison Ivy: The New Seduction, one of the earliest films in both of their careers.
“Over the years, we’d run into each other in Los Angeles, on set, or through mutual friends, but nothing ever really lined up… until Jason Momoa’s vodka launch in November 2023,” she said.
The November 20, 2023, launch of Momoa’s Meili Vodka at Hyde Sunset Kitchen + Cocktails proved to be a turning point for the former couple.
“Life really came full circle, and I think that’s what makes this all feel so special,” Shanna said.
Shanna and Greg kept their romance private for almost a year and a half, even after dating speculation began in April 2024, when they were seen together at a Black Keys album release party in Los Angeles.
Greg and Shanna dated privately for nearly 18 months. “We really just wanted something for us. No pressure, no headlines — just real moments, privately shared,” she said
Shanna told DailyMail.com of her relationship with Greg: “Life really came full circle, and I think that’s what makes this all feel so special”
“We’ve both been through the highs and lows of public relationships, and after living in the Hollywood spotlight for so long, we really just wanted something for us,” she explained.
“No pressure, no headlines — just real moments, privately shared.”
“It’s been so refreshing to build something healthy, peaceful, and full of joy without the noise. Sometimes the best love stories grow quietly, and that’s exactly what we needed.”
Because Greg was living in Texas while Shanna was based in California, the first six months of their relationship were long-distance.
Shanna admitted that the arrangement “wasn’t easy” at first, but said Greg has “always” made her feel like a priority and has consistently communicated well.
Greg has also spent time with Shanna’s children. She shares Atiana with ex Oscar De La Hoya and her younger children, Landon and Alabama, with ex-husband Travis Barker.
Although Greg is an empty nester, he began joining Shanna and her children for “casual things like dinners and movie nights” after the couple had been together for six months.
“I think my kids are really happy to see me with someone who’s grounded, close to my age, and shares so many of the same values,” she said.
Greg and Shanna reconnected at Jason Momoa’s Meili Vodka launch on November 20, 2023. Shanna described the evening as a “game changer”
The couple fueled romance rumors in April 2024 after appearing close at the Black Keys album release party at Bar Marmont in Los Angeles
Shanna said of Greg: “He’s my best friend, my safe space, and the person I can totally be myself around, no filter needed. Plus, he’s a hardworking, loving dad with that classic Southern charm. Chivalry is definitely not dead with him”
“More than anything, they see how well he treats me, and that matters most. They genuinely like Greg and respect him, both as a man and as a father. That kind of connection means a lot to all of us.”
Greg has three sons — Jathan, Cavan and Landan — from his former marriage to Touriya Haoud, whom he married in 2006 and divorced in 2014.
“Honestly, I was more nervous about meeting his children since they’re younger, but we all just kind of clicked. It felt easy and natural, which is rare and really special,” Shanna said.
With Greg’s children living in Texas and hers based in California, the families “haven’t had a ton of time together yet,” although they have exchanged greetings over FaceTime.
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“Everyone’s been really kind and open. I’m definitely looking forward to the day we can all meet in person. Fingers crossed for a big blended-family dinner soon!”
“We’re both back and forth between Texas and Los Angeles for work and family, but we’ve found a rhythm that really works.”
Shanna relocated to Texas in September 2024 to be closer to the soap opera star.
Following his marriage to Dutch model Touriya, Greg dated and became engaged to Rizzoli & Isles actress Angie Harmon. The engagement ended in 2021.
Shanna said her children, including son Landon, 21, are pleased to see her with someone “grounded, close to my age, and” who shares many of their values
She added: “More than anything, they see how well he treats me, and that matters most. They genuinely like Greg and respect him, both as a man and as a father. That kind of connection means a lot to all of us”
Shanna said Greg began spending time with her children after six months of dating, joining them for “casual things like dinners and movie nights” (Alabama, Landon and Atiana are pictured in 2022 with Reign Disick, Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker)
Shanna was married to Travis Barker, who is now married to Kourtney Kardashian, from 2004 until 2008.
She later dated biker Bryan Sollima from 2014 to 2019 and model Matthew Rondeau from 2020 until 2023.
Matthew was arrested and charged with felony domestic violence in 2022 following an alleged altercation with Shanna.
The 31-year-old pleaded not guilty to all charges, including domestic violence, vandalism and battery. The charges were later dismissed.
Reflecting on that relationship, Shanna told DailyMail.com: “I learned that forcing a connection never works — it only drains you.”
“That relationship pushed me to do some serious internal work and really ask myself why I accepted something that didn’t align with my values.”
“I came out of it stronger, with a better sense of boundaries and a deeper love for myself. Sometimes the hardest chapters teach you the most.”
Looking back at her previous relationships, Shanna said her romance with Greg feels distinctly different.
Shanna was married to Travis Barker from 2004 to 2008. Comparing her past relationships with her current romance, she said: “This feels like a mature love built on honesty, mutual respect, and real communication. In the past, those things weren’t always present. With Greg, there’s no drama, no guessing”
The Miss Nevada USA executive director dated model Matthew Rondeau from 2020 until 2023
Before dating Shanna, Greg was engaged to Rizzoli & Isles actress Angie Harmon from 2019 to 2021 (pictured with his sons and her daughters in 2019)
“This feels like a mature love built on honesty, mutual respect, and real communication. In the past, those things weren’t always present. With Greg, there’s no drama, no guessing,” she said.
“We just show up for each other in the most genuine way. It’s calm, steady, and exactly what I didn’t know I needed.”
“Greg is one of those rare souls who just gets you. He didn’t break my heart, but somehow he managed to heal it, and that says everything.”
“He’s my best friend, my safe space, and the person I can totally be myself around, no filter needed. Plus, he’s a hardworking, loving dad with that classic Southern charm. Chivalry is definitely not dead with him!”
The couple also share many of the same interests and are content with low-key evenings, such as watching “a great movie” and spending quality time together. Shanna said they are both “easy to please.”
“We love discovering new food spots, listening to country music, and getting a little competitive over backgammon, pool, or darts. We definitely bond over our love of games,” she said.
Asked whether she would consider marriage again, Shanna said the possibility remains open.
“I definitely still believe in marriage and all the beauty that comes with it,” she said.
Shanna told DailyMail.com: “I truly feel like I’m in the best place I’ve ever been”
“Greg and I have both been married before, and we’ve both gone through some really tough divorces, so it’s not something either of us is rushing into.”
“But it’s not off the table for me. I can’t speak for him, but I do know that what we have now is real, and we’re taking things one meaningful step at a time.”
For now, Shanna is savoring her relationship with Greg and embracing this new chapter of her life in her 50s.
“I truly feel like I’m in the best place I’ve ever been,” she said.
“After going through a lot of loss — losing my parents and some friendships along the way — this chapter feels like a new beginning.”
“Greg’s working on some amazing projects and I’m diving into producing and creating as well. It’s exciting to be building something alongside someone who not only understands the industry, but genuinely supports and celebrates my goals.”
She added: “Making new memories with that kind of partner is everything.”
