Honestly, if you’ve ever scrolled through Instagram and seen Bowen Yang looking absolutely radiant at an awards show or a gala, your first thought was probably: "Okay, but who is he actually dating?" It’s a natural curiosity. We see him every Saturday night on SNL, we hear him every week on Las Culturistas, and he’s basically the internet’s favorite person. But when it comes to a Bowen Yang partner 2024 update, the reality is a lot less "red carpet debut" and a lot more "I’m literally too busy to sleep."
He’s single. Like, for real.
The man is everywhere. He’s playing Pfannee in the Wicked movies, starring in the reimagined The Wedding Banquet, and keeping Saturday Night Live afloat with characters like Moo Deng or a giant iceberg. With that kind of schedule, it’s not exactly shocking that his romantic life isn’t front-page news.
The Reality of Dating When You're an SNL Star
In April 2025, Bowen actually got pretty real about this with People. He basically admitted that once the SNL season kicks off, his personal life just... vanishes. He told his friends point-blank that they wouldn't see him until June. That’s a long time to go without a brunch date.
He even shared the awkward "it’s not you, it’s me" speech he has to give to guys he's gone on a few solid dates with. Basically, he has to tell them that his time just isn't his own anymore. Imagine being two dates in with the funniest guy in New York and getting the "I have to go play a literal hippo on TV now, bye" text. Tough.
What Most People Get Wrong About Bowen and Matt Rogers
We have to address the elephant in the room—or rather, the co-host in the room. If you search for "Bowen Yang partner," Matt Rogers’ name is going to pop up. They are the ultimate "work husbands." They’ve been friends since they were 19 at NYU, and they’ve built an entire media empire together.
But they aren’t a couple. Never have been.
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They’ve joked about it, of course. They even did a bit about wanting to take over the Weekend Update desk together as a duo. But their bond is purely platonic excellence. Matt has been his date to the Oscars, and they’re constantly together at events like Cannes Lions, but they’re just best friends who happen to be incredibly successful together.
That One Relationship Everyone Still Asks About
If you’re looking for his most recent "public" dating history, you have to go back to 2022. Bowen shared a story on the Couple’s Therapy podcast about a guy he met on an app. It started out great—they bonded over Glee, anime, and video games. They even spent time on Fire Island together.
But it went south fast.
The guy started "love bombing" him. He was posting selfies with captions like "magic is real" after only a few weeks. For a guy like Bowen, who is surprisingly private despite his public persona, that was a massive red flag. He felt like the guy was trying to fast-track them into being "life partners" at a "crazy clip." He eventually called it off because he realized he just wasn't emotionally open for something that intense at the time.
Why He’s Minimal on the Apps
Kinda surprisingly, Bowen has used Raya. You know, the "secret" dating app for famous people. But he told Rolling Stone he engages with it "minimally."
He’s also mentioned he’d much rather meet someone "normal." In a 2021 interview with Howard Stern, he said he has zero interest in dating another famous person. He wants someone who isn't in the industry, someone who can offer a bit of balance to his chaotic life.
Expert Take: The "Perpetually Single" Era
Bowen has used the phrase "perpetually single" to describe himself, and honestly, it’s a vibe. In a world where every celebrity feels the need to hard-launch a relationship on Instagram the second they hold hands, Bowen’s choice to keep things private—or simply non-existent—is refreshing.
He’s acknowledged that his parents, who didn't always accept his sexuality, now ask him if he’s dating anyone. That’s a huge shift from his upbringing, where he was once sent to conversion therapy. It’s a beautiful full-circle moment, even if the answer is usually "no."
Current Status Summary:
- Relationship Status: Single.
- Recent History: A brief 2022 whirlwind that ended due to "love bombing."
- The "Matt Rogers" Factor: Best friends and creative partners, nothing more.
- The Struggle: SNL’s schedule is the ultimate relationship killer.
If you’re waiting for a big announcement about a Bowen Yang partner 2024, you might be waiting a while. He’s focused on the work, the podcast, and probably just trying to find an hour to play video games.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Respect the privacy: Bowen has been very vocal about how much he values keeping his inner life secret (shoutout to his Scorpio energy).
- Listen to the pod: If he is dating someone, you’ll probably hear a cryptic, hilarious story about it on Las Culturistas long before it hits the tabloids.
- Focus on the art: With Wicked and more SNL seasons coming, there’s plenty of Bowen content to enjoy that doesn't involve his dating life.
The most important takeaway? He’s doing just fine on his own. He’s built a life full of incredible friends, a massive career, and the kind of creative freedom most people dream of. A partner would just be the cherry on top, but the sundae is already pretty great.