The Mexican-American actor’s breakout role as Marco Valentin Peña in The Kissing Booth 2 launched him into the spotlight in 2020. His portrayal of the charming transfer student who becomes a love interest for Joey King’s character, Elle, made him an instant heartthrob. More recently, his starring role as Alex Claremont-Diaz in Red, White & Royal Blue opposite Nicholas Galitzine has further solidified his status as a leading man in romantic comedies.
With his diverse ancestry spanning Mexican, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Croatian, and Hungarian heritage, Perez brings a unique appeal to his roles. His athletic background as a nationally ranked swimmer and his musical theater training have contributed to his versatility as a performer. However, despite his professional success and public visibility, the actor has managed to keep his romantic life largely out of the public eye, making his dating status one of Hollywood’s most intriguing mysteries.
Current Relationship Status: Single and Private

Taylor Zakhar (Image via Getty)
As of June 2025, Taylor Zakhar Perez appears to be single. The actor has consistently maintained privacy regarding his personal relationships, rarely discussing his dating life in interviews or on social media. In a 2020 interview with Glamour, Perez explicitly stated that he wasn’t dating anyone at the time. This pattern of privacy has continued throughout his rising career, with no confirmed public relationships emerging since his breakthrough role.
Recent reports from February 2025 continue to describe Perez’s relationship status as unknown, emphasizing his notably private nature when it comes to personal matters. Unlike many celebrities who share glimpses of their romantic lives on social media, Perez’s Instagram focuses primarily on his professional work, fitness activities, and friendships rather than romantic relationships.
The actor’s commitment to privacy extends beyond mere discretion – it appears to be a deliberate choice to separate his personal life from his public persona. This approach has only intensified public curiosity about his romantic status, with fans and media outlets continuously speculating about potential relationships based on his interactions with co-stars and friends.
The Joey King Romance Rumors
One of the most persistent rumors surrounding Taylor Zakhar Perez’s love life involves his Kissing Booth co-star Joey King. The speculation began after Perez posted an incredibly heartfelt tribute to King for her 21st birthday on Instagram. In the post, he wrote about how King welcomed him into the Kissing Booth family, supported him, and inspired him to become a better actor.
The birthday tribute, combined with photos of the pair taking vacations together, fueled widespread speculation about a romantic relationship. However, Perez has consistently denied these rumors in multiple interviews. During an appearance on The Chicks in the Office podcast, he clarified their relationship status, stating that Joey King and he are not dating, though he loves her dearly and they might take trips together.
Perez further explained their bond during the same podcast appearance, describing how they were quarantine buddies who lived five minutes away from each other. He emphasized that they know what their relationship is and love each other dearly. He even humorously added that while he would love to be dating Joey King because she’s amazing, their relationship remains purely platonic.
The friendship between Perez and King has endured beyond their Kissing Booth days. King, who married producer and director Steven Piet in 2023, has continued to support Perez’s career, with the pair attending industry events together as friends. Their enduring friendship demonstrates that not all close relationships between co-stars need to be romantic, despite public speculation.
Other Dating Rumors and Speculations

