Honestly, it feels like every time we open TikTok or refresh Instagram, there's another "soft launch" or a cryptic lyric that has everyone scrambling to figure out who is Emma Chamberlain dating. For years, we’ve followed her through the 2024 Paris Olympics sightings and those matching Wallace & Gromit Halloween costumes. But as of January 2026, the answer is actually a lot simpler and maybe a little more surprising than another indie musician reveal.
Emma is single.
In late 2025, she finally pulled back the curtain on her relationship with musician Peter McPoland, and it wasn't the "happily ever after" fans were expecting. During a November 13 episode of her podcast, Anything Goes, titled "Embracing being single," Emma dropped the news that she and Peter had called it quits. It wasn't some dramatic, plate-smashing blowout, either. She described it as an amicable ending to a "serious relationship" that lasted two years. Basically, they just grew apart, which happens to the best of us.
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The Peter McPoland Era and why it ended
The timeline with Peter was actually pretty long, even if they were super private about it. They were first spotted together back in May 2024. Then came the Olympics in July, where they were seen with her dad, Michael Chamberlain. By the time they did the matching Halloween costumes later that year, everyone just assumed they were the new "it" couple.
But behind the scenes, things were shifting.
Emma admitted on the podcast that they "really deeply loved each other," but the breakup was mutual. She’s been very open about her tendency to jump from one relationship to the next. In fact, she’s spent most of her adult life—from her late teens to now at 24—in long-term relationships. Whether it was the long-rumored (but never fully confirmed) days with Ethan Dolan or the high-profile three-year run with Role Model (Tucker Pillsbury), Emma has rarely been truly on her own.
Why the "Single for a Year" goal matters
This time, she’s doing things differently. Emma explicitly told her listeners that she wants to be single for at least a year.
She's talked about how she used to look for the "next boyfriend" almost immediately after a split to avoid the discomfort of being alone. It’s a habit she recognized after some serious self-reflection. "I understand why I used to do that," she shared, "and I understand why I can't do that again." She even poked fun at her "pattern" of dating musicians during a recent guest spot on Owen Thiele’s In Your Dreams podcast, quoting Sabrina Carpenter: "I swear they choose me. I’m not choosing them."
You've probably seen the rumors flying around after she posted an Instagram photo in December 2025 featuring two shadows. Fans immediately went into detective mode. "Is it Tucker? Is it a new guy?"
Nope.
Emma shut that down fast. It was just her dad.
What's next for Emma?
For now, her "dating life" involves winter getaways in upstate New York with friends like Sabrina Carpenter and focusing on her business empire. She’s leaning into the discomfort of singlehood because she wants to make sure her next relationship is about wanting a partner, not just needing the convenience of one.
If you're looking for actionable ways to follow Emma's lead on self-reflection after a breakup, here is what you should focus on:
- Audit your "rebound" patterns: Look back at your last few relationships. Did you give yourself at least six months to breathe between them? If not, you might be dating to fill a void rather than finding the right fit.
- Embrace the "Boredom": Emma has mentioned that being single feels "daunting." Use that quiet time to rediscover hobbies that aren't influenced by a partner's taste in music or film.
- Set a specific "Single Goal": Like Emma's one-year rule, give yourself a non-negotiable timeframe where you don't pursue anything serious. It takes the pressure off "finding the one" and lets you focus on your own growth.
- Listen to the "Embracing being single" episode: If you’re going through a split, hearing her talk through the nuance of an amicable breakup is actually super helpful for getting closure without the drama.
She’s making it clear that a relationship can enhance her life, but it doesn't define it. And honestly? That's the most relatable thing she's said in years.