The actor previously called out fans for their hate comments and asked them to “move forward in positivity and respect”

The Outer Banks star, 26, opened up about his relationship with his girlfriend Elaine Siemek and the onslaught of hate comments she’s received since the couple went public with their romance.

“I think a lot of people can intertwine a narrative and what they want to believe. And they take it out on someone that doesn’t deserve it,” the actor told Cosmopolitan. “That’s unfortunate and it’s hard. And what’s even more unfortunate is that it’s not in my control. That’s why I spoke up — no one should go through something like that.”

Rudy Pankow and Elaine Siemek. Elaine Siemek Instagram

The couple began dating after meeting on the set of the hit Netflix drama in 2020. When Siemek was first on the receiving end of negative comments from devoted fans, Pankow issued a public plea on Instagram in August 2021 and asked viewers to be kind and mindful.

“I’m here to call out the disrespect and harassment someone who I love dearly is getting on a daily basis. It has gotten to the degree where lies are being spread and accusations are being said that go [sic] beyond the normal ‘hate,'” he wrote alongside a photo of the pair.

“Not only is she not what she is being accused of being, she is the complete opposite and actively is so. Accusing someone you don’t know of being abusive and manipulative is not ok, especially when you don’t know the relationship personally,” he continued.

Rudy Pankow and Elaine Siemek. Elaine Siemek/Instagram

Pankow added that while he may not post about his relationship regularly, he is still “very happy” with Siemek. He also asked fans to “move forward in positivity and respect.”

In his conversation with Cosmopolitan, he noted that some fans “truly did here” his request, but the experience shifted his perspective, adding, “There’s a part of me that was like, What do I truly care about? And that’s how I led my life after that.”

Over the years, the couple has fielded rumors about their relationship. In October 2022, Siemek addressed speculation that she cheated on the actor when fan shared a picture of a couple kissing and claimed it was her and a mystery man.

“Y’all stupid as hell for thinking that’s me and also on the ‘1st of last month’ we were flying from Barbados to Italy so,” she addressed the rumors in her Instagram Stories at the time. “Please stop posting bulls— narratives that you make up because you’re bored.”

She continued, “It’s exhausting and embarrassing.”

Outer Banks Season 4 Part 1 will drop Oct. 10 on Netflix, with Part 2 coming on Nov. 7.