When Julia Roberts met cameraman Danny Moder on the set of The Mexican in 2000, Hollywood gossip columns immediately locked onto a brewing storm. Roberts was at the peak of her movie-star fame, wrapped in a high-profile romance with actor Benjamin Bratt. Moder, meanwhile, was working behind the camera as a cinematographer and was married to makeup artist Vera Steimberg. What followed was a messy public unraveling involving delayed divorces, tabloid accusations, and a notorious handmade t-shirt that cemented the drama into pop culture history.
Tabloids framed the romance as a classic tale of a superstar stealing someone else's partner. Decades later, the couple has built a lasting marriage, but the timeline of how they came together remains one of the most polarizing chapters of early-2000s celebrity culture.
The Set of The Mexican and Existing Relationships
In 2000, production on The Mexican brought Roberts and Brad Pitt together, but it also introduced Roberts to Moder. At the time, both were deeply entrenched in other partnerships. Roberts and Benjamin Bratt were a fixture of red-carpet events, while Moder and Steimberg had been married since 1997.
Co-workers noticed an immediate chemistry, though Roberts later maintained that they initially kept things strictly professional. They recognized mutual creative passions, yet both stayed within the boundaries of their respective commitments for a time. By mid-2001, however, the structure of both relationships collapsed. Bratt's publicist confirmed the split between him and Roberts in June 2001, shortly after rumors reached a fever pitch.
Accusations, Divorce Delays, and the A Low Vera T-Shirt
The breakup of Moder's marriage to Steimberg did not happen overnight. Steimberg reportedly contested the divorce initially, creating a prolonged legal standoff that fueled tabloid frenzy.
During this intense public scrutiny, Roberts made a choice that threw fuel on the fire. She was photographed wearing a homemade pink t-shirt with the handwritten phrase "A Low Vera" scrawled across the front—a transparent jab at Steimberg.
The stunt drew heavy criticism, painting the actress as unapologetic about the fallout. Years later, when asked about the shirt on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Roberts offered a terse defense, stating it was private and that she stood by her choice. Steimberg, in interviews with British tabloids, did not hold back either, labeling Roberts a home-wrecker and predicting the new romance wouldn't last.
How Roberts and Moder Defended Their Timeline
Roberts has consistently rejected the narrative that she actively sabotaged Moder's marriage. In her interview with Oprah Winfrey, she addressed the controversy head-on:
"He sorted his whole thing out, separate and apart from me. And I sorted my life out, separate and apart from him. I think that's the only reason we were able to ultimately fall in love with each other and be together."
According to this perspective, both individuals recognized that their prior relationships were already fractured before they chose to cross the line together. Moder officially filed for divorce from Steimberg shortly after his separation from Roberts became public, and the legal dissolution was finalized in mid-2002.
Moving Past the Scandal to a Quiet Life
Just months after the divorce was finalized, Roberts and Moder married on July 4, 2002, in a surprise ceremony at her ranch in Taos, New Mexico. Guests thought they were gathering for a standard Independence Day barbecue, only to watch the couple exchange vows in a low-key setting. Roberts wore a simple pastel pink halter dress, rejecting traditional Hollywood opulence in favor of a rustic celebration.
In the years following their wedding, the pair stepped back from the relentless media glare that defined their early years. They welcomed three children—twins Hazel and Phinnaeus, followed by son Henry—and relocated much of their family life away from downtown Los Angeles to maintain privacy.
While the beginning of their relationship remains a textbook example of Hollywood friction, their longevity has defied early predictions. They continue to collaborate occasionally on film projects, balancing high-profile careers with a deliberately shielded domestic life.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Julia Roberts and Danny Moder get married?
They married on July 4, 2002, in a secret ceremony at Roberts' ranch in New Mexico, roughly one year after Moder filed for divorce from his first wife.
Who was Danny Moder married to before Julia Roberts?
Moder was married to makeup artist Vera Steimberg from 1997 until their divorce was finalized in 2002.
What was the meaning behind the A Low Vera t-shirt?
The shirt was a play on words targeting Vera Steimberg. Roberts wore it publicly during the height of the divorce proceedings, drawing widespread backlash from media outlets and fans.
Did Benjamin Bratt comment on the breakup?
Benjamin Bratt handled the split with relative discretion. His publicist simply confirmed that he and Roberts were no longer together, and Bratt moved on to marry actress Talisa Soto shortly afterward.
