Sarah Larson Opens Up About Clooney Romance

George Clooney and Sarah Larson’s romance was a long time coming.

While it’s been widely reported that the lovebirds first met at the Ocean’s Thirteen premiere at Palms Casino in Las Vegas last year, the 28-year-old former cocktail waitress reveals that the two first crossed paths years back.

"It was on his birthday three or four years ago at Whiskey at Green Valley Ranch in Las Vegas," she tells the Las Vegas Review Journal.

George was gallivanting with some pals, including Rande Gerber, owner of Whiskey and better known as Cindy Crawford’s husband, “and I was with some friends,” Sarah continues. "We were all dancing, taking pictures, being silly."

Nothing came of that moment as Sarah, a former Fear Factor contestant, was seeing someone else at the time.

Cut to June 2007 when the Oscar winner came to town to premiere his heist flick and called the brunette up.

"He heard I was working at Moon nightclub," she says and after he tracked her down, "we hung out.”

Things quite quickly for the two – a month later, George whisked her away to his home in Lake Como, Italy, where the couple will retreat to next month to celebrate the actor’s 47th birthday (on May 6) and to kick-start Sarah’s modeling career.

“We'll be in Como, which isn't that far from Milano," she says.

Her beau is more than supportive of her career aspirations, Sarah, who modeled a swimsuit at L.A. Fashion Week, says.

"Your boyfriend better be. If they aren't, you gotta kick 'em in the butt and walk away."