Meg Donnelly, the talented actress known for her roles in Disney Channel’s “Zombies” franchise and ABC’s “American Housewife,” has captured hearts both on and off screen. As a rising star in Hollywood, fans are naturally curious about her romantic life and relationship history. The 24-year-old performer has been relatively open about her dating experiences, sharing glimpses of her personal life while maintaining a balance between privacy and public interest.
Born on July 25, 2000, in New York City, Donnelly has built an impressive career that spans television, film, and music. Her breakthrough role as Taylor Otto in “American Housewife” launched her into the spotlight, but it was her portrayal of Addison in the “Zombies” series that truly established her as a Disney Channel favorite. Beyond acting, she has also pursued music and recently starred as Mary Campbell in The CW’s “The Winchesters,” a prequel to the popular series “Supernatural.”
Throughout her career, Donnelly has navigated several public relationships, each bringing its own set of challenges and learning experiences. From her early romance with Christian Valderrama to her current relationship with “The Winchesters” co-star Drake Rodger, her dating history reflects the complexities of maintaining personal relationships while living in the public eye. Her approach to love and relationships has evolved over time, showing a mature understanding of privacy, communication, and the pressures that come with celebrity romance.
Current Relationship: Drake Rodger
Meg Donnelly and Drake Rodger (Image via Getty)
Meg Donnelly is currently dating Drake Rodger, her co-star from “The Winchesters.” The couple officially confirmed their relationship in February 2024 during an appearance on The Zach Sang Show, though they had been dating since 2023. Their romance blossomed while working together on the CW series, where they portrayed love interests Mary Campbell and John Winchester.
The relationship represents a significant shift in how Donnelly approaches public romance. “We’re not trying to hide it at all,” she explained during the interview. “It’s just that, I feel like on my last couple of relationships it was very public, so now I’m kind of trying to keep it — not even private, because I’ll talk about it as much as possible because I love him so much.” This measured approach reflects her growth and desire for a healthier balance between public and private life.
Donnelly has been particularly vocal about how Rodger has positively influenced her personal development. “I feel like the past year or so, he has just been incredible even for music and acting and stuff, he just has such great advice, and I feel like my communication has gotten a lot better because of him, and I’m grateful for that,” she shared. The couple continues to support each other’s careers while maintaining their preference for keeping their relationship relatively low-key on social media.
Past Relationships and Dating History
Noah Zulfikar (2019-2022)
Before her current relationship, Donnelly’s most significant romance was with actor and dancer Noah Zulfikar. The couple dated for three years, from 2019 to 2022, meeting on the set of “Zombies 2” where Zulfikar played Jacey, a werewolf pack member. Their relationship was notably public, with both frequently sharing photos and heartfelt messages on social media.
The relationship with Zulfikar was characterized by their shared passion for dance and performance, often collaborating on projects and supporting each other’s careers. However, the public nature of their romance also brought challenges, as they had to navigate the scrutiny that comes with high-profile relationships in the entertainment industry. The couple eventually parted ways in 2022, though they maintained professionalism and respect for each other.
Christian Valderrama (2018-2019)
Earlier in her career, Donnelly dated Christian Valderrama from 2018 to 2019. This relationship occurred during her rising fame period, as she was establishing herself in the entertainment industry. While less publicized than her subsequent relationships, this romance was part of her journey in learning to balance personal life with a growing career in Hollywood.
Other Connections
Donnelly has also been linked to Logan Pepper in 2019, though this appears to have been a brief connection. Additionally, she had a relationship with Peyton Meyer, her co-star from “American Housewife,” though the timeline and details of this relationship remain less documented. These connections highlight the common occurrence of workplace romances in the entertainment industry, where actors often develop feelings for their co-stars during intense filming periods.
Evolution of Her Approach to Relationships
Meg Donnelly (Image via Getty)
Throughout her dating history, Donnelly has demonstrated significant personal growth in how she handles relationships in the public eye. Her current relationship with Rodger shows a more mature approach to privacy and communication. “Just on social media in general, I like having that privacy, because putting it all out there, it kind of becomes public too,” she explained.
This evolution reflects her understanding of the pressures that public relations can face. She noted that being an actress puts extra pressure on relationships, stating, “We’ve had conversations about it, but it’s nothing too — like if we feel like posting about each other, we can. It’s not off limits, it’s not like we’re hiding each other or anything, but just not every day publicly anymore, because I used to do that and I like the way things are now.”
The actress has also emphasized the importance of having a supportive partner who understands the demands of her career. She particularly appreciates Rodger’s calming presence at red carpet events, noting, “It’s very easy, he’s so great at keeping calm energ,y and I always get so nervous.”
Looking Forward
Meg Donnelly and Drake Rodger (Image via Getty)
As Donnelly continues to build her career with upcoming projects like “Zombies 4” and her music endeavors, her relationship with Rodger appears to be providing the stability and support she values. Their shared experience in the entertainment industry, combined with their commitment to maintaining healthy boundaries between public and private life, suggests a mature foundation for their relationship.
The couple’s willingness to work together again professionally, with Rodger expressing enthusiasm about collaborating with Donnelly in future projects, indicates a strong partnership that extends beyond romance into professional mutual support. As both continue to pursue their individual careers while supporting each other, their relationship represents a modern approach to celebrity romance that prioritizes communication, respect, and personal growth.
Jenna Ortega, the breakout star of Netflix’s “Wednesday,” has captured hearts worldwide with her performances and enigmatic screen presence. As one of Hollywood’s most promising young talents, the 21-year-old actress has naturally sparked curiosity about her personal life, particularly her romantic relationships. Despite her rising fame and constant media attention, Ortega has maintained a remarkably private stance when it comes to her dating life, leaving fans and media outlets to speculate about her relationship status.
