If you were conscious during the late 2000s, Chace Crawford wasn't just an actor. He was basically the blueprint for the "all-American heartthrob." Playing Nate Archibald on Gossip Girl meant his face was plastered on every locker and bedroom wall from New York to Manila. But honestly, while his character was constantly entangled in Upper East Side drama, Chace’s actual life has been a lot more low-key—and way more interesting—than the tabloids suggest.
People always assume he’s been this serial dater. You know the type. The guy who moves from one Hollywood starlet to the next every three months. But if you actually look at the Chace Crawford dating history, it’s not a list of dozens of flings. It’s actually a mix of long-term commitments, very quiet breakups, and a surprising amount of "we're just friends" that turned out to actually be true.
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The Kelsey Merritt Era: Where Things Stand in 2026
Let’s talk about the present first because it’s the most "official" he’s been in years. As of early 2026, Chace is still very much linked to Victoria’s Secret model Kelsey Merritt. This wasn't one of those blink-and-you-miss-it Coachella flings. They’ve been a thing since late 2024.
It started with the usual internet sleuthing—mutual Instagram follows, similar vacation backgrounds in St. Barts—but it really solidified in 2025. They were spotted kissing in NYC, and then Chace did something he almost never does: he went "Instagram official" for his 40th birthday in July 2025. He shared a mirror selfie with Kelsey where they were both in black, and she was holding his birthday cake. For a guy who once told Alex Cooper on Call Her Daddy that his dating life felt like a "dumpster fire," he seems to have finally found some level ground.
The Rebecca Rittenhouse Chapter (And That Dog)
If you want to understand how Chace handles relationships, you have to look at Rebecca Rittenhouse. They met on the set of the short-lived ABC drama Blood & Oil back in 2015. They were together for over three years. That’s a lifetime in Hollywood years.
What’s wild isn't just that they stayed together that long; it’s what happened after. They broke up around late 2018, but they still co-parent their rescue dog, Shiner. Chace has been super open about this. He literally lets her into his house when he’s not there so she can pick up the dog.
"I don't think it's a weird thing at all. It's actually the only way to have a dog." — Chace Crawford on Call Her Daddy, June 2024.
Honestly, that’s kind of the ultimate green flag, right? Being able to stay that cordial with an ex shows a level of maturity you don't always see in the industry. Most people just delete the photos and never speak again. Chace and Rebecca are still walking the dog together in Los Feliz.
The Carrie Underwood "Text Message" Breakup
We can't talk about the Chace Crawford dating history without mentioning the one that everyone remembers: Carrie Underwood. This was 2007-2008, the peak of Gossip Girl fever and Carrie’s post-Idol explosion.
They were the "it" couple, but it ended via text. Yeah, a text. Carrie actually confirmed this years ago, saying it was just a "point B to point C" kind of thing. No hard feelings, just two people who were way too famous at the same time and couldn't make the logistics work. Chace has always been a gentleman about it, never throwing shade in interviews.
The Rumor Mill: Who Actually Made the List?
Between the big relationships, there’s been a ton of noise. Because he’s Chace Crawford, if he stands next to a woman for more than five seconds, the internet decides they’re engaged.
- Emma Roberts: They were spotted together a few times back in 2011, mostly at post-Oscar parties. It was never "official," but they definitely hung out in the same circle.
- Ashley Greene: There were some photos of them kissing in a car in 2009. It was a brief Twilight meets Gossip Girl crossover that fans lost their minds over, but it fizzled out quickly.
- Rachelle Goulding: A Canadian model he dated for about a year around 2013-2014. They moved to LA together when he left NYC after Gossip Girl ended, but the distance and his schedule eventually pulled them apart.
The "Gossip Girl" Co-Star Mystery
In his 2024 interview with Alex Cooper, Chace admitted he’s definitely hooked up with a co-star or two. He didn't name names. He did, however, mention that he and Leighton Meester are still very close friends.
The internet has spent a decade trying to prove he dated Taylor Momsen or Jessica Szohr, but most of that seems to be fan fiction. The reality? He lived with Ed Westwick (Chuck Bass) in a bachelor pad in Chelsea for years. They were more focused on throwing massive house parties than dating their castmates.
Why He’s "Nate Archibald" in Real Life
There’s a reason he hasn't been married or had a string of messy, public divorces. Chace is a bit of a "closet nerd," as he puts it. He likes his alone time, he reads a lot, and he’s obsessed with golf.
He spent a significant portion of his 30s being single. He even admitted to joining Raya (the elite dating app) after a few drinks one night because he was tired of being the "single guy" at every wedding. It’s sort of refreshing to hear a guy who looks like that admit that dating is hard for him too.
What We Can Learn From Chace's Approach
Looking back at the Chace Crawford dating history, a few things become clear. He doesn't do "messy." Even his breakups are quiet. If you're looking to emulate his "expert" level of dating privacy, here are a few takeaways:
- Keep the Exes Close (If It’s Healthy): The co-parenting dog situation with Rebecca Rittenhouse is a masterclass in maturity.
- Wait for the Hard Launch: Don't post the person you've been seeing for three weeks. Chace waited nearly a year to post Kelsey Merritt.
- Privacy is Power: He survived the most invasive era of paparazzi (the 2000s) by simply not giving them much to work with.
If you’re following Chace’s journey, keep an eye on his project choices. He’s currently starring in the Hulu NFL drama alongside Mandy Moore. His career is busier than ever, which usually means his personal life will stay exactly where he likes it: mostly off-camera, unless there's a birthday cake involved.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check out Chace’s recent appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast for the full "dumpster fire" dating stories.
- Follow Kelsey Merritt on Instagram if you want the occasional "soft launch" photo of their life in LA.
- Rewatch Blood & Oil to see the chemistry between him and Rebecca Rittenhouse that started it all.