Honestly, trying to keep up with celebrity romances usually feels like a full-time job. But when it comes to the question of who is minka kelly dating, the answer has actually stayed remarkably consistent for a while now. Even though she’s famous for being pretty private, Minka Kelly is still very much with Dan Reynolds, the frontman of Imagine Dragons.
They’ve been a thing since late 2022. It’s not just some fleeting Hollywood fling, either. If you saw them sharing that emotional goodbye kiss at the airport just a few weeks ago in early January 2026, you'd know they are still going strong. They basically look like the poster couple for "finding love after a long road of high-profile breakups."
How Minka and Dan Actually Met
You might think two people this famous met at some glitzy Oscars after-party or on a red carpet. Nope. It was actually way more low-key than that. A mutual friend set them up back in 2022, but there was a catch—Minka was across the ocean in the UK for work.
They didn't even see each other in person for the first month. Instead, they did the digital version of old-school courting. They spent weeks on FaceTime and texting. Dan eventually told People that they bonded by sharing their most vulnerable work. He sent her unfinished songs from the Imagine Dragons album Loom, and she actually let him read drafts of her memoir, Tell Me Everything, before it even hit shelves.
"You'll either be terrified and run for the hills, or you'll see the beauty in all of it," Minka told him before he read it.
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Luckily for her, he chose the beauty. By the time they finally had their first real date at Cafe Stella in Los Angeles—a dinner that reportedly lasted five hours—they already knew each other's deepest secrets. Talk about skipping the small talk.
The Ransom Canyon Connection
If you've been watching Minka on her Netflix Western drama Ransom Canyon, you might have spotted a familiar face. Dan actually made a cameo in the series in 2025.
Apparently, he wasn't even supposed to be in it. He was just visiting her on set, but the producers and writers liked him so much they basically forced him into a scene. Minka joked during an interview that "it's easy to love Dan," and clearly, the crew agreed.
Beyond just guest-starring, Dan has been her biggest cheerleader behind the scenes. When she had to play piano for a role, he was the one sitting with her, translating the music and showing her where to put her hands. It’s those little "normal" couple things that seem to be keeping them grounded while they both navigate massive careers.
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Why This Relationship Feels Different
Minka’s dating history is, well, legendary. We’re talking Derek Jeter for three years, an on-again-off-again saga with Chris Evans, and that serious two-year stint with Trevor Noah. But this vibe with Dan feels a bit more "endgame."
For one, Dan has four kids from his previous marriage to Aja Volkman. Stepping into a "bonus mom" role is a huge deal, and Dan has been vocal about how sensitive and careful Minka has been with his children. In a 2024 interview, he mentioned his kids "really love Minka," which is usually the ultimate litmus test for any serious relationship.
Then there was that heartfelt Instagram post Minka shared for Dan’s birthday last July. She wrote about how he’s healed "wounds in me he did not inflict." That’s deep. It sounds less like a tabloid romance and more like two people who have done a lot of therapy and finally found someone who fits.
A Timeline of Their Major Moments
- November 2022: First spotted together at that marathon dinner in Silver Lake.
- February 2024: They were seen cozying up at Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas.
- April 2025: Dan makes his appearance on Ransom Canyon.
- November 2025: Minka gushes about him on The Drew Barrymore Show (after expertly dodging the question on Today just a day earlier).
- January 2026: Photographed looking very much in love during a New Year's outing in LA.
Dealing with the Spotlight
It hasn't all been easy. Minka still gets annoyed when interviewers try to pry too much. Just this past November, things got a bit awkward on the Today show when Jenna Bush Hager tried to pivot from a movie promotion to Minka's love life. Minka shut it down pretty quickly. She’s clearly over the "WAG" or "famous girlfriend" label. She wants to be known for her work in Champagne Problems and her writing, not just who is on her arm.
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Still, they aren't hiding. Whether they are at Disneyland or a UFC fight, they seem comfortable being seen. They just want to do it on their own terms.
What’s Next for the Couple?
There have been a few rumors swirling recently that the pair might be looking to expand their family or settle down more permanently. While they haven't confirmed an engagement, Minka did recently sell her longtime Laurel Canyon bungalow. Moving on from a home you’ve had for years usually signals a big life shift.
If you’re looking to follow their journey more closely, keep an eye on Minka's Instagram—though she usually only posts photos of the back of his head. For a more direct look at their dynamic, rewatching the first season of Ransom Canyon is your best bet to see that on-screen chemistry.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check out Minka's memoir Tell Me Everything to understand the history she shared with Dan early on.
- Stream Ransom Canyon on Netflix to spot Dan’s cameo.
- Listen to the Imagine Dragons album Loom, which features lyrics influenced by their early long-distance conversations.