If you’ve spent any time on TikTok over the last year, you’ve probably seen the video. You know the one. Mason Thames and Mckenna Grace, dressed in their Regretting You costumes, recreating that iconic elevator scene from 500 Days of Summer. It ends with Mason pulling Mckenna into a kiss that looked a little too natural to just be "for the cameras."
The internet, as it usually does, went into a total meltdown.
But were they actually together, or was this just the most effective movie marketing campaign in recent history? Honestly, the line between Clara and Miller (their characters) and Mckenna and Mason (the humans) got incredibly blurry during the press tour for the Colleen Hoover adaptation.
The Uber Ride That Started Everything
Most costars meet for the first time at a formal table read or in a cold rehearsal room. Not these two. Mason told PEOPLE that they actually met in an Uber on their way to see Deadpool & Wolverine months before cameras even started rolling for Regretting You.
"We just clicked immediately," Mason said. It wasn't awkward. It wasn't professional. It was just... easy.
That instant connection turned into a summer of hanging out long before they had to play love interests. By the time they got to set, they weren't strangers trying to manufacture chemistry. They were already best friends. Mckenna even admitted to EW that Mason knows her "inside and out," which made the more vulnerable, romantic scenes in the film feel safe rather than scary.
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The Evidence: Hand-Holding and Birthday Trips
If they were trying to keep things low-key, they didn't do a very good job. In June 2025, the pair were spotted walking through SoHo in New York City. They weren't just walking; they were holding hands and smiling at each other like they were the only two people in Manhattan.
Then came Mason’s 18th birthday in July.
Instead of a massive Hollywood party, he went back home to Texas. And who was there? Mckenna. Mason later gushed about how she "gels with everybody" and spent the week hanging out with his family and best friends. That’s usually a pretty big step in "just friends" territory.
What they've actually said (and haven't said)
- Mckenna Grace: When asked point-blank on Today with Jenna & Friends if Mason was her "partner" in real life, she laughed, hid her face, and gave a very classic "no comment at this time." But she followed it up by calling him her "favorite person."
- Mason Thames: He’s been a bit more vocal about his admiration, calling Mckenna the "closest person" to him and admitting they improvised "a lot of kisses" on set because it felt right for the characters.
- The Aquarium Rule: Apparently, every city they visit together, Mckenna forces Mason to go to a zoo or an aquarium. He even shared a story about them walking around an aquarium sharing a pair of AirPods, listening to her specific "aquarium playlist" while looking at sharks.
Is It Real or Just Good Acting?
Look, they are both incredibly talented actors. Mckenna has been a powerhouse since she was a kid in Gifted, and Mason proved he can handle intense emotion in The Black Phone. Some fans are convinced the "romance" was a calculated move to drive hype for Regretting You and their other project, the Green Day-produced New Year's Rev.
But you can't fake the way they talk about each other. Mason describes her as a "warrior" with a work ethic that motivates him to be better. Mckenna talks about the "deep trust" they have.
Whether they are officially "boyfriend and girlfriend" or just two people who found a once-in-a-lifetime connection while filming back-to-back movies, the bond is clearly there. They've stopped short of a "hard launch" on Instagram, but the public PDA and the family birthday trips speak louder than a formal press release ever could.
How to Follow the Story
If you're trying to keep up with the latest on Mason and Mckenna, your best bet isn't waiting for a statement from their reps. Watch their TikToks.
They tend to drop "Easter eggs" in their captions and background details of their videos. While they’ve both moved on to massive new projects—Mason with How to Train Your Dragon and The Black Phone 2, and Mckenna with her music and various indie roles—they still seem to occupy the same orbit.
What you can do next:
Keep an eye on the red carpet photos from the upcoming New Year's Rev screenings. If they’re still doing the "aquarium dates" and showing up for each other's family milestones, that "no comment" from Mckenna is basically a "yes." You can also check out Mckenna's latest music releases; she’s known for writing cryptic, honest lyrics about her personal life that might give more insight than any interview.