You probably know Vanessa Morgan as the powerhouse Toni Topaz on Riverdale, or maybe you've been following her recent, much-celebrated engagement to basketball player James Karnik. But if you dig back into the archives of Canadian celebrity lore, there’s a specific chapter that people still whisper about in the dark corners of Reddit and hockey forums. It involves a very young Vanessa Morgan and a rising NHL superstar named Nathan MacKinnon.
Honestly, it feels like a lifetime ago.
Before the high-profile marriages, the babies, and the Stanley Cup rings, these two were the "it" couple of the Great White North. But unlike the glossy, PR-managed relationships we see today, the Vanessa Morgan and Nathan MacKinnon era ended with a level of digital pettiness that remains legendary.
How Vanessa Morgan and Nathan MacKinnon Actually Started
The year was 2014. Nathan MacKinnon was the "Next One," the first overall pick for the Colorado Avalanche who was basically carrying the weight of a franchise on his broad shoulders. Vanessa was already a veteran of the screen, having starred in My Babysitter's a Vampire and Finding Carter.
They were both Canadian, both young, and both incredibly successful in their respective lanes.
At first, it was cute. They showed up on each other's Instagram feeds—back when Instagram felt like a digital scrapbook rather than a curated museum. They dressed up together for Halloween (Nathan once went as a very convincing Clark Kent/Superman), and she was a fixture at his games. It was the classic "Actress meets Athlete" trope that usually results in a quiet wedding or a quiet breakup.
Instead, we got the "unlick" heard 'round the world.
The Breakup That Blocked the Internet
Most celebrity splits happen via a coordinated Notes app statement about "mutual respect" and "privacy." That’s not how it went down here. When things ended between Vanessa Morgan and Nathan MacKinnon around 2015 or 2016, the fallout was messy, loud, and weirdly hilarious.
The smoking gun? A meme posted to Vanessa’s dog’s Instagram account. Yes, you read that right.
💡 You might also like: What Really Happened With Gina Martin Wilson: Did She Ever Remarry?
Shortly after the breakup rumors started swirling, a post appeared featuring a sloth whispering into an ear. The caption was a scorched-earth masterpiece: “You can delete me on Facebook and block me on Instagram, but you can never unlick my [expletive].” It was the ultimate "mic drop" of the mid-2010s. It told the world everything they needed to know without a single official statement. Nathan had apparently gone the route of the digital block, and Vanessa wasn't about to let him leave without a parting shot.
Moving On: Two Very Different Paths
Since that chaotic ending, their lives have diverged so sharply it’s hard to believe they were ever in the same orbit.
Nathan MacKinnon took the path of extreme privacy. He’s been in a long-term, low-key relationship with Charlotte Walker since roughly 2016. They rarely post photos together. He focuses on winning Cups and being one of the most disciplined athletes in the world. He’s the guy who famously won’t even let his teammates eat white flour.
Vanessa Morgan, on the other hand, lived her life in the spotlight, for better or worse.
- She joined Riverdale and became a massive star.
- She married MLB pitcher Michael Kopech in a gorgeous 2020 wedding.
- Kopech filed for divorce just months later, while she was pregnant with their son, River.
- She navigated that heartbreak with a lot of grace, eventually finding love again with James Karnik.
It’s interesting to look at the comments on James Karnik’s recent proposal to Vanessa. People are genuinely happy for her. After the public drama with Nathan and the blindsiding divorce from Kopech, fans feel like she’s finally landed where she belongs.
The Vanessa Morgan and Nathan MacKinnon Legacy
Why do we still care? Probably because it was one of the last times we saw a major celebrity breakup play out with zero filter.
In the current landscape of 2026, every move is calculated. In 2015, Vanessa was just a girl with a dog account and a point to prove.
What This Tells Us About Celebrity Relationships
There's a lesson here about the "public" part of public figures. Nathan learned to go underground. He realized that the more people know, the more they can dissect. Vanessa learned that she can survive the mess and come out the other side with a family she loves.
If you’re looking for a takeaway from the Vanessa Morgan and Nathan MacKinnon saga, it’s this:
- Digital footprints are forever. That sloth meme is still being talked about ten years later.
- Growth is real. The Nathan MacKinnon of today is a stoic leader; the Vanessa Morgan of today is a mother of two and a soon-to-be bride.
- Privacy is a choice. You can be a superstar and still keep your circle small.
If you want to keep up with Vanessa's new chapter, her Instagram is currently a masterclass in "living your best life." For Nathan? Just check the NHL standings. He’s usually at the top.
👉 See also: Casie Colson Baker Age: What Everyone Gets Wrong About MGK’s Daughter
Next Steps for Fans:
If you want to dive deeper into the current lives of these stars, you can check out Vanessa Morgan's latest projects on the CW or follow the Colorado Avalanche's pursuit of another title. Just don't expect them to follow each other on Instagram anytime soon.