If you’ve spent any time on TikTok or scrolled through Prime Video lately, you’ve probably seen the clips. There's this undeniable, almost electric energy between KJ Apa and Madelyn Cline. They’re leaning into each other during interviews, laughing at inside jokes that nobody else gets, and looking—honestly—a lot like a couple. It’s the kind of chemistry that makes you wonder if the script for their new movie, The Map That Leads to You, just kept rolling after the cameras stopped.
But here’s the thing. Hollywood is basically a giant hall of mirrors.
When two attractive people play love interests, we want them to be together. We hunt for "clues" in how they sit or how they look at each other. But are KJ Apa and Madelyn Cline dating, or are we all just falling for a really good PR campaign?
Let’s get into the actual facts of where they stand right now, in early 2026.
The Chemistry That Set the Internet on Fire
It all started with The Map That Leads to You. The movie, which hit Prime Video in August 2025, features KJ and Madelyn as Jack and Heather, two travelers who fall for each other across Europe. It’s romantic, it’s sweeping, and the two leads are incredible together.
But the "dating" rumors didn't really explode until the press tour. During an interview with Extra, KJ admitted that when he first met Madelyn, he actually thought she was... well, he used a word that rhymes with "witch." She laughed it off, saying she takes pride in that. That kind of "enemies-to-friends-to-maybe-something-more" vibe is basically catnip for fans.
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They also did this Cosmopolitan "If It Were Me" segment where they gave dating advice. They were picking off each other’s plates and using nonsensical nicknames. KJ even said, "It’s amazing when you shoot a romance movie, you get to fall in love with somebody... we got to kind of in a way fall in love with our characters, with each other."
That’s a heavy quote. Naturally, people lost their minds.
Are KJ Apa and Madelyn Cline Dating? The Factual Breakdown
Despite the "vibes," neither actor has confirmed a relationship. In fact, if you look at their actual dating histories and recent sightings, the picture gets a lot more complicated.
KJ Apa is currently single. He split from his long-term partner, French model Clara Berry, in early 2024. They share a son, Sasha, and seem to be co-parenting pretty well—they were even spotted hugging at a fashion show shortly after the breakup. Since then, KJ hasn't been officially linked to anyone. He’s been more focused on his sobriety and his life after Riverdale.
Madelyn, on the other hand, has had a busy couple of years in the headlines. After her high-profile split from Outer Banks co-star Chase Stokes, she dated Pete Davidson for a while (because who hasn't?). But the biggest wrench in the "KJ and Madelyn" theory came in late 2025.
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The Prince of Greece Factor
In September 2025, Madelyn Cline was spotted in New York City looking very cozy with Prince Constantine-Alexios of Greece. And we're not talking "just grabbing coffee" cozy. They were seen kissing at The Lions Bar in the East Village and holding hands while walking through the city.
KJ actually commented on the news. When PEOPLE posted about Madelyn and the Prince, KJ dropped a comment that showed he was definitely keeping up with her life, though he kept it light and humorous. It felt more like a supportive friend or a "brotherly" co-star than a jealous boyfriend.
Why the Rumors Won't Die
So, if she's seen with a Prince and he's doing his own thing, why are we still asking if they’re dating?
- The "Teen Drama" Effect: Both stars come from massive hits (Riverdale and Outer Banks) where the leads famously dated in real life. We've been conditioned to expect it.
- The Interviews: KJ’s unfiltered comments to Entertainment Weekly didn't help. He talked about how costars on teen shows "hook up with each other" and "have sex and stuff," which makes things complicated. While he was mostly reminiscing about the Riverdale days, it made people look at his current co-stars with a magnifying glass.
- The "New Connection" Narrative: During the movie's promotion, they both talked about how they didn't have an instant connection. Stories about people who didn't like each other at first but then became inseparable are classic "romance" tropes that fans project onto reality.
The Reality of Professional Chemistry
Honestly, what we’re seeing is likely just two people who are really good at their jobs and genuinely like each other. Madelyn has been very vocal about wanting to keep her private life private after the "frenzy" of her past relationships. She told ELLE that she realizes there are parts of her life only she is entitled to.
KJ is in a similar headspace. After seven years of Archie Andrews, he’s trying to find his own identity again.
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Could they have had a "fling" while filming in Spain? Maybe. KJ did say that filming a romance allows you to "fall in love with each other." But as of 2026, there is no evidence that they are a couple. In Hollywood speak, "we hit it off immediately and nothing is serious" usually means they are great friends who might flirt for the cameras to sell a movie.
What You Should Watch For Next
If you're still holding out hope for "KJDelyn" (or whatever the ship name is), keep an eye on a few things:
- Social Media Activity: Not the "likes," but the background of their stories. Are they in the same city when they aren't working?
- The Prince Update: If the rumors about Madelyn and Constantine-Alexios fizzle out, she’s "back on the market" in the eyes of the public.
- Upcoming Projects: They have such good chemistry that producers will likely try to cast them together again.
For now, treat the KJ Apa and Madelyn Cline dating rumors as exactly that: rumors. They are two talented, single (or "royal-adjacent") actors who shared a great experience making a movie.
If you want to support them, the best thing to do is actually watch The Map That Leads to You on Prime Video. The romance there is 100% real—even if the off-screen stuff is just a very convincing friendship. You can also follow KJ’s music journey or wait for the final season of Outer Banks to see Madelyn's next move.