Photo: Deonté Lee/BFA.com
Kate BosworthandJustin Longare stepping out as a newly-engaged couple.
The pair made their first public appearance sinceannouncing their engagementon behalf of an environmental effort underway in New York City on Wednesday. Held at the Nolita store forsustainable shoe brand Rothy’s, theEarth Dayevent supports an effort to keep plastic bottles out of landfills (the little known New York Bottle Bill), in partnership with nonprofitsSure We CanandNYPIRG.
Before the night got underway, Bosworth, 40, and Long, 44, spoke with PEOPLE about their relationship and being environmentally conscious.
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PEOPLE: When did you each discover you were both passionate about the environment?
Kate Bosworth:I discovered Justin’s early on because when I first went to his hometown — it’s a small town called Fairfield — and he picked me up from the airport in…
Justin Long:Well, an old Prius kind of a beat up —
Bosworth:2000?
Long:It’s a 2007 Prius. I still have it! I have a couple Bernie Sanders stickers on the back and she’s like, “Oh, okay. I’m doing a little thin slice of this guy.”
Bosworth:It’s like, it’s a well-loved, well-used environmentally conscious vehicle.
Long:We learned early on how much we loved animals and I love sea turtles in particular. And so I was brought into this particular project through my love of that specific animal and how plastic waste is affecting that beautiful species that’s been around for 150 million years. And so when we learned what Rothy’s is doing and how they’re championing sustainability in that arena, we were just so inspired.
Bosworth:Yeah. I mean, I’ve worn Rothy’s for years. I’m like a walking billboard for them.
Long:People eavesdropping would probably think she works for the company.
Deonté Lee/BFA.com
PEOPLE: Tonight marks you’re first time stepping out since publicly announcing your engagement. Do you each feel different?
RELATED VIDEO: Kate Bosworth Reveals Justin Long Proposed to Her After They Had ‘Spoken to a Therapist’ Together
Bosworth:Yeah, it was really, it was super overwhelming. I mean, as I said in my Instagram post, how do you announce these things? It’s funny because normally I guess people would announce it to their friends and family, but there’s a certain point where, when you’re in the public arena that it’s time to share something with the world.
Long:We enjoy our privacy and it’s such a personal thing that it’s why we decided to talk about it on our podcast.
Bosworth:I guess the simplest way is just to say how excited we are to be embarking on the next chapter.
Long:But to answer your question too, it doesn’t feel all that different. I just have always felt so close to her and loved being with her regardless of what our labels and status are but it has been really nice to see people’s receptions now that, it’s been to really heartwarming.
source: people.com
