Ever watch The Beat and wonder about the man behind the desk? Ari Melber is everywhere. He’s the guy quoting Jay-Z lyrics while explaining a complex legal filing. He’s sharp, fast, and stays cool under the bright lights of MSNBC. But behind that polished, chief legal correspondent exterior, there's a personal history that people still Google late at night. Specifically, his past marriage to journalist Drew Grant.
It's one of those celebrity pairings that made total sense on paper. Two media heavyweights. Both smart. Both deeply embedded in the New York City scene. Yet, like many high-profile relationships, it didn't last forever.
If you’re looking for the messy details, you might be disappointed. They didn’t do the whole tabloid blow-up thing. Honestly, it was pretty quiet. But the story of Ari Melber and Drew Grant is more than just a "who-dated-who" snippet. It’s a look at two people who climbed the media ladder together, hit a wall, and then kept climbing separately.
The Early Days: Power Couple Vibes
They met back when the media world felt a little smaller. Melber wasn't yet the "Emmy-winning host" with millions of viewers. He was a rising star at MSNBC, a lawyer by trade who found his groove in front of a camera. Drew Grant was a force in her own right. She’s a veteran pop culture journalist who has written for basically everyone: The New York Observer, Salon, Forbes, and The Huffington Post.
They got married in 2013. At the time, they were the definition of a New York power couple. They lived in Brooklyn. They went to the right parties. They were both building brands.
✨ Don't miss: Is Milana Vayntrub Still Married: Why the AT\&T Star Keeps Her Husband a Secret
Grant is known for a very specific, sharp-witted style of writing. She founded tvDownload at the Observer and has a way of deconstructing entertainment that’s both cynical and loving. Melber, meanwhile, was busy becoming the legal voice of a generation. It seemed like a match made in intellectual heaven.
Why Ari Melber and Drew Grant Ended Things
Life happens. By 2017, the marriage was over. They divorced after about four years.
People always want a "why." Was there drama? A scandal? Nope. At least nothing that ever leaked. They were remarkably private about the split. In an industry where people overshare every meal, their silence was almost radical. They didn't post long Instagram captions about "conscious uncoupling." They just... moved on.
Since the divorce, their paths have diverged significantly.
- Ari Melber stayed focused on the news cycle. The Beat premiered the same year as his divorce, and it skyrocketed. He became the longest-running host of the 6 p.m. hour in MSNBC history.
- Drew Grant continued her evolution in the media space. She moved into specialized editing roles, working with Collider and later becoming the managing editor of Passionfruit. She eventually remarried, moving into a new chapter of her life away from the "Melber’s wife" label that SEO-obsessed sites try to stick on her.
What Most People Get Wrong
The internet has a weird memory. If you look up Ari Melber today, "wife" is still one of the top search suggestions. People struggle to realize that a four-year marriage from a decade ago isn't the defining feature of these people's lives.
Honestly, it’s kinda fascinating how we freeze public figures in time. Drew Grant isn't just a footnote in a news anchor’s biography. She’s a journalist who survived the brutal shifts of the digital media landscape of the 2010s. She’s written about everything from Twin Peaks to the ethics of AI-generated art.
💡 You might also like: What Really Happened With Princess Kate Illness: The Untold Details of Her Recovery
On the flip side, Ari Melber has been linked to other high-profile names over the years, like Alexandra Daddario, though he rarely confirms anything. He’s kept his personal life in a vault. He lives in Brooklyn, he’s a member of the New York Bar, and he seems perfectly content letting his work do the talking.
Moving Forward: The Careers Today
In 2026, the media world looks nothing like it did in 2013. But both Melber and Grant are still standing.
Melber is currently navigating the post-2024 election fallout, still breaking down DOJ moves and FBI probes. He recently nabbed another Emmy nomination for his live interview skills. He’s essentially become the "Chief Explainer" for the American public.
Grant has leaned into the creator economy. As the managing editor of Passionfruit, she’s been at the forefront of covering how YouTubers and TikTokers are changing the world. She’s no longer just writing about TV; she’s writing about how we consume everything.
Actionable Takeaways for Following Media Personalities
If you’re following the careers of people like Ari Melber and Drew Grant, here’s how to actually keep up without falling for the "clickbait" traps:
- Check the Byline: Don't just search for Drew Grant in relation to her ex. Look up her current work on dot.LA or Passionfruit. Her insights on tech and culture are usually way more interesting than old relationship gossip.
- Watch the Monologues: If you want to see Melber at his best, watch the "Fallbeat" segments or his deep-dive intros. That's where he does the actual heavy lifting of legal analysis.
- Verify the "Remarried" Rumors: Every few months, a fake site will claim Melber is married to a coworker or a Hollywood star. If it’s not on a reputable news site or his own social media, it’s probably junk. As of right now, Melber remains single (or at least very, very private).
The story of these two is a reminder that professional success doesn't always require a "happily ever after" in the traditional sense. Sometimes, two people help each other grow for a few years, and then they go off to conquer different parts of the world.