Taylor Kinney finally did it. The man who spent years as Chicago’s most eligible bachelor—both on-screen as Kelly Severide and in the relentless gaze of the paparazzi—is officially off the market. It wasn't a televised spectacle or a star-studded gala at a five-star hotel. Honestly, it was the exact opposite.
On April 30, 2024, Kinney tied the knot with model Ashley Cruger in what reps described as a "small, private ceremony." If you were expecting a massive "Stellaride" style event with half the cast of Chicago Fire in the pews, you might be a little disappointed. They kept it low-key. They kept it in Chicago. They kept it theirs.
The news didn't even break until mid-May, proving that even in 2026, a celebrity can still pull off a secret wedding if they’re savvy enough. Cruger eventually confirmed the vibes on her Instagram Story, posting a casual photo of the two with the caption "Mr. and Mrs. Kinney." No fuss. Just a red heart emoji and a lot of happy fans.
The Taylor Kinney Wedding: Breaking Down the Big Day
People have been obsessed with Taylor Kinney’s love life since he first suited up for Firehouse 51. Maybe it's the jawline. Maybe it's the fact that his last major engagement was to Lady Gaga. Regardless, the Taylor Kinney wedding to Ashley Cruger felt like the closing of a long, speculative chapter.
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The ceremony took place right in the heart of Chicago. This is a city Kinney has called "home" for over a decade. He’s gone on record saying the city has been good to him, and it makes sense that he’d want to say his vows in the place where he grew up as an actor.
Who is Ashley Cruger?
If you aren't a die-hard "One Chicago" fan, you might not realize you've actually seen her before. Cruger made a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo in the Season 11 premiere of Chicago Fire. She was an extra at Molly’s Pub, raising a glass with the crew. Meta, right?
- Background: She’s a 2017 journalism graduate from the University of Iowa.
- Career: She’s signed with BMG Models but also has a "real world" side, working as a business development manager.
- Interests: The couple is big on motorsports and golf. You’ll often find them at racing events in Texas or hitting the links when Kinney isn't on set.
Why the Private Ceremony Surprised Fans
For years, the public expectation for a Taylor Kinney wedding was shaped by his high-profile past. When he was with Lady Gaga, everything was "extra." Remember the 8-carat heart-shaped diamond? Or the "T <3 S" inscribed on the band? That relationship was a whirlwind of red carpets and "You and I" music video intensity.
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When that engagement ended in 2016, Kinney seemed to pivot. He became a ghost on social media. He started valuing privacy over publicity. His relationship with Cruger, which went public in March 2022 via a simple photo of her at a nail salon, was the blueprint for their wedding: quiet, intentional, and away from the cameras.
The timing was also interesting. Kinney had recently returned from a leave of absence from Chicago Fire during Season 11 to deal with a "personal matter." While fans worried he was leaving the show for good, he returned for Season 12. Marrying Cruger right after wrapping production on that season felt like a man finally finding his balance between work and his private world.
Life After the "I Do"
So, what does life look like for the Kinneys now? They aren't the type to sell their wedding photos to the highest-bidding tabloid. Instead, we get snippets. A selfie on a river rock. A video of a golf swing.
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Ashley Cruger has officially changed her name to Ashley Kinney on social media, signaling a permanent shift. For Taylor, he remains the anchor of the NBC drama, but with a new perspective. He’s a husband both on-screen (to Stella Kidd) and off-screen.
What You Can Learn from Their Approach
Most people think celebrity weddings have to be million-dollar productions to be "real." Kinney and Cruger proved that even if you're the face of a major TV franchise, you can choose a different path.
- Privacy is a choice: You don't owe the world every detail of your personal milestones.
- Location matters: Choosing Chicago—a place that meant something to both of them—added more value than a destination wedding in Italy ever could.
- Simplicity wins: Sometimes a "small, private ceremony" is more memorable than a 500-person guest list.
If you’re looking to follow Taylor’s journey or want to see the latest from the couple, your best bet is following Ashley’s social updates. Taylor’s own Instagram is famously sparse, usually reserved for his dog or his hobbies. It’s clear they are prioritizing the "real life" part of their relationship over the "publicity" part.
Stay updated on the latest Chicago Fire casting news to see how Kinney's real-life marriage might influence his on-screen performance as Severide. Often, actors bring a new level of depth to their roles once they’ve hit these major life milestones themselves.