Let’s be real: we all collectively lost our minds for a second. In late 2024, the internet basically peaked when Amelia Dimoldenberg finally sat across from Andrew Garfield in a London chicken shop. It was the culmination of two years of high-stakes flirting, red carpet "meet-cutes," and a level of chemistry that felt too authentic to be just a YouTube bit.
But it’s 2026 now. The grease from those chicken nuggets has long since dried. And honestly? The reality of their relationship is much more interesting than the "shipping" fan edits suggest.
People are still searching for "Amelia Andrew Garfield" hoping for a wedding announcement or a secret paparazzi shot of them in North London. The truth is, they’ve both moved on, but the way they handled that "almost-romance" says everything about how modern celebrity dating works. It was a masterclass in tension. It was also, quite literally, a job.
The Chicken Shop Date That Broke the Internet
If you missed the initial chaos, here is the breakdown. Their dynamic didn't start over fried food; it started at the 2022 GQ Men of the Year awards. Amelia, in her signature deadpan style, told Garfield she’d been trying to get a date with him for years. He didn't just laugh—he leaned in. He told her she looked beautiful. He told her he was "scared" of what it could turn into.
Then came the 2023 Golden Globes. "We must stop meeting like this," Amelia joked.
"I only ever want to see you," Andrew shot back.
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He looked genuinely flustered. We all watched it on loop. By the time he actually showed up on Chicken Shop Date in October 2024, the pressure was immense. Usually, those episodes are five minutes of awkward silence. Theirs was nearly twelve minutes of high-octane, "is-this-real?" energy.
Andrew asked the question everyone wanted to know: "If the cameras weren't here, do you think we'd actually go on a date?"
Amelia’s response was a hesitant "I don't know."
Andrew’s follow-up? "I actually think we could have."
It was the most sincere moment in the history of a show built on irony. But here is the thing: Amelia is a professional. She eventually looked him in the eye and said, "I think we should be friends." She friend-zoned Spider-Man. In front of millions.
Where Are Amelia and Andrew in 2026?
Despite the lingering hope from "Amelia-Andrew" truthers, the two haven't actually dated. Since that episode aired, their lives have gone in very different directions.
Andrew Garfield is currently in a very low-key, very real relationship with actress Monica Barbaro. They were first linked in early 2025 and were recently spotted together in Las Vegas this January. He has always been a "private person" (his words), and while he was happy to play along with Amelia’s persona, his actual romantic life is kept far away from YouTube cameras.
Amelia Dimoldenberg has remained mostly single, or at least very quiet about her private life. She did a rare interview with The New Yorker in early 2025 where she admitted that a relationship with Andrew "isn't going to happen." She explained that once you get that close to an interviewee, it changes the work. She’s a journalist first. She’s also noted that being "the girl who dates everyone on camera" makes her actual dating life kind of a nightmare.
Why we can’t stop talking about them
There’s a specific psychological reason this pairing stuck with us. It’s called a parasocial connection, but with a twist. Usually, we imagine ourselves with the celebrity. With Amelia and Andrew, we were watching two people who actually seemed like they would be a great match in another life.
- The Astrology Factor: Andrew mentioned on the red carpet that Amelia is an Aquarius, which is his moon sign. In the world of "shipping," that’s basically a soulmate contract.
- The Persona vs. Reality: Amelia plays a character who is desperate for love but actually very guarded. Andrew is an Oscar-nominated actor who is incredibly good at being present and charming.
- The Power Dynamic: Amelia is the one in control of her set. Seeing a huge movie star like Garfield try to win her over was a refreshing change from the usual celebrity interview dynamic.
The Truth About Those "Dating" Rumors
Let’s clear up the misinformation.
- They did not date in secret. People love to point to the fact that Andrew had Amelia’s phone number (which she confirmed he asked for at a party). Having someone's number in the industry is common; it doesn't mean they're picking out curtains together.
- It wasn't a PR stunt for a movie. Often, these appearances happen when a star has a project to plug (like Andrew's film We Live in Time). While it helped the movie's visibility, the chemistry between them felt a lot more spontaneous than a scripted press junket.
- Amelia isn't "waiting" for him. She has been linked to others, including a brief rumor with Adam Faze, but she’s been very clear about enjoying her independence.
Honestly, the "friend-zone" was the best thing that could have happened for Amelia's brand. If they had actually dated and broken up, the show would lose its magic. By keeping it as a "what if," the legend lives on.
Navigating the "Ship" Culture
It’s fun to root for people. We do it with sports, and we do it with the "Chicken Shop" girl. But there’s a lesson here about boundaries. Amelia has spoken about how uncomfortable it can be when fans forget she’s playing a role. When people scream "Where's Andrew?" at her during a serious red carpet event, it’s a bit much.
Andrew Garfield has also been vocal about his "inner world" being sacred. He told Vanity Fair recently that discussing his dating life feels like a violation. That’s probably why he and Monica Barbaro are so quiet. They want something real, not something that exists for the sake of a TikTok edit.
How to follow their careers now
If you’re still a fan of the "Amelia Andrew Garfield" era, the best way to support them is to watch what they’re actually making.
- Watch Amelia's growth: She’s moved way beyond just chicken shops. She’s hosting major red carpets and producing content that genuinely shifts the culture of celebrity interviews.
- Watch Andrew's range: He’s still one of the best actors of his generation. His work in Artificial (the Luca Guadagnino film) is a reminder that while he’s great at flirting, he’s even better at his craft.
- Respect the boundaries: It’s okay to love the Chicken Shop Date episode. It’s a classic. Just remember that the person on the screen is a persona.
The next time you see a "suggestive" clip of them, remember that it's okay for two people to have incredible chemistry and just... not date. Sometimes a great conversation is better than a messy relationship.
If you want to stay updated on what’s actually true in the world of celebrity news, always look for primary sources—direct interviews or verified sightings. The "shipping" world is fun, but the real stories are usually a lot more human.
Next Steps for You: Check out Amelia’s interview with The Times from April 2025 for her most candid thoughts on how her "flirty" reputation affects her real-life dating. Or, if you’re a film buff, look into Andrew Garfield's upcoming projects to see how his "private" approach to life is shaping his latest roles.