Hollywood loves a "wait, they're together?" moment, but nobody saw the Cheryl Blossom and "Rack City" crossover coming. If you’ve been scrolling through social media lately wondering who is Madelaine Petsch dating, the answer is actually a lot more rock-and-roll (and rap-heavy) than her Riverdale character's gothic romance.
Honestly, when the first photos of Madelaine Petsch and Tyga surfaced at a Lakers game in early 2025, most people just assumed they were in the same VIP section by accident. But as of January 2026, the two are not only still a thing, but they've recently been spotted out in West Hollywood looking very much like a settled couple, effectively shutting down those nagging breakup rumors that usually plague two stars from such different worlds.
The Unexpected Pivot to Tyga
Basically, the timeline of this relationship is a masterclass in the "friend-to-lovers" trope. It wasn't some flashy Tinder match. According to insiders close to the couple, the Riverdale star and the 36-year-old rapper were actually friends for a good while before things got spicy. They reportedly met in late 2024—around Tyga's birthday in November—and spent months just hanging out in the same circles.
The "hard launch" didn't happen overnight. Instead, we got a series of increasingly cozy sightings:
- February 2025: Sitting courtside at the Lakers vs. Hornets game.
- Late February 2025: Leaving the Vanity Fair "Young Hollywood" party at Chateau Marmont arm-in-arm.
- April 2025: The definitive Coachella "hard launch" where Madelaine posted them cuddling on her Instagram.
It’s been a whirlwind. For a girl who usually keeps her private life behind a pretty thick curtain, seeing her leaning on Tyga after he lost his mother, Pasionaye Nguyen, early last year showed a deeper side to the relationship that wasn't just for the cameras.
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Why Everyone Is So Confused
You’ve gotta admit, the vibe check is a bit off. Madelaine is this vegan, high-fashion, classically trained actress who spent years playing a fire-breathing redhead on The CW. Tyga is... well, he's Tyga. He’s the guy who dated Kylie Jenner for years and was recently linked to Avril Lavigne.
Kinda feels like two different universes colliding, right?
But that's exactly why it seems to work. While fans on Reddit and TikTok were busy calling it a "glitch in the matrix," the pair has been quietly navigating the transition from Riverdale stardom to Madelaine's new era in horror films like The Strangers: Chapter 3.
What Happened to Anthony Li?
Before Tyga entered the picture, Madelaine was in a very long-term, very low-key relationship with Anthony Li, who manages the singer Halsey. That one was a slow burn too. They knew each other for over ten years before they ever started dating in 2022.
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Madelaine even joked on TikTok about how she finally let him out of the "friend zone." They were super cute—he even staged a fake version of The Amazing Race for her 29th birthday because he knew she was a superfan. But like many Hollywood romances, the spark seemingly fizzled out late in 2024. Neither of them ever released a dramatic "we've split" statement. They just stopped appearing on each other's feeds, and suddenly, Tyga was the one holding the car door open.
Are They Still Together in 2026?
Speculation is a beast. In late 2025, there was a huge wave of rumors that Madelaine and Tyga had called it quits because they hadn't been photographed together in a few months. When you're a high-profile couple, a 90-day absence from the paparazzi usually means the lawyers are drafting the "we've decided to remain friends" post.
Except, they pulled a fast one. On January 9, 2026, the couple was spotted leaving The Bird Streets Club in West Hollywood. They weren't exactly putting on a show for the cameras—walking separately to the car—but they drove off together with Tyga behind the wheel. It seems they've moved into that "private but not secret" phase of a relationship where they don't feel the need to perform for the internet every weekend.
The "Riverdale" Dating History
To really understand who is Madelaine Petsch dating and why it matters, you have to look at her track record. She doesn't really do "flings."
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- Travis Mills (2017–2020): This was her most public relationship. They had a YouTube channel together, they were at every red carpet, and when they broke up, it genuinely gutted the fan base. Travis wrote a massive, emotional Instagram post about it that still lives in the hall of fame of celebrity breakups.
- Anthony Li (2022–2024): The quiet era. This was about stability and long-term friendship.
- Tyga (2025–Present): The "unpredictable" era. It’s edgier, it’s more public in a different way, and it’s clearly making her happy.
What’s Next for the Couple?
Madelaine is currently gearing up for the release of The Strangers: Chapter 3 in February 2026. This is a massive moment for her career as she cements herself as a "Scream Queen." Having a partner who understands the grind of the industry—even if he’s in the music world—is probably a huge plus.
For those looking for clues on their status, keep an eye on the upcoming fashion month. Madelaine is a staple at the Paris and Milan shows. If Tyga shows up on her arm at a Valentino or Givenchy show, you’ll know they’re in it for the long haul.
If you’re following Madelaine’s journey, the best thing to do is watch her YouTube vlogs. While she rarely puts her boyfriends front and center anymore (she learned that lesson with Travis), the "vibe" of her videos usually tells you everything you need to know about her headspace. Right now? She seems more confident than ever.
Check her recent Instagram posts for any subtle "soft launches" of Tyga in the background of her travel carousels. It’s the classic way she keeps fans guessing while staying true to her "private life" boundaries.