So, you’re wondering who Haley Lu Richardson is dating right now. Honestly, you aren’t alone. Ever since she stole every scene in The White Lotus as the chronically stressed Portia, fans have been digging into her personal life.
She’s private. Like, really private.
The truth about the Haley Lu Richardson boyfriend situation is actually a bit of a heartbreaker, mostly because it involves a breakup that she kept secret for two entire years. If you’re looking for a name to drop at dinner tonight, the short answer is: as of 2026, Haley Lu Richardson is officially single. Or at least, she hasn't gone public with anyone new.
But to understand why her relationship status is such a huge topic, you have to look at the guy who was in the picture for almost a decade.
The Long Road with Brett Dier
For the longest time, "Haley Lu Richardson boyfriend" meant one person: Brett Dier.
You probably know him from Jane the Virgin. He played Michael, the guy who—spoilers—died and then came back to life with amnesia. Their real-life romance was way less soap opera and way more "goofy best friends." They met back in 2012 on the set of the short-lived Pretty Little Liars spin-off, Ravenswood.
They were together for ages. Seven years, to be exact, before things got serious.
The Proposal That Wasn't a Proposal
Haley is the one who popped the question. She didn't have a ring. She didn't have a plan. Basically, they were sitting at a strip mall eating pizza.
She described it on Busy Tonight as this total gut-feeling moment. She just looked at him and asked him to marry her. Since they didn't have actual jewelry, they went to a nearby bush, snapped off some twigs, and tied them around their fingers. It was peak Haley Lu—unconventional, slightly weird, and very sincere.
They were engaged for a while, but they never actually made it down the aisle.
The Secret Breakup Everyone Missed
In November 2022, Haley dropped a bombshell on Instagram. She posted a photo of her and Brett giving a thumbs up, looking perfectly fine. The caption? They had actually split up two years prior.
Think about that. While the world was watching her in The White Lotus or Five Feet Apart, she was already navigating life as a single woman, and nobody had a clue.
"We shared a deeply special chunk of our lives together," she wrote. She explained that she wanted the time to heal and grow without the "internet knowing." Honestly, can you blame her? Breaking up is hard enough without thousands of strangers asking "where's the ring?" in your comments every time you post a selfie.
Why Did They Split?
Neither of them has ever trashed the other. In fact, when they finally announced the split, Brett posted his own message saying he was "happy and so thankful" for their time together.
It seems like a classic case of growing up and growing apart. They started dating when she was barely 18. By the time they called it quits, she was in her mid-twenties and her career was exploding.
Who Is She Dating Now?
Since the Brett Dier era ended, Haley has been linked to a few people by the rumor mill, but nothing has stuck.
- Ben Hardy: After they starred together in the Netflix rom-com Love at First Sight, people naturally assumed they were a thing. They had great chemistry. But it seems it was just "work chemistry."
- The Jonas Brothers: Okay, she isn't dating them, but she is a superfan. Her appearance in their "Wings" music video fueled some fun internet chatter, but she’s just a "Joe Girl" at heart, not his girlfriend.
She told People magazine in late 2023 that she would "love to share my life with someone" but she's looking for someone who makes her feel safe and supported. She isn't in a rush.
💡 You might also like: Who is Halle Berry’s Parents? The Truth About Her Family History
What This Means for Her Fans
The biggest takeaway here is that Haley Lu Richardson isn't your typical Hollywood starlet who jumps from one high-profile relationship to another. She values her peace.
If you see headlines claiming a new Haley Lu Richardson boyfriend has been spotted, take them with a grain of salt unless you see her post it herself. She’s proven she can keep a secret for years if she wants to.
How to Follow the News Safely
If you want to stay updated on her status without falling for clickbait, here are a few tips:
- Check her Instagram Stories: That’s where she historically shares her big personal news.
- Look for "No Comment" reports: Usually, if she’s dating someone, she’ll simply decline to talk about it rather than lie.
- Ignore the "Cast Dating" rumors: She’s friendly with her co-stars, but don't assume a red carpet photo means a wedding is coming.
Right now, Haley seems more focused on her craft and her own self-growth than finding a replacement for what she had with Brett. And honestly? Good for her.
Moving Forward
Watching a long-term relationship end is tough, especially when it’s one fans were rooting for. But Haley Lu Richardson has handled her single era with a lot of grace. She’s shown that you can be "doing pretty well" even after a major life shift.
Keep an eye on her upcoming projects like the Netflix Agatha Christie mystery. Usually, when her career gets this busy, her personal life stays on the back burner. For now, the most important person in Haley’s life appears to be Haley herself.