So, here we are in 2026, and the internet's collective crush on Chace Crawford hasn't faded one bit. If anything, it’s gotten more intense. For years, the guy was Hollywood’s most elusive bachelor. You probably remember that Call Her Daddy interview from late 2024 where he called the dating scene a "dumpster fire." Honestly, same. He was on Raya, dealing with the same weird digital burnout as the rest of us, despite being, well, Nate Archibald.
But things changed fast. If you've been tracking the Chace Crawford and girlfriend Kelsey Merritt saga, you know this wasn't just another flash-in-the-pan celebrity hookup. It started with some "eagle-eyed" (read: slightly obsessive) fans noticing they were posting from the same spots in St. Barts and Mexico. Then came the NYC kiss photos in early 2025. By the time they hit the U.S. Open together last fall, it was official.
They’re still going strong as we kick off 2026. This isn't just about a pretty couple looking good on a red carpet. There is a specific kind of maturity to this relationship that Chace hasn't really shown publicly since his days with Rebecca Rittenhouse.
The Kelsey Merritt Era: More Than Just Rumors
Let’s be real—Kelsey Merritt is a powerhouse in her own right. She made history as the first Filipino model to walk the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, and her influence in the fashion world is massive. When she and Chace started following each other on Instagram back in late 2024, people lost it.
The "hard launch" was actually pretty subtle. No massive "meet my partner" post with a 500-word caption about soulmates. Instead, we got a mirror selfie on Chace’s 40th birthday in July 2025. They were wearing matching black outfits. Kelsey was holding a cake with "40" candles and a "Happy birthday darling" note. It was low-key, sweet, and felt... normal.
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Why does this matter? Because Chace has spent the better part of a decade being extremely private. After he and Rebecca Rittenhouse split in 2018 (though they famously still co-parent their dog, Shiner), he stayed out of the serious relationship spotlight. Seeing him "IG official" with Kelsey suggests he’s finally found someone who fits into his "homebody" lifestyle. He told Alex Cooper he loves to cook for the people he dates. You’ve gotta imagine there’s a lot of that happening in their LA home these days.
What Most People Get Wrong About Chace's Dating History
There’s this weird narrative that Chace Crawford is a serial dater. He’s not. If you actually look at the timeline, he’s a long-game guy.
- Carrie Underwood (2007-2008): This was the peak Gossip Girl era. It was high-profile, messy, and ended via text. Chace has joked about it since, but it clearly turned him off from "public" dating for a while.
- Emma Roberts and Ashley Greene: These were more "spotted together" rumors than full-blown relationships.
- Rebecca Rittenhouse (2015-2019): This was his most significant long-term partner before Kelsey. They met on the set of Blood & Oil. Even after the breakup, they stayed friends. That’s a massive green flag.
The misconception is that he was "single and hating it" for five years. In reality, he was working on The Boys, playing the disastrously hilarious "The Deep," and clearly waiting for someone who didn't mind his "introverted" tendencies. Kelsey seems to match that energy perfectly. She’s busy with her own career but seems to value the same privacy he does.
Why This Relationship Works in 2026
Hollywood relationships usually implode under the pressure of two competing egos. But Kelsey and Chace seem to have a different dynamic.
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First, there’s the age gap—she’s 29, he just turned 40. In Hollywood, that’s basically nothing, but it seems to provide a nice balance. He’s settled; she’s at the peak of her career. They aren't competing for the same roles or the same kind of attention.
Second, they’ve mastered the "private but not secret" vibe. You’ll see them at a Ralph Lauren show or a tennis match, but you won't see them selling their "love story" to the tabloids. This is the 2026 version of a power couple: presence without overexposure.
Is Marriage on the Horizon?
Everyone wants to know if there's a ring. Honestly? Neither of them seems to be in a rush. Chace has always been vocal about not feeling the "societal pressure" to settle down just because he hit a certain age. He’s focused on the final seasons of The Boys and his growing production interests.
Kelsey, meanwhile, is expanding her brand beyond modeling into wellness and lifestyle. They seem to be "building" rather than just "dating."
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If you’re looking for signs of trouble, you won’t find them. They were recently spotted in Los Angeles looking incredibly domestic—just grabbing coffee, no glam, no entourage. Sometimes the most "boring" celebrity couples are the ones that actually last.
What You Should Watch For Next
If you want to keep up with the couple without falling for fake tabloid "inside sources," here is what to actually look for:
- Shared Travel Posts: They still tend to post from the same locations without being in each other's photos. It’s their signature move.
- Dog Sightings: If Kelsey starts posting more with Shiner (Chace’s dog), that’s the ultimate sign of "family" status.
- Red Carpet Choice: See if they attend the next major Amazon Prime premiere together. Chace usually goes solo unless it’s serious.
The Chace Crawford and girlfriend Kelsey Merritt relationship is a masterclass in how to be a celebrity couple in the mid-2020s. It’s grounded, it’s stylish, and most importantly, it feels authentic to who they both are. No "dumpster fire" here—just two people who finally got the timing right.
To stay updated on the couple, keep an eye on Kelsey’s travel vlogs and Chace’s rare, but usually funny, Instagram stories. They’ve proven that you can be famous and still keep the best parts of your life for yourself.