Exclusive: Cory Booker Supports Girlfriend Rosario Dawson at LA Premiere of Her Doc 'The Need to Grow'; Calls Her 'The Love of My Life'

Democratic presidential contender says 'I'm so blessed to have her be the center of my life'

Sen. Cory Booker with girlfriend Rosario Dawson at the LA premiere of the documentary "The Need to Grow." At left is director/producer Rob Herring. Los Angeles, Wednesday, October 9, 2019. Photo by Matt Carey

The LA premiere of the new documentary The Need to Grow took on a twist with the appearance of a surprise guest - Democratic presidential candidate Cory Booker.

The Senator from New Jersey came to the Landmark Theater in Los Angeles in support of his girlfriend, Rosario Dawson, who narrates and executive produces the film about the alarming loss of farmable soil and what can be done to regenerate this essential resource.

​The couple held hands and took pictures on the red carpet, where they were joined by director/producers Rob Herring and Ryan Wirick and several of the subjects of the film, including biochemist, chef and farmer Erik Cutter and soil regeneration innovator Michael Smith.

I'm just really proud of her and what she continues to do with her art.

--Sen. Cory Booker, speaking with Nonfictionfilm.com about girlfriend Rosario Dawson

Booker and Dawson previously kept their relationship relatively quiet; in a radio interview in February the senator acknowledged only, "I'm dating someone really special. I got a boo."

​But Wednesday night Booker didn't hold back on his feelings for the actress and activist, in an exclusive interview with Nonfictionfilm.com. Watch below.

In our conversation, Sen. Booker also expressed support for the message of Dawson's documentary.  

"I think there's an urgency in this country [about soil depletion] in a way that people don't understand," he told me. "Soil erosion, the toxicity of our soil, these are crises, but they're also profound opportunities to deal with the climate crisis. The right soil practices can pull carbon out of the air." 

The documentary is streaming free for the next week at TheNeedToGrow.com.