Mae Whitman and Miles Heizer: What Most People Get Wrong

If you spent any time on the corner of the internet that obsesses over mid-2010s NBC dramas, you probably think you know the deal with Mae Whitman and Miles Heizer. You’ve seen the Instagram posts. You’ve seen the matching outfits, the blurry Coachella photos, and that one time they lived together in a guest house. It looks like a romance. It feels like a "soulmate" situation.

But it isn’t. Not in the way most people mean.

The reality of their bond is actually way more interesting than a standard Hollywood hookup. It’s a decade-long masterclass in what happens when "work family" becomes your actual family.

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The Parenthood Roots

They met on the set of Parenthood back in 2010. Mae played the rebellious Amber Holt; Miles played her awkward, younger brother Drew. On screen, they were siblings navigating a messy family tree. Off screen? They basically became the same person.

Most TV siblings tolerate each other between takes. These two started finishing each other's sentences. By the time the show wrapped in 2015, the lines hadn't just blurred—they’d vanished.

Mae has gone on record saying she doesn't really remember what her life was like before Miles. That’s a heavy thing to say about a co-star. But if you've ever had that one friend who just gets your specific brand of weirdness, you know exactly what she's talking about.

The Living Situation and the Romance Rumors

For years, fans were convinced they were a secret couple. They moved in together after the show ended. They shared a bed in photos. They wore jewelry with each other's names on it.

Honestly, it’s easy to see why the rumors stuck.

In a world of PR-managed friendships, their intimacy looked "suspiciously" real. But here’s the thing: they weren't hiding a romance. They were highlighting a "queerplatonic" relationship before that term was even mainstream.

Miles Heizer came out publicly as part of the LGBTQ+ community years ago. He famously dated Connor Jessup for several years (starting around 2020), a relationship that was very much public and very much not Mae.

Meanwhile, Mae Whitman came out as pansexual in 2021. She explained that she can fall in love with people of all genders, but her "person" isn't necessarily a romantic partner. Sometimes your person is just the guy who lives in your guest house and sings Taylor Swift songs with you at 2:00 AM.

That Baby Announcement (The Ultimate Tribute)

The biggest "wait, what?" moment happened in 2024. Mae announced she was pregnant and eventually gave birth to a son.

The internet went into a tailspin. Was Miles the father? Was it some kind of Parenthood miracle?

Nope.

In August 2024, Mae introduced her son to the world. His name? Miles.

She literally named her first child after her best friend. She called him "Uncle Miles" in the announcement, effectively ending any lingering "are they dating" theories while simultaneously proving their bond is deeper than most marriages.

It turns out the father is actually her former co-star Carlos Valdes (from the show Up Here). Lauren Graham—their on-screen mom—actually let that detail slip in early 2025, mentioning that Carlos was doing Hadestown on Broadway while Mae was filming in Ireland.

Why We Are Still Obsessed

Why does this specific friendship still trend in 2026?

Because it’s rare. Hollywood is full of "industry friends" who stop texting the second the series finale airs. Mae and Miles didn't just stay in touch; they built a life around each other.

They represent a shift in how we look at relationships. You can have a soulmate who isn't your partner. You can have a "brother" who isn't related to you by blood.

• They were roommates for years in Los Angeles.
• They share a "mom" in Lauren Graham, who they still hang out with constantly.
• They use social media as a scrapbook of their genuine lives, not just a highlight reel.

What You Should Take Away

If you’re looking for a secret love story here, you’re looking at the wrong kind of love. The story of Mae Whitman and Miles Heizer is about the family you choose.

It’s about finding someone who likes the same obscure indie bands and isn't afraid to look like an idiot with you in public. It’s about naming your kid after the person who helped you grow up on a soundstage in Burbank.

If you want to keep up with them, keep an eye on their niche projects. Mae is currently killing it in the voice-acting world and indie drama scene, while Miles continues to pick roles that challenge the "teen heartthrob" mold he started in.

Check out their old interviews on YouTube if you want to see the chemistry in action. You'll see two people who aren't performing for the camera—they're just existing in a world only the two of them really understand. That's the real "relationship goal" right there.

Next Steps for Fans:

• Watch the 2023 musical series Up Here on Hulu to see the chemistry between Mae and her actual partner, Carlos Valdes.
• Revisit the final season of Parenthood (Season 6) to see the "Uncle Miles" namesake origins in the Amber/Drew sibling arc.
• Follow their Instagram accounts for the occasional "family reunion" photos with Lauren Graham, which usually happen around major holidays.