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Metallica’s James Hetfield Proposes To His Girlfriend Underwater

Mary Varvaris

"In a sea full of fish, we caught each other," wrote Hetfield's soon-to-be wife, Adriana Gillett.

Metallica at Optus Stadium
Metallica at Optus Stadium(Credit: Sam Mead)
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Metallica frontman James Hetfield is getting hitched.

In a post shared on the band’s official Instagram account, the Fuel singer revealed that he proposed to his girlfriend, Adriana Gillett, while swimming with whale sharks. And she said yes.

The band shared an image of the couple swimming while wearing snorkelling masks. Hetfield held up a sign that read, “Adriana Gillett, will you marry me?” to which she gave a thumbs-up while underwater. The pic was captioned, “She said yes!”

Posting the same image to her Instagram, Gillett captioned the photo, “The best birthday trip surprise. Swimming with whale sharks on Friday the 13th with the most unique, special, and romantic proposal a Pisces could ever imagine. In a sea full of fish, we caught each other. Thank you, God, for putting us together.”

Louder Sound notes that the couple – Gillett, previously a journalist and now a fashion designer – were first linked together in 2023.

Hetfield was previously married to Francesca Tomasi. They met in 1992 and married in 1997. They divorced in 2022, citing irreconcilable differences.

After TMZ initially reported news about their separation, Tomasi confirmed the news, writing: “After 30 years of ups and downs but always with a lot of love, I am extremely saddened that my marriage has come to this.” The pair share three children.

In November, Metallica toured Australia for the first time since headlining Soundwave Festival in 2013. For the long-awaited shows, the American metal icons were joined by special guests Evanescence and Suicidal Tendencies.

Reviewing Metallica’s recent Optus Stadium show, The Music’s Sam Mead declared: “The ante is upped as all members of the band take helm at the front of the catwalk and shred the life force out of Master Of Puppets to crowd now worshipping the gods of rock as they chant ‘obey your master’ getting a gift of fireworks for their efforts and a hearty chuckle. Cue rapture of applause.”

Mead also highlighted the “lusciously expressive” visuals, “effortless” musicianship and banter, and praised the night’s support acts, Evanescence and Suicidal Tendencies.