If you’ve spent the last decade crying to "Gravity" or belting out "Brave" in your car, you probably feel like you know Sara Bareilles. She’s the patron saint of the brokenhearted and the fiercely independent. So, when news broke that she finally tied the knot, the internet basically had a collective "it’s about time" moment.
But who is the guy?
Joe Tippett isn't just "Sara Bareilles' husband." Though, let's be honest, that’s a pretty great title to have on a resume. He’s a heavyweight in the acting world who has been quietly crushing it on stage and screen for years.
The Meet-Cute That Wasn't Exactly "Cute"
Most celebrity couples meet at a swanky Oscar party or through a high-end dating app like Raya. Sara and Joe? They met at work. Specifically, they met in 2015 during the out-of-town tryouts for the musical Waitress at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge.
Here is the kicker: in the show, Joe played Earl.
If you know the plot of Waitress, Earl is... well, he's the worst. He’s the moody, unsupportive, and eventually abusive husband of the protagonist, Jenna. Sara wrote the music and lyrics for the show, so she basically spent months watching Joe play the exact opposite of a "dream guy."
Life is weird.
Despite the onstage drama, things clicked behind the scenes. They didn't start dating immediately—that didn't happen until 2016—but the spark was there. They made their first big public debut as a couple at the 2017 Tony Awards, and they’ve been a red-carpet staple ever since.
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Wait, Is He That Guy From That Show?
You've definitely seen him. Joe Tippett has one of those faces that makes you go, "I know him from somewhere."
He’s a chameleon. One minute he’s playing the troubled John Ross in HBO’s Mare of Easttown (which, if you haven't seen it, stop reading and go watch it), and the next he’s in The Morning Show playing Hal Jackson. He’s got this grounded, gritty energy that directors seem to love.
He isn't just a TV guy, though. Joe is a theater veteran through and through. He made his Broadway debut in Airline Highway back in 2007. He’s the kind of actor who cares more about the craft than the paparazzi, which is probably why he and Sara—who has always been famously down-to-earth—work so well.
The Engagement: A Gold Feather and a Rooftop
After about seven years of dating, people were starting to wonder if they’d ever pull the trigger. Sara had been pretty open about her feelings on marriage, often leaning toward the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" philosophy.
Then came New Year's Day, 2023.
Sara posted a photo that sent fans into a tailspin. No, it wasn't a massive diamond that cost more than a house. It was a unique, gold feather band. It was "easy, earned, and relaxed," just like she described their relationship.
The proposal happened on a rooftop in Mexico City. Joe later admitted he actually forgot the ring downstairs and had to run back down to get it mid-proposal. Honestly? That makes the story a thousand times better than a polished, scripted Hollywood moment. It's real.
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The Wedding: October 4, 2025
They didn't rush to the altar. It took over two years from the engagement to the actual "I do."
On October 4, 2025, they finally made it official. It wasn't some over-the-top, televised extravaganza. It was an intimate, outdoor ceremony in a rural setting that felt very "them."
Sara wore a white dress with elbow-length sleeves and a plunging neckline. Joe looked sharp in a dark green three-piece suit. But the real star of the show? Their dog. The pup walked down the aisle in a custom tiny tuxedo with a red bow tie.
"We did a big thing," Sara wrote on Instagram a few days later.
One of the most relatable things about their wedding was Sara’s "non-negotiables" list. She told People magazine before the big day that she didn't care about the fancy stuff. She wanted comfortable places for people to sit and "lots of blankets" because she hates being cold.
She also stood firm on one rule: she was not performing. After a career of being the one on stage, she wanted to just be the bride. She wanted her friends to drink champagne and relax, not feel like they were at a concert.
What Most People Get Wrong
There’s a common misconception that Sara Bareilles is always writing about heartbreak. People hear "Love Song" and assume she’s perpetually cynical about romance.
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Actually, Joe seems to be the one who helped her flip the script.
She’s mentioned in interviews that he helped her love parts of herself she was afraid to look at. It’s not a "save me" kind of love; it’s a "let's walk through this together" kind of love.
If you're looking for the "husband" in her lyrics now, you'll find him in the songs that feel a bit more grounded and "earned." It’s less about the lightning strike and more about the steady glow.
Where They Are Now
As of 2026, the couple is settled into married life. Joe is still busy with major projects—he’s recently been tied to the series American Primeval—and Sara continues to balance her music career with her acting roles in shows like Girls5eva.
They’ve managed to do something pretty rare in the industry: they’ve kept their private life mostly private while still being "open" with fans. You won't find them in the tabloids for drama. You'll find them at a Broadway opening night or posting photos of their dog.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Check out Joe's work: To see why he’s more than just a "celebrity husband," watch Mare of Easttown or the filmed version of Waitress (he plays Earl).
- Look for the "Waitress" connection: If you ever watch the live capture of the musical, keep an eye on the chemistry between Jenna and Earl—it's wild to think they were falling in love for real while playing such a fractured couple.
- Follow the journey: Both are active on Instagram, but they don't post "filler" content. When they share something, it’s usually meaningful.
The story of Sara Bareilles and Joe Tippett is a reminder that sometimes the best things take time. There was no rush, no pressure to perform for the cameras—just two talented people who found each other in the wings of a theater and decided to stay.