Taylor Zakhar (Image via Getty)
Beyond Joey King, Taylor Zakhar Perez has been linked to several other co-stars and industry figures, though none of these rumors have been substantiated. One notable speculation involved Maisie Richardson-Sellers, who played Chloe Winthrop in The Kissing Booth 2. The rumors began when Perez shared a photo with Richardson-Sellers captioned “My Cherie Amour,” which translates to “my dear love” in French.
However, these rumors were quickly dispelled when it was confirmed that Richardson-Sellers was dating a musician named Clay. The incident highlights how easily innocent friendships and social media posts can be misinterpreted as romantic connections in the celebrity world.
More recently, following the success of Red, White & Royal Blue, some fans have speculated about a potential relationship between Perez and his co-star Nicholas Galitzine. The on-screen chemistry between the two actors was so compelling that it sparked real-life dating rumors among fans. However, like previous speculations, there has been no confirmation or credible evidence to support these claims.
The pattern of linking Perez romantically with his co-stars reflects both his convincing on-screen chemistry and the public’s desire to see art imitate life. However, Perez’s consistent denials and lack of confirmed relationships suggest that he successfully maintains professional boundaries while delivering passionate performances.
What Taylor Zakhar Perez Looks for in a Partner
While Taylor Zakhar Perez keeps his actual dating life private, he has shared insights about his relationship preferences and what he looks for in a potential partner. In his 2020 Glamour interview, Perez revealed his attraction to adventurous people, stating that he loves adventurous people who say yes all the time. He mentioned his love for paddleboarding, hiking, and surfing, suggesting that his friends represent his type.
This preference for adventure aligns with Perez’s active lifestyle, which includes various outdoor activities and fitness pursuits. His social media presence often showcases his love for biking, gardening, and other physical activities, suggesting that he would be compatible with someone who shares these interests.
In a more recent interview, Perez elaborated on his approach to relationships, expressing his preference for dating friends. He emphasized the importance of knowing and trusting someone as the foundation for relationships. This philosophy emphasizes the importance of emotional connection and trust as foundations for romantic relationships.
Perez also revealed his priorities when it comes to intimacy, stating that he’s much more turned on by emotional intimacy than sexual intimacy at first. This perspective suggests that he values deep emotional connections over superficial attractions, which may explain his careful approach to public relationships and his emphasis on privacy.
The Impact of Fame on Personal Relationships

Taylor Zakhar (Image via Getty)
Taylor Zakhar Perez’s rise to fame has undoubtedly influenced his approach to personal relationships. The constant scrutiny and speculation surrounding his dating life demonstrate the challenges celebrities face in maintaining privacy while building meaningful connections. His decision to keep his romantic life private may be a protective measure to preserve authentic relationships away from public pressure.
The actor’s experience with persistent rumors about co-star relationships illustrates how difficult it can be for celebrities to maintain platonic friendships without romantic speculation. This reality may influence how Perez navigates both professional and personal relationships, potentially making him more cautious about public displays of affection or close friendships.
As Perez continues to build his career with upcoming projects, including potential involvement in a live-action Tangled adaptation, his approach to balancing fame and privacy will likely remain a defining characteristic of his public persona.
Alisha Newton, the beloved Canadian actress who captured hearts as Georgie Fleming Morris on the long-running CBC drama series Heartland, has maintained a remarkably private personal life despite her growing fame in the entertainment industry. Born on July 22, 2001, in Vancouver, British Columbia, the 23-year-old actress has successfully balanced her professional achievements with keeping her romantic relationships largely out of the public eye.
Newton’s journey in the spotlight began at a young age, starting with commercial work before landing her breakthrough role on Heartland in 2012. Since then, she has expanded her repertoire with notable performances in Netflix’s “Devil in Ohio” and “My Life with the Walter Boys,” establishing herself as a versatile actress capable of handling both family-friendly content and more mature dramatic roles. However, unlike many of her contemporaries in the entertainment industry, Newton has chosen to keep her dating life relatively private, leading to considerable speculation and curiosity among her dedicated fan base.
The actress’s approach to privacy regarding her personal relationships reflects a mature understanding of the entertainment industry’s demands and the importance of maintaining boundaries between her public persona and private life. This discretion has only heightened public interest in her romantic status, with fans eagerly searching for any her love life. As Newton continues to build her career with high-profile projects and expand her acting range, questions about her dating life remain a constant source of fascination for entertainment media and her growing international fan base.
Current Relationship Status

