Ayo Edebiri, the breakout star of FX’s critically acclaimed series “The Bear,” has captured audiences worldwide with her compelling portrayal of Sydney Adamu. As her career continues to soar with Emmy nominations and major film roles, fans are increasingly curious about her personal life, particularly her romantic relationships. The talented actress and comedian has managed to maintain a remarkably private personal life despite her rising fame, leading to widespread speculation about her dating status.
The 28-year-old Boston native has become one of Hollywood’s most sought-after young talents, starring alongside Jeremy Allen White in “The Bear” and lending her voice to major animated films like “Inside Out 2.” Her success has naturally drawn public interest in her off-screen relationships, with fans eagerly dissecting every public appearance and social media post for clues about her romantic life. While Edebiri has consistently chosen to keep her personal relationships away from the spotlight, several confirmed and rumored relationships have emerged over the years.
From her publicly confirmed relationship with actor Colin Burgess to persistent rumors linking her with co-stars Jeremy Allen White and Paul Mescal, Edebiri’s dating history reflects her preference for privacy while the complexities of fame. Recent developments have also connected her to musician Jamen Whitelock, adding another layer to the ongoing speculation. Understanding her relationship timeline provides insight into how this rising star balances personal privacy with public scrutiny in an increasingly connected entertainment.
Colin Burgess: The Confirmed Relationship
Ayo Edebiri (Image via Getty)
The only publicly confirmed romantic relationship in Ayo Edebiri’s dating history involves actor and comedian Colin Burgess. Their relationship became public knowledge through two significant social media moments that offered rare glimpses into Edebiri’s private life.
The couple made their most significant public appearance together at the Emmy Awards in September 2022, where Edebiri served as a first-time presenter. Burgess attended as her date and later shared photos from the event on Instagram with the caption: “Congrats to my gf Ayo on presenting her first Emmy.” This Emmy appearance represented a milestone moment for both Edebiri’s career and their relationship.
Current Status with Burgess
The current status of Edebiri and Burgess’s relationship remains unclear. When fans discovered their relationship in September 2023, some expressed negative reactions, prompting Burgess’s friend, “Fire Island” actor Joel Kim Booster, to defend him on social media. Booster wrote in a since-deleted tweet: “I’ve known Ayo’s boyfriend for close to a decade and he is such a kind, smart, funny dude and y’all are being weird as shit.”
As of 2024, neither Edebiri nor Burgess has provided updates about their relationship status, maintaining their preference for privacy. The lack of recent public appearances or social media posts together has led to speculation about whether they remain together.
Jeremy Allen White: Co-Star Chemistry Sparks Romance Rumors
Ayo Edebiri (Image via Getty)
The most persistent dating rumors surrounding Ayo Edebiri involve her “The Bear” co-star Jeremy Allen White. Their on-screen chemistry as Sydney and Carmy has translated into widespread fan speculation about a potential off-screen romance.
The Chicago Cubs Game Incident
Romance rumors intensified in May 2024 when a video surfaced showing Edebiri and White at a Chicago Cubs game at Wrigley Field alongside other cast members. The footage captured White with his hand on Edebiri’s back, gently rubbing it, which fans interpreted as evidence of a romantic relationship. The intimate gesture sparked widespread discussion on social media platforms.
Vanity Fair Interview Revelations
Both actors addressed their relationship in a May 2024 Vanity Fair cover story featuring Edebiri. White expressed his admiration for his co-star, stating: “We genuinely enjoy each other’s company, both on and off-camera. I hold her in high regard as a person and as an artist.”
Despite the mutual admiration and apparent closeness, both actors have maintained that they are simply close friends and professional collaborators.
Paul Mescal: The St. Patrick’s Day Connection
Ayo Edebiri (Image via Getty)
Another significant rumor linked Edebiri to “All of Us Strangers” co-star Paul Mescal following a March 2024 Instagram story post. The image showed Edebiri holding Mescal’s arm as they shared a laugh in a stairwell, with Edebiri captioning it “Happy St. Paddy’s 🍀.”
The post played into an ongoing internet joke about Edebiri being Irish (she’s not), but fans interpreted the intimate nature of the photo as evidence of a romantic relationship. However, sources close to the situation confirmed to People magazine that the two are “just friends.”
Mescal has expressed interest in working with Edebiri again, telling AwardsWatch in November 2023: “I think in the next five years I’m going to set myself a challenge to do maybe a rom-com with Ayo, or something like that would be cool.” Author Emily Henry even reposted their photo, hinting at a potential collaboration on a rom-com adaptation of her work.
Jamen Whitelock: The Latest Connection
More recent speculation has connected Edebiri to musician Jamen Whitelock. In January 2025, Edebiri shared an Instagram story image showing Whitelock kissing her on the cheek. The pair has been photographed together on multiple occasions, though they have never officially confirmed any romantic involvement.
This potential relationship represents the most current speculation about Edebiri’s dating life, though, like her previous rumored connections, she has chosen not to address it publicly.
Edebiri’s Approach to Privacy
Throughout her rising fame, Ayo Edebiri has consistently maintained strict boundaries around her personal life. She has chosen not to discuss her relationships in interviews or on social media, preferring to let her professional work speak for itself. This approach has only intensified public curiosity about her romantic life.
Her commitment to privacy reflects a broader trend among young celebrities who seek to maintain some separation between their public and private personas. Despite fan speculation and media attention, Edebiri continues to focus primarily on her career achievements and artistic collaborations.
