Hollywood couples usually follow a script. They meet on a high-budget set, do the red carpet rounds, and then quietly vanish from each other's Instagram grids when the contract—or the spark—ends. For a long time, the Rachel Zegler boyfriend conversation was centered entirely on Josh Andrés Rivera. They were the "it" couple of the musical theater world, a pairing that felt grounded in a way most celebrity romances don't.
But things changed.
If you’ve been scrolling through TikTok or checking the latest Broadway casting news, you might have noticed a shift. The era of Josh and Rachel, which spanned from the set of Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story to the bleak landscapes of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, has officially closed its curtains.
The Transition from Josh Andrés Rivera to Nathan Louis-Fernand
It’s hard to talk about Rachel's dating life without acknowledging how deep the roots went with Josh. They were together for nearly four years. That’s a lifetime in your early twenties, especially when you’re navigating sudden, massive fame. They met in 2019, went public in early 2021, and became a staple at the Oscars and the Grammys.
Honestly, fans were pretty blindsided when rumors of a split started circulating in late 2024. Rachel had always called him her "life partner" and the person who kept her from reading the comments of "3,000 faceless strangers."
The breakup was quiet. No messy Twitter threads. No shade-filled interviews. By the time 2025 rolled around, the photos together had largely disappeared, and a new face entered the frame: Nathan Louis-Fernand.
Who is the new guy?
Nathan Louis-Fernand isn't just some random guy Rachel met at a party. Like her previous relationship, this one was born out of a professional collaboration. Nathan is an incredibly talented professional dancer and actor.
You’ve probably seen him without realizing it. He was a dancer in Wonka alongside Timothée Chalamet and has a massive stage resume, including Hamilton, The Lion King, and & Juliet. He’s what the industry calls a "triple threat."
The two met while working on the London West End revival of Evita. Rachel was playing Eva Perón, and Nathan was in the ensemble. Rehearsals in London reportedly sparked an "instant connection," and they were first spotted looking very cozy at Sabrina Carpenter’s BST Hyde Park performance in June 2025.
Why the Rachel Zegler Boyfriend News Matters in 2026
By now, in early 2026, the relationship is fully "Instagram official." They’ve done the hard launch. Nathan even shared a series of photos of them together before briefly taking them down, likely to avoid the inevitable wave of intense fan scrutiny that follows anyone dating a Disney princess.
It's interesting how Rachel seems to find love within her craft. Some people call it "showmance," but for her, it seems more about finding someone who understands the grueling schedule of a performer.
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"Having a familiar face on any set... is the biggest form of comfort," Zegler once told People.
That sentiment clearly hasn't changed. Whether she's on a film set in Atlanta or a stage in London, she gravitates toward partners who speak the same creative language. Nathan, who trained at The Urdang Academy and Sylvia Young Theatre School, fits that mold perfectly. He understands the 8-show-a-week grind because he's doing it right alongside her.
Addressing the Rumors: Kit Connor and Tom Blyth
Whenever a famous woman is single for more than five minutes, the internet starts pairing her with every co-star she’s ever shared a sandwich with. During the gap between Josh and Nathan, the rumor mill went into overdrive.
- Kit Connor: After starring together in the Broadway production of Romeo + Juliet, fans were convinced something was happening. Their chemistry was undeniable on stage, but it turns out they are just very good friends.
- Tom Blyth: The Hunger Games press tour was so charming that people naturally wanted Lucy Gray and Coriolanus Snow to date in real life. Again, strictly professional.
It turns out the actual Rachel Zegler boyfriend was the guy dancing in the background of her London show all along.
What the Future Looks Like
Currently, Rachel is prepping for a limited concert engagement of The Last Five Years in London this March. Since Nathan is based in the UK and is a veteran of the West End scene, this "London Era" for Rachel seems to be as much about her personal life as it is her career.
If you're following this saga for the drama, you're going to be disappointed. Rachel and Josh seem to have moved on with a level of maturity that’s rare for people in their mid-twenties. Josh has been busy with his own career, notably starring in American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez.
For those looking to keep up with the couple, the best bet is following Nathan Louis-Fernand’s social media—though he keeps a lower profile than the Hollywood A-listers. He’s often sharing fitness content (the man is famously "shredded" from his Magic Mike Live days) and glimpses of his close-knit family.
The takeaway here is simple: Rachel Zegler hasn't changed her pattern of keeping her inner circle small and filled with people who actually get the work. Nathan Louis-Fernand is the latest chapter in that story.
Key Facts to Remember:
- Rachel and Josh Andrés Rivera broke up in late 2024 after 3+ years.
- She is currently dating Nathan Louis-Fernand, a professional dancer.
- They met during the London production of Evita in 2025.
- Rumors about Kit Connor or Tom Blyth remain unfounded.
If you want to see them in action, look for clips of the Evita press nights from last year or keep an eye on the London Palladium stage door. The transition from Hollywood movie star boyfriend to West End dancer boyfriend seems to have given Rachel a bit of a reset, away from the intense glare of the California paparazzi.
To stay updated on Rachel's upcoming projects, you can track her 2026 performance schedule at the London Palladium or follow her official production announcements for The Last Five Years.