If you’ve spent more than five minutes on TikTok or Netflix lately, you know exactly who Matt Rife is. The razor-sharp jawline. The relentless crowd work. The "problematic" brand of humor that keeps him in the headlines basically every other week. But along with the viral clips of him roasting hecklers, there is a question that just won't go away: is Matt Rife gay? It's a weirdly persistent rumor.
Honestly, it’s the kind of thing that happens when a male celebrity is traditionally attractive, takes a lot of care in his appearance, and has a massive female fanbase. People start digging. They start over-analyzing his mannerisms. They watch his old Wild 'N Out episodes looking for "signs." But if you actually look at the facts—his real-life dating history, his own words, and his current relationship status—the picture is a lot clearer than the internet rumors suggest.
The Viral Rumors vs. Reality
So, why does everyone keep asking if Matt Rife is gay?
A lot of it comes down to his comedy. Matt is a chameleon on stage. He’s incredibly good at impressions, and he frequently plays up different personas during crowd work. He’ll riff with guys in the front row, sometimes leaning into a flirty or "bromantic" vibe for the sake of a laugh. To a casual viewer scrolling through a 30-second TikTok clip, that playful banter can get misinterpreted.
Then there’s the "pretty boy" factor. Society has this annoying habit of questioning the sexuality of any man who looks like he spends more than ten minutes on his skincare routine.
But Matt hasn't left much to the imagination when it comes to his orientation. In a 2021 stand-up bit that’s been circulated heavily, he told a story about accidentally stumbling upon a specific type of adult content. His punchline? "I knew I wasn't gay because I wasn't turned on." He’s pretty blunt. He doesn't really do the "vague, mysterious artist" thing.
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A Look at Matt Rife’s Dating History
If you want to know who someone is into, look at who they’ve actually dated. Matt’s track record is a "who’s who" of Hollywood actresses and high-profile influencers.
- Kate Beckinsale (2017): This was the big one. Matt was just 21 when he started dating the Underworld star, who was 44 at the time. The age gap was all the tabloids could talk about. It didn't last forever, and things got a bit messy later when Matt told Pete Davidson (who also dated Kate) to "run," though he’s since apologized for being "petty."
- Lucy Hale (2023): There were reports of a brief fling with the Pretty Little Liars actress. It wasn't a long-term thing, but it added another high-profile woman to his list.
- Jessica Lord (2023–2024): This was a more serious relationship. Matt dated the English actress and dancer for about nine months. He even called her a vital part of his "infrastructure" in interviews. They split amicably in early 2024.
The pattern here is pretty consistent. Every public romantic link he’s ever had has been with a woman.
Who is Matt Rife Dating Now?
If you’re still wondering about the is Matt Rife gay question in 2026, his current relationship should probably put the rumors to bed.
Matt is currently dating Mariah Morse, a fitness model and bodybuilding champion.
They first sparked rumors back in March 2025 when they were spotted holding hands in Rhode Island. Since then, they’ve gone "Instagram official." Mariah frequently posts about him, and he’s been seen supporting her at her bodybuilding competitions (she actually won the Bikini Overall title at the Summer Shredding Championship in 2025).
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Matt has been more private about this relationship than his previous ones. He told Billboard that he tries to keep his personal life separate because "people are absolutely insane." He’s not wrong. The internet has a way of tearing celebrity couples apart for sport.
Why the Rumors Persist
The "is he or isn't he" conversation often stems from the way Matt interacts with his audience. In his Netflix special Natural Selection, he made a point to say he doesn't just "pander" to women. He wanted to make a special for "the guys."
Ironically, by trying to appeal to a more traditionally masculine audience, he ended up alienating some of the very people who made him famous. This tension between his "pretty boy" image and his "edgy guy's guy" comedy creates a weird friction that leads to speculation.
Also, let's be real: some of it is just "shipping." Fans love to project their own ideas onto celebrities.
The Actionable Takeaway
So, what's the bottom line?
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Based on every piece of available evidence—his public dating history, his long-term relationships with women, his explicit denials in his comedy sets, and his current girlfriend Mariah Morse—Matt Rife is straight.
If you’re following him for the drama, there’s plenty of that to go around without making up his sexuality. Between his world tours and his habit of sparking "cancel culture" debates, he’s always doing something.
Here is what you can do to stay updated on the facts:
- Check the source: If you see a "clickbait" headline about Matt coming out, look for a direct quote or a confirmed report from a reputable outlet like People or TMZ.
- Watch the full sets: Don't rely on 10-second clips. Matt's humor is contextual. He roasts everyone—men, women, straight, gay—without discrimination.
- Follow his verified accounts: He’s been very clear about who he is dating. If you want the truth, look at who he’s actually standing next to in his photos.
Matt Rife has built a career on being "unfiltered." If he had something to announce about his identity, he’s exactly the type of person who would say it at the top of his lungs in the middle of a sold-out arena. Until then, the rumors are just that: rumors.