Hollywood loves a crossover episode. But when the worlds of Pretty Little Liars and Riverdale collided in real life back in early 2021, nobody really saw it coming. The images were everywhere. One minute we’re scrolling through the usual celebrity coffee runs, and the next, there’s Lucy Hale and Skeet Ulrich looking very much like a couple at a Los Angeles cafe.
It was a total "wait, what?" moment for the internet.
Skeet Ulrich, the man who gave us the ultimate 90s bad boy in Scream and the brooding FP Jones in Riverdale, was 51 at the time. Lucy Hale, our beloved Aria Montgomery, was 31. That 20-year age gap became the main character of the story almost instantly. People had opinions.
The Lunch Date That Started It All
It all went down at Sweet Butter Cafe in Encino. It wasn't just a "maybe they're friends" vibe. The paparazzi caught them sharing a kiss, holding hands across the table, and basically doing all the stuff people do when they're in that dizzying "new relationship" phase.
Honestly, they looked cute.
They were both wearing masks—this was February 2021, after all—but you couldn't miss the chemistry. Skeet had his arms wrapped around Lucy while they waited for their food. It felt less like a PR stunt and more like two people who genuinely enjoyed each other's company.
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Then came the Instagram flirting.
Lucy posted a photo of herself in a plaid mini skirt with the caption "I miss New York." Skeet didn’t hesitate. He dropped a "My goodness!!" in the comments. In the world of celebrity sleuthing, that’s basically a public declaration of interest.
Why Lucy Hale and Skeet Ulrich Didn't Last
If you were hoping for a long-term Hollywood power couple, I’ve got some bad news. The flame burned out pretty fast. By April 2021, just about two months after those first PDA photos surfaced, sources started telling outlets like E! News and Us Weekly that the romance had fizzled.
It was described as a "trial run."
Basically, they wanted to see if they could transition from being friends to being something more. They shared mutual friends and moved in the same acting circles—Hale had even starred in the Riverdale spin-off Katy Keene—so they were around each other a lot. But sometimes, the spark just isn't enough to build a whole relationship on.
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Reports suggested Skeet might have been "pushing harder" for it to work, while Lucy was ready to move on. There was no big drama, though. No messy Instagram unfollowing or cryptic "shade" thrown in interviews. They just went back to being friends.
Lucy Hale's Take on the Age Gap
For a long time, Lucy didn't say much about it. But she eventually opened up on Rachel Bilson's Broad Ideas podcast. She didn't name Skeet specifically, but the math was pretty obvious. She talked about dating men in their 50s and how much she actually enjoyed the lack of "bullsh*t."
"I've dated all the way up to 52," she said. "He was a young 52... no bulls–t, almost."
She explained that she’s drawn to older men because of their maturity and the fact that they usually meet her "non-negotiables." At 33 (at the time of the interview), she felt that people in that older age bracket were more likely to be on her level. It wasn't about the number on the birth certificate; it was about the energy.
The Aftermath and Where They Are Now
Skeet has always been a bit of a romantic. Before Lucy, he had been married twice—to Georgina Cates and Amelia Jackson-Gray—and had a somewhat turbulent split from model Megan Blake Irwin. For him, the brief stint with Lucy seemed like a breath of fresh air after some heavier times.
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As for Lucy? She’s famously private about her love life, despite being linked to names like Colton Underwood and Riley Smith over the years. She’s often said she loves being single unless someone truly elevates her life.
It’s easy to judge a 20-year age gap from the outside. Social media definitely did. But looking back at Lucy Hale and Skeet Ulrich, it seems like it was just a short, sweet chapter for two people who needed a bit of fun and companionship during a weird time in the world.
What We Can Learn From the "Trial Run"
If you're looking for a takeaway from this short-lived romance, it's probably this:
- Friendship first isn't foolproof. Just because you have a great foundation doesn't mean the romantic chemistry will hold up under pressure.
- Age is a factor, but not always the dealbreaker. Lucy’s comments suggest the maturity was actually a pro, not a con.
- Clean breaks are possible. You don't always need a "villain" in a breakup story. Sometimes, it just doesn't feel right, and that's okay.
If you’re curious about how these two are doing today, both are still crushing it in their respective lanes. Skeet continues to be a staple in the horror and drama world, and Lucy is constantly busy with new projects, proving that sometimes a "brief romance" is exactly what you need to keep moving forward.
For anyone navigating the dating world themselves, Lucy’s "non-negotiables" approach is actually pretty solid advice. Don't settle for someone who doesn't elevate your life, regardless of how many candles are on their birthday cake.
Next Steps for Celeb Fans:
If you want to keep up with their latest work, check out Lucy Hale's recent projects like Ragdoll or Skeet's return to the Scream franchise. You can also follow their official Instagram accounts for a glimpse into their current (and much more private) lives.