Alisha Newton (Image via Getty)
According to the most recent available information, Alisha Newton is possibly single as of 2024. The actress has successfully maintained privacy around her current romantic situation, with no confirmed public relationships or dating announcements in recent months. This discretion aligns with Newton’s approach to keeping her personal life separate from her professional career, a strategy that has served her well as she transitions from a child actor to an adult performer in the entertainment industry.
Newton’s single status, however, should be viewed with some caution given her preference for privacy. The actress may very well be in a relationship that she has chosen not to make public, which would be consistent with her approach to personal matters. Her social media presence, while active in promoting her professional work, rarely includes personal relationship content, making it difficult for fans and media to definitively determine her romantic status.
Past Relationship: Reas Schmaling Connection
The most notable romantic connection in Newton’s dating history involves Reas Schmaling , though details about this relationship remain limited and somewhat unclear. The nature of their connection has been described as both a relationship and a rumored hookup, indicating that even this past romantic involvement was kept relatively private during its duration.
The relationship with Schmaling appears to be Newton’s only publicly acknowledged romantic connection to date, though the timeline and specific details of their involvement remain largely undisclosed. This lack of detailed information reflects Newton’s consistent approach to maintaining privacy around her personal relationships, even when they do become public knowledge.
The limited information available about the Schmaling relationship suggests it may have occurred during Newton’s earlier years in the entertainment industry, though, without official confirmation or detailed timelines, it’s difficult to place this relationship within the broader context of her personal and professional development.
Professional Life and On-Screen Romance

Alisha Newton (Image via Getty)
Newton’s most famous on-screen romance has been with her Heartland co-star Jordan Burtchett, who plays Quinn McGregor, Georgie’s love interest on the show. Their characters’ relationship has been a significant storyline in the series, with fans deeply invested in the “Georgie and Quinn” romance that has developed over multiple seasons.
The on-screen chemistry between Newton and Burtchett has led to considerable fan speculation about a potential real-life romance, though there is no confirmed evidence of any off-screen romantic relationship between the two actors. This speculation is common in the entertainment industry, where compelling on-screen partnerships often lead fans to hope for real-life connections between their favorite actors.
Newton’s departure from Heartland as a series regular after season 13, though she has made occasional appearances in later seasons, marked the end of the primary Georgie and Quinn storyline that had audiences. However, the impact of this on-screen relationship continues to influence fan discussions about Newton’s real-life romantic preferences and dating history.
Privacy and Social Media Approach
Newton’s approach to social media and public appearances demonstrates a calculated strategy to maintain privacy while still engaging with her fan base. Her Instagram and other social media platforms focus primarily on professional updates, behind-the-scenes content from her various projects, and occasional personal moments that don’t reveal intimate relationship details.
This social media strategy reflects a broader trend among young actors who have grown up in the digital age and understand the importance of controlling their public narrative. Newton appears to have learned from observing other young celebrities who have struggled with the balance between public engagement and private life protection.
The actress’s ability to maintain this privacy while building a successful career speaks to her professionalism and the strong support system she likely has in place. Her family background and Canadian upbringing may have contributed to this grounded approach to fame and personal relationships.
Career Impact on Dating Life
Newton’s busy career schedule, including her work on multiple high-profile projects simultaneously, likely impacts her ability to maintain traditional dating relationships. Her recent work on Netflix series like “Devil in Ohio” and “My Life with the Walter Boys” has required significant time commitments and travel, which can complicate personal relationship maintenance.
The transition from child actor to adult performer also presents unique challenges in terms of dating and relationships. Newton has had to navigate this transition while maintaining her professional reputation and dealing with the increased scrutiny that comes with growing fame and more mature roles.
Future Relationship Prospects

Alisha Newton (Image via Getty)
As Newton continues to establish herself as a serious actress with diverse roles across different platforms and genres, her approach to dating and relationships may evolve. The actress’s growing confidence and established career foundation may lead to more openness about future romantic relationships, though this remains speculative based on her current privacy preferences.
Her expanding international profile, particularly through Netflix projects, may also influence her dating pool and relationship opportunities, potentially connecting her with fellow actors and industry professionals from different backgrounds and locations.
Alisha Newton’s dating life remains largely private, with only one confirmed past relationship and a current status that appears to be single. Her commitment to maintaining privacy around personal relationships while building a successful acting career demonstrates maturity and strategic thinking about her public image. As she continues to grow as an actress and public figure, fans will undoubtedly remain interested in her romantic life, though Newton’s track record suggests she will continue to share such information on her own terms and timeline.