In the world of pop music, a single burger run can launch a thousand fan theories. That’s basically what happened when Harry Styles and Olivia Dean were spotted together at a Five Guys in London back in August 2024. For a minute there, the internet collectively lost its mind. People were convinced we were witnessing the birth of the next British power couple.
But as we settle into 2026, the dust has finally cleared, and the picture looks a lot different than the frantic tweets suggested. If you’ve been following the breadcrumbs—from festival sightings in Madrid to the lyrics of Olivia’s latest album, The Art of Loving—you know it's a mix of genuine friendship and perhaps a bit of "what if."
Honestly, the connection between these two is one of the most interesting "did they or didn't they" stories in recent years because it's built on mutual musical respect rather than just red-carpet optics.
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The Five Guys Sighting That Started It All
Let’s go back to that Saturday in August 2024. Harry, fresh off a breakup with Taylor Russell, was seen at the fast-food chain ordering a cookies and cream milkshake. Standing right there with him was Olivia Dean.
Now, if you’re a fan, you know Harry doesn’t do anything halfway. If he’s out in public, he knows people are watching. For Olivia, a neo-soul star who’s been steadily climbing the charts with hits like "Dive" and "The Hardest Part," it was a massive moment of exposure.
Naturally, the tabloids went into overdrive. The Sun reported they had known each other for a while and shared a love for London’s hidden food spots. But while the "dating rumors" were the headline, the reality seemed a bit more grounded. They looked comfortable. Low-key. Like two people who actually enjoy each other's company without the need for a "Hard Launch" on Instagram.
From Madrid to Glastonbury: A Growing Friendship
The sightings didn't stop at a burger joint. A few weeks later, Harry was seen in the crowd at the Kalorama festival in Madrid. Who was on stage? Olivia Dean.
It’s one thing to grab a burger; it’s another to fly to Spain to watch someone perform. This fueled the fire that they might be more than just friends. Later, they were spotted together again at a Sam Smith show. By the time Glastonbury 2025 rolled around, the rumors reached a fever pitch. A grainy video surfaced of Harry kissing a mystery woman in the crowd. Half the internet swore it was Olivia; the other half pointed to Ella Kenny or even Zoë Kravitz (who Harry has been more recently linked to in early 2026).
What we do know for sure is that they are in the same circle. Olivia has often spoken about wanting to keep her private life private, especially after her long-term relationship with drummer Mikey ended. She’s a "London girl" through and through, and Harry, despite his global superstar status, has always had a soft spot for the UK music scene.
Decoding the Lyrics: Is "Nice to Each Other" About Harry?
This is where things get really fun for the theorists. When Olivia released "Nice to Each Other" in 2025, fans immediately started dissecting the lyrics.
Some of the lines felt incredibly specific:
- "But if I come to Italy": Harry famously spends a huge amount of time in Italy and owns property near Lago di Bolsena.
- "Meet me on the mountaintop": This led fans to think of Civita di Bagnoregio, a stunning hilltop town Harry often visits.
- "A satellite ain't even that far": This one is almost too on the nose. Harry’s hit "Satellite" is a fan favorite, and Olivia using that specific imagery felt like a direct nod.
Is it a "response track"? Maybe. Or maybe it's just two artists using the same metaphors because they’ve spent time talking about the same things. In her recent interviews about her 2025 album The Art of Loving, Olivia has been vague, mostly focusing on the idea of modern dating being "disposable" and how she prefers real, tangible connections.
Why a Collaboration Makes More Sense Than a Romance
While everyone wants the fairy tale romance, the most likely "endgame" for Olivia Dean and Harry Styles is a studio session.
Harry is currently gearing up for his fourth solo album, and the industry chatter for 2026 is that he’s looking to experiment more with soul and jazz influences. Olivia is the queen of that space right now. Her voice has that timeless, classic quality that would pair perfectly with Harry’s rock-pop sensibilities.
There have been persistent rumors about a duet. Given that Harry rarely does features (his previous albums are famously solo affairs), bringing Olivia onto a track would be a massive statement. It would signal a shift in his musical direction—moving away from the "Harry’s House" synth-pop and toward something more organic and vocally driven.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that there has to be a "label" on it. In the era of 2026 celebrity culture, stars are getting better at maintaining "situationships" or close friendships that don't need a PR confirmation.
- Fact: They have been seen together multiple times in London and Europe.
- Fact: They share mutual friends in the British indie and soul scenes.
- Rumor: They are in a committed, long-term relationship. (There's no evidence for this, especially with Harry being linked to Zoë Kravitz recently).
Honestly, the most refreshing thing about the Olivia Dean and Harry Styles saga is how normal it seems. No messy drama, no cryptic IG stories, just two very talented people hanging out and maybe—just maybe—making some incredible music together behind closed doors.
How to Stay Updated on Olivia and Harry
If you're looking to keep track of where this goes next, keep an eye on the festival lineups for the summer of 2026. If Harry is headlining and Olivia is on the bill, the "Nice to Each Other" duet might finally happen live.
- Follow the credits: Check the songwriting credits on Harry's upcoming album for Olivia's name or her frequent collaborators.
- Watch the London scene: They both frequent small venues in East and North London.
- Listen to the music: Olivia’s The Art of Loving is the best place to find clues about her headspace during the time they were most frequently spotted together.
The reality is probably simpler than the fan fiction. They are two of the most talented voices in Britain right now, and they clearly like each other's vibe. Whether that's a romance or just a really cool friendship, it's a win for music fans.