The actress, who transitioned from Disney Channel star to leading lady, has been the subject of numerous dating rumors throughout her career. From fellow actors to musicians and even veteran Hollywood stars, Ortega’s name has been romantically linked to various celebrities, though she has rarely confirmed or denied these speculations publicly. Her approach to privacy reflects a mature understanding of fame’s complexities and her desire to separate her professional achievements from her personal relationships.
Currently, as of 2025, Jenna Ortega appears to be single and not romantically involved with anyone. The actress has been vocal about prioritizing her career over romantic relationships, stating in interviews that the idea of dating often stresses her out. Her commitment to maintaining privacy around her love life stems from a belief that too much personal information can affect how audiences perceive her performances. This deliberate choice to keep her romantic life away from the spotlight demonstrates her professional maturity and understanding of the entertainment industry’s demands.
Current Relationship Status
Jenna Ortega (Image via Getty)
Jenna Ortega is currently single and not dating anyone as of 2025. The actress has been consistently clear about her preference to keep her romantic life private, explaining in a 2024 interview with Vanity Fair that she doesn’t plan on speaking about her love life publicly because “that’s mine.” She believes that when audiences know too much about someone’s personal life, it affects their ability to see the actor as different characters on screen.
In a 2023 interview with Elle Magazine, Ortega revealed that she might be “too obsessed” with work and that thinking about relationships stresses her out. She explained that being vulnerable with someone and having them see her for all that she is feels overwhelming, especially given her current focus on her burgeoning career. This dedication to her craft has clearly paid off, with the actress taking on increasingly prominent roles in major productions.
Past Dating Rumors and Alleged Relationships
Jacob Sartorius
One of the earliest dating rumors surrounding Jenna Ortega involved social media star and singer Jacob Sartorius. The speculation began after Ortega appeared in Sartorius’s music video for “Chapstick,” where they portrayed a young couple enjoying a romantic date in New York City. The chemistry displayed in the video led fans to believe there might be something more than friendship between them.
However, Sartorius quickly clarified the nature of their relationship in an interview with J-14, stating, “We’re really good friends, and she’s really nice. It was really fun to film the video. She’s really nice, so we had good chemistry on camera and off.” This clarification put an end to the dating rumors, though their friendship appeared to continue beyond the music video collaboration.
Asher Angel
In 2018, Ortega was romantically linked with fellow Disney Channel star Asher Angel. The rumors intensified when they attended the Just Jared Annual Halloween Party together, dressed as celebrity couple Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson, who were dating at the time. Their costume choice seemed to hint at a romantic relationship, leading fans and media to speculate about their status.
Neither Ortega nor Angel publicly confirmed or denied their relationship, leaving the nature of their connection ambiguous. However, in a 2023 appearance on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast, Ortega hinted at a past relationship when she said, “I was in a relationship for a couple of years, but I stopped it when things got too hectic. And it had nothing to do with them, it was just strictly—I just couldn’t manage all the things.” Many fans interpreted this as a reference to her rumored relationship with Angel.
Percy Hynes White
Percy Hynes (Image via Getty)
Following the massive success of “Wednesday,” fans began shipping Ortega with her co-star Percy Hynes White, who played Xavier Thorpe in the series. The on-screen chemistry between their characters led to widespread speculation about a real-life romance. These rumors gained additional traction when it was announced that both actors would be working together on another project, “Winter, Spring Summer or Fall.”
Despite the intense fan interest and media speculation, both Ortega and White have remained completely silent about any potential romantic involvement. Their professional relationship appears to be just that—professional—though neither has explicitly addressed the rumors publicly.
Devin Booker
One of the more unusual rumors linked Ortega to NBA star Devin Booker, who was previously in a relationship with model Kendall Jenner. The speculation began when a photo allegedly showing Ortega and Booker together went viral on social media platforms. Fans quickly became excited about the potential pairing between the actress and the basketball player.
However, this rumor was quickly debunked when it was revealed that the photo had been digitally manipulated using Photoshop. The fake image had been so convincing that it fooled many fans initially, but closer examination revealed the digital manipulation, putting an end to the speculation.
The Johnny Depp Controversy
Perhaps the most bizarre and persistent rumor surrounding Ortega’s dating life involved veteran actor Johnny Depp. Despite their significant age difference—Depp is 61 while Ortega is 21—rumors began circulating that they were in a serious relationship. These rumors likely stemmed from the fact that both actors have worked with director Tim Burton, though they have never actually worked together directly.
The rumors became so widespread that they even reached the set of Ortega’s film “Death of a Unicorn,” where co-star Richard E. Grant asked her about the alleged relationship. In a BuzzFeed interview, Ortega addressed these rumors directly, calling them “so insane” and clarifying that she had never even met Johnny Depp.
Interestingly, Ortega also revealed that many of the quotes attributed to her denying the relationship were fabricated by media outlets. She stated, “I never spoke on that. I never said anything like that. Articles really do just make up their own quotes, but I thought that that was pretty hilarious.” This revelation highlights the challenges celebrities face with misinformation and false reporting about their personal lives.
Ortega’s Philosophy on Privacy
Jenna Ortega (Image via Getty)
Jenna Ortega’s approach to keeping her personal life private reflects a mature understanding of fame and its impact on both her career and personal well-being. In her 2024 Vanity Fair interview, she explained that knowing too much about someone’s personal life can negatively affect how audiences perceive their performances. This perspective shows her commitment to her craft and her desire to be seen as a versatile actress rather than a celebrity whose personal life overshadows her professional work.
The actress has also spoken about the challenges of growing up in the public eye, noting that her fans literally watched her go through puberty and develop into the woman she is today. This unique experience of having her formative years documented and scrutinized has likely contributed to her desire for privacy in her adult relationships.
