Honestly, if you’ve spent any time on the "nicer" side of the internet lately, you’ve probably seen the photos. There’s Ayo Edebiri—our favorite "Irish" icon and The Bear standout—laughing in a stairwell with Paul Mescal. Or there’s that video of Jeremy Allen White rubbing her back at a Cubs game that sent the "SydCarmy" shippers into a literal tailspin.
People are obsessed. It makes sense. She’s charming, she’s everywhere, and she has that rare "cool older sister" energy that makes everyone want to know who she's coming home to after the red carpets are rolled up. But finding a definitive answer on an Ayo Edebiri partner is a bit like trying to find a quiet moment in the Beef's kitchen. It’s chaotic, full of rumors, and the actual truth is kept very close to the vest.
The Mystery of Jamen Whitelock
Let’s talk about the name that’s been popping up the most lately: Jamen Whitelock.
While the internet was busy mourning the fact that she and Paul Mescal are "just friends" (a tragedy for rom-com lovers, I know), eagle-eyed fans noticed a recurring face in the background of Ayo’s life. In late 2024 and heading into 2026, Ayo was spotted in Taipei with Ke Huy Quan and a man named Jamen Whitelock.
Whitelock isn’t an A-list actor. He’s a musician and creative—formerly of the band Regal Degal—and he seems to be the one actually in the picture. They’ve been seen together at fashion events and on quiet trips abroad. It’s the classic "if you know, you know" celebrity relationship. No big "we’re dating" Instagram post. No joint Vogue interview. Just a couple of people existing in the same space, which, in 2026, is basically the ultimate power move for a private star.
What Most People Get Wrong About Her Past
Before Jamen, there was Colin Burgess.
If you go back to 2021 or 2022, this was the only relationship that was actually, officially confirmed. Burgess is an actor and comedian, and they were very cute. He even posted a photo of them doing sheet masks together for Valentine’s Day. He was her date to the Emmys in 2022 when she was a presenter.
But then? Silence.
The internet being the internet, people started digging. When some "fans" (and I use that term loosely) started being weird about Burgess on social media back in 2023, his friend Joel Kim Booster actually stepped in to tell everyone to log off and "make a real human friend." Since then, Ayo and Colin haven’t been seen together publicly. Most insiders assume they split a while ago, though neither has ever felt the need to give the public a formal breakup announcement.
Why the Jeremy Allen White Rumors Just Won't Die
We have to address the elephant in the room. Or rather, the chef in the kitchen.
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The chemistry between Ayo Edebiri and Jeremy Allen White is... intense. It’s the kind of professional spark that makes people project their own romantic fantasies onto it. When those photos of them at the Cubs game dropped—you know the ones, where he has his arm around her—the internet basically exploded.
But here’s the reality:
- They both have said, repeatedly, that they are just friends.
- Jeremy has been linked to everyone from Rosalía to Molly Gordon (his other The Bear co-star) recently.
- Ayo has described their bond as "intimate" because work is intimate, but she’s also joked that she doesn't think Sydney and Carmy should ever date because the restaurant would "blow up in three seconds."
It’s a masterclass in platonic intimacy. They love each other, they respect each other, but they aren’t "together" in the way the TikTok edits want them to be.
Ayo’s Take on Privacy and Identity
It’s worth noting that Ayo has identified herself as a "queer Black artist." She’s talked about how her first kiss was with a girl and how important it is to have queer representation in films like Bottoms.
However, being queer doesn't mean she owes the public a roadmap of her dating life. She belongs to that new generation of Hollywood stars—think Emma Corrin or Jeremy O. Harris—who treat their personal lives like a private garden. She’ll give you the art, she’ll give you the hilarious "Irish" bits on the red carpet, but the person she’s texting at 2:00 AM? That’s for her.
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The Current Status (Early 2026)
As of right now, if you’re looking for a name to put next to hers, Jamen Whitelock is the strongest contender for her current partner. They seem steady, low-key, and remarkably normal.
But honestly? Ayo’s biggest "partner" right now is her career. She’s directing, she’s starring in Marvel movies, and she’s basically the blueprint for how to handle fame without losing your mind.
If you’re trying to keep up with Ayo’s life, your best bet is to stop looking for a "hard launch" on Instagram. Instead, keep an eye on the background of group photos from film festivals or casual travel vlogs. That’s where the real story usually hides. For now, let’s just let her live her best, most private life while we wait for the next season of whatever brilliance she’s working on next.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you want to stay updated without falling for fake tabloid bait, follow the production notes for her upcoming directorial projects. Usually, the people she collaborates with are the ones she trusts most in her personal circle. Also, checking out the music of Jamen Whitelock or the comedy of her longtime friend Rachel Sennott gives a much better vibe check of her "world" than any "Who is she dating?" Google search ever will.