Ben Barnes, the charismatic British actor who has captured hearts worldwide through his iconic roles in The Chronicles of Narnia , Shadow and Bone , and The Punisher , remains one of Hollywood’s most enigmatic bachelors when it comes to his personal life. Despite his undeniable charm and leading-man status, the 43-year-old actor has managed to keep his romantic relationships largely out of the public eye, creating an air of mystery that only adds to his appeal.
Born Benjamin Thomas Barnes on August 20, 1981, in London, England, this Leo has built an impressive career spanning over two decades, from his early days in the boy band “Hyrise” to becoming a household name through blockbuster films and critically acclaimed television series. His journey from Kingston University graduate to international heartthrob has been marked by professional success, yet his dating life continues to be a subject of intense speculation among fans and media alike.
The actor’s approach to romance reflects a level of privacy rarely seen in today’s social media-driven celebrity culture. In a rare perspective on love, Barnes once shared insights influenced by his upbringing, noting that his mother, Patricia, works as a relationship therapist, while his father, Thomas Barnes, is a psychiatry professor. This unique family background has shaped his understanding of relationships, as he explained: “Love is something that comes out of a mutual trust with your partner. Shared goals, humor, the excitement when your hands touch.”
Currently, Ben Barnes is single and not publicly dating anyone, though his romantic history includes several high-profile connections and rumored relationships that have kept fans guessing about his love life.
Confirmed Relationships and Dating History
Ben Barnes (Image via Getty)
Tamsin Egerton (2009-2010)
Ben Barnes’s most confirmed relationship was with English actress Tamsin Egerton, best known for her role as Guinevere in the television series Camelot . Their relationship lasted from 2009 to 2010, during which time they were spotted together in Australia, sparking initial media attention about Barnes’s dating life.
The relationship began when rumors surfaced about their close connection Down Under. According to reports at the time, “Tamsin hooked up with Ben a couple of times and there was a lot of talk about how close they were.” However, Egerton herself downplayed the romance, stating she had even “tried to set him up with one of my friends once, but he wouldn’t bite.” Despite the brief nature of their relationship, it marked Barnes’s first publicly acknowledged romantic connection.
Meganne Young (2017)
In 2017, Barnes was linked to South African actress and model Meganne Young, known for her roles in Black Sails , Eye in the Sky , and The Kissing Booth . Their connection became public when Young posted an Instagram photo showing her hugging Barnes from behind during what appeared to be a sunny day outing.
The relationship remained largely speculative, with Young’s social media posts suggesting a close friendship rather than confirming romance. In August 2017, she posted birthday wishes for Barnes, describing him as “one of the sweetest, kindest, gentlest souls I have ever been lucky enough to cross paths with.” Neither actor confirmed the nature of their relationship, leaving fans to speculate about whether their connection was romantic or purely platonic.
Rumored Relationships and Speculated Connections
Ben Barnes (Image via Getty)
Jessie Mei Li (2023)
One of the most recent and heavily speculated relationships involves Barnes’s Shadow and Bone co-star Jessie Mei Li. Fans of the Netflix series have consistently “shipped” the two actors, particularly given their on-screen chemistry as General Kirigan (The Darkling) and Alina Starkov.
Rumors reached their peak in March 2023 when reports suggested the co-stars might be romantically involved. However, these speculations were quickly addressed by Barnes himself through a source who clarified to E! Online that the pair “have been friends for eight years” and emphasized there was “nothing more” to their relationship. This revelation surprised many fans who assumed their connection began with the show’s production.
Felicity Jones (2014)
Oscar-nominated actress Felicity Jones was linked to Barnes in 2014 following their appearance together at the Britannia Awards. The Rogue One: A Star Wars Story actress and Barnes were subsequently spotted together at Los Angeles International Airport, fueling dating rumors.
According to reports, Barnes offered to wait with Jones when her transportation was delayed, demonstrating the gentlemanly behavior that has become his trademark. The timing coincided with Jones’s recent end of a decade-long relationship with Ed Fornieles, making the potential romance even more intriguing to media outlets. However, like many of Barnes’s rumored relationships, neither party confirmed nor denied the speculation.
Julianne Hough (2020)
In April 2020, Barnes was photographed on what appeared to be a romantic ice cream date with Dancing with the Stars champion Julianne Hough in Venice, California. The outing occurred just two months after Hough officially filed for divorce from her ex-husband, Brooks Laich, adding significance to the timing.
Eyewitnesses described the pair as “very flirty and friendly” during their visit to Salt & Straw, even noting that they tasted each other’s ice cream flavors. However, an insider quickly clarified to People magazine that Hough and Barnes had been friends for eight years prior to the photographed outing, suggesting their relationship was platonic rather than romantic.
Amanda Seyfried (2013)
Barnes’s connection to Amanda Seyfried stemmed from their collaboration in the 2013 film The Big Wedding . Some outlets speculated about a potential romance, citing supposed photographs of the pair holding hands. However, Barnes later clarified the nature of their relationship through a 2015 social media post, describing Seyfried as a “friend” while visiting her on the set of Ted 2 .
Current Relationship Status and Future Outlook
Ben Barnes (Image via Getty)
As of 2025, Ben Barnes remains single and has not been publicly linked to anyone romantically. The actor continues to maintain his privacy regarding personal relationships, a stance that has remained consistent throughout his career. His approach to dating reflects a mature perspective influenced by his family background and personal values.
Barnes’s current focus appears to be on his thriving career, with recent projects including his continued work in television and his venture into music. The actor has been developing his musical talents, even launching his own YouTube channel and releasing music, demonstrating his multifaceted artistic abilities.
The mystery surrounding Barnes’s love life only adds to his appeal, with fans continuing to speculate about potential romantic interests. His ability to maintain privacy in an increasingly transparent celebrity culture speaks to his professionalism and personal boundaries.
