When you play a character as iconic and, let’s be honest, slightly unhinged as Cheryl Blossom for seven seasons, people start to think they know your personal life. They don't. Madelaine Petsch has spent the better part of a decade trying to keep the "real" her separate from the red-lipsticked Riverdale vixen, but in the world of paparazzi and Instagram sleuths, secrets have a short shelf life.
Honestly, the fascination with her love life isn't just about celebrity gossip. It's about how a woman who once shared every "couples vlog" on YouTube pivoted to becoming one of the most private stars in Hollywood. Until, of course, a certain rapper entered the frame in 2025 and broke the internet.
The Unexpected Turn in the Madelaine Petsch Dating History
If you’ve been following the headlines lately, you know the name Tyga has been popping up next to Madelaine’s more than anyone expected. It started as a "wait, what?" rumor when they were spotted at a Lakers game in early 2025. People were skeptical. They’re from totally different worlds—the vegan, ultra-disciplined actress and the rapper famously linked to the Kardashian-Jenner circle.
But by April 2025, the "soft launch" became a "hard launch."
They went Instagram official at Coachella, looking very much like an item. While some fans are still scratching their heads over the pairing, insiders say they were friends for a long time before things got romantic. It’s a classic case of the person you’ve known for years suddenly becoming the person you can't live without. Sources close to the couple mention she's been a massive support system for him, especially after the loss of his mother, Pasionaye Nguyen, last year.
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The Anthony Li Era: 10 Years in the Making
Before the Tyga news hit the fan, there was Anthony Li. This was the relationship that proved Madelaine had officially entered her "private era."
Anthony isn't an actor; he’s a heavy hitter in the music industry, specifically known for managing Halsey. What’s wild is that they actually knew each other for nine years before they even started dating in 2022. Imagine having a friend for nearly a decade and then realizing, oh, wait, you’re the one.
Why Anthony Was Different
- Long-term Foundation: They had nearly a decade of friendship to lean on.
- Low Profile: Unlike her previous high-profile romance, they rarely posted each other.
- Mutual Interests: Both are high-achievers in their respective creative fields.
They were first caught by the paps at a Valentino show in Paris back in October 2022. It took almost another year before she confirmed it on her Instagram Stories in August 2023. She even shared a TikTok of him organizing an Amazing Race-style scavenger hunt for her 29th birthday. It was wholesome. It was low-key. And then, quietly, they went their separate ways sometime late in 2024. No drama, no messy statements. Just... over.
The Olympic Connection: Miles Chamley-Watson
Following her big breakup in 2020, rumors swirled that Madelaine was seeing Olympic fencer Miles Chamley-Watson. This was during the height of the pandemic when the Riverdale cast was essentially bubbled together in Vancouver.
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Miles reportedly moved his training from LA to Vancouver just to be near her. They were spotted grabbing coffee and walking her dog, Olive, with her co-star Lili Reinhart. While it was never "officially" confirmed with a grand public statement, the photos of them linked arm-in-arm through the snowy streets of British Columbia told a pretty clear story. It was a brief chapter, but one that showed she was finally ready to move on from her first major public heartbreak.
The Travis Mills Years: A YouTube Love Story
You can't talk about Madelaine Petsch dating history without talking about Travis Mills. This was the blueprint.
From 2017 to early 2020, they were the couple. Travis, a musician and actor, actually met her because he auditioned for the role of Jughead. He didn't get the part (obviously, Cole Sprouse did), but he messaged Madelaine on Facebook to congratulate her on the show.
They were inseparable. Madelaine’s YouTube channel, which now has millions of subscribers, was basically a document of their life together. They did the challenges, the red carpets, the "get ready with me" videos. She once told Glamour that she shared so much because she wanted to show people that love actually exists.
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The Breakup That Hit Different
When they split in February 2020, right before the world shut down, it felt like the end of an era for fans. Travis posted a long, emotional tribute on Instagram, saying he "regretted nothing." It was a rare, mature look at a Hollywood breakup. Madelaine, on the other hand, went radio silent. She later admitted that the period following the split was incredibly dark for her, struggling with severe anxiety and the pressure of being in the public eye while her heart was breaking.
Beyond the Headlines: What We’ve Learned
Looking back at the timeline, it’s clear Madelaine has changed her approach to love. She went from the "share everything" girl with Travis to the "keep them guessing" woman with Anthony and Miles.
Even with Tyga, while they are public, she isn't making it the center of her brand. She’s focused on her production company, her fashion collaborations, and her post-Cheryl career.
The real takeaway? Madelaine Petsch isn't interested in being a tabloid fixture. She’s a woman who values long-term connections—most of her partners were friends first. Whether it’s a music manager or a world-famous rapper, she seems to prioritize people who have been in her inner circle for the long haul.
If you're looking to keep up with her latest moves, follow her official social channels but don't expect a play-by-play. She’s learned that the most special parts of a relationship are the ones that happen when the cameras aren't rolling. Keep an eye on her upcoming film projects, as she's shifted heavily into producing, which often gives more insight into her headspace than a paparazzi photo ever could.