If you spent the summer of 2022 obsessing over the debutante balls and high-stakes teen drama of Cousins Beach, you know the heartbreak. Shayla Wang was the "it-girl" we didn't know we needed. She was chic, she was confident, and her chemistry with Steven Conklin—played by the charming Sean Kaufman—was, quite frankly, the highlight of season one of The Summer I Turned Pretty.
Then came the blow.
Minnie Mills announced she wouldn't be returning for the second season. Fans were devastated. Steven’s storyline pivoted to a slow-burn romance with Taylor Jewel, and Shayla was written off with a quick mention of her being in Europe. But while their on-screen romance ended with a whimper, the real-life connection between Minnie Mills and Sean Kaufman has become one of the most talked-about "are-they-or-aren't-they" sagas in Hollywood.
Honestly, it's the kind of plot twist Jenny Han would've written herself.
The Shayla-Sized Hole in Our Hearts
Let’s get one thing straight: Shayla wasn't even in the books. Jenny Han created that role specifically for Minnie Mills because she saw something special. When Minnie posted that emotional goodbye on Instagram in April 2023, the comments were a graveyard of crying emojis. Sean Kaufman himself commented, calling her the "best scene partner."
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It felt final. It felt like the end of an era for #Stayla.
But then things got interesting. While the show moved on to season three (which wrapped up the trilogy in 2025), Minnie and Sean didn't exactly go their separate ways. Instead, they started popping up everywhere together.
Moving Past the "Rumor" Phase
For a long time, fans were just speculating. A photo here, a "like" there. We've all seen the drill. But then the evidence started piling up in a way that’s hard to ignore.
- The Blackpink Concert: In July 2023, Minnie shared snaps of her and Sean at a Blackpink concert in NYC. They looked cozy. Like, actually cozy.
- The Double Dates: This is where it gets real. Sean and Minnie have been spotted multiple times on double dates with fellow co-star Christopher Briney and his girlfriend, Isabel Machado. They’ve even gone on vacation together to Mexico.
- The 2025 Updates: By late 2025 and moving into 2026, sources like the Daily Mail and Brit + Co have all but confirmed it. Insiders say they are "still together and very happy."
It’s refreshing, really. In an industry where "showmances" usually fizzle out the moment the cameras stop rolling, these two seem to have built something that actually lasts. Sean is famously private, but the sheer volume of public appearances—from basketball games to high-end fashion previews like the SANDRO Fall/Winter 2025 collection—speaks for itself.
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Why This Pair Actually Works
Maybe it's because they both value things outside of the Hollywood bubble. Minnie isn't just an actress; she’s a neuroscience student at Columbia University and a serious activist for North Korean refugees. Sean, a Japanese-American actor from NYC, has been vocal about his protective nature over his real-life sister, which helped him ground the character of Steven.
They seem to have a shared groundedness. While Sean’s career is exploding—he recently joined the cast of the horror film Other Mommy alongside Jessica Chastain—he’s kept his personal life remarkably stable.
People often ask if Shayla will ever come back. With the series officially concluded and a feature-length film announced for late 2025/early 2026, the door is technically open. But even if Shayla and Steven never reunite on our TV screens, Minnie and Sean are doing just fine in the real world.
The Current Status in 2026
As of early 2026, the consensus among fans and celebrity outlets is that Minnie Mills and Sean Kaufman are still a very active item. They haven't done a "Vogue 73 Questions" together or a "couple's reveal" on TikTok, but they don't have to. The consistency of their relationship is their biggest statement.
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If you're looking for what's next, keep an eye on:
- Sean's New Projects: For All Mankind season five and his film with Jessica Chastain are set to keep him in the spotlight.
- Minnie's Activism: She continues to be a powerhouse in the mental health and education accessibility space.
- The TSITP Movie: While Shayla's return isn't confirmed, the buzz surrounding the upcoming continuation movie will likely see the cast reuniting for press events soon.
Basically, the "Summer" might be over for the show, but for Minnie and Sean, the heat hasn't died down one bit. It’s a rare Hollywood win for the fans who just wanted Steven and Shayla to work out—even if it had to happen off-camera.
Actionable Next Steps:
To keep up with the latest on this pair without falling for clickbait, follow Minnie Mills' official Instagram for her frequent "photo dumps" which often feature Sean. For professional updates, check the trades for Sean Kaufman’s upcoming film releases in late 2026.