Mckenna Grace and Mason Thames: Unpacking the ‘Regretting You’ Showmance and Real-Life Romance Rumors

The undeniable chemistry between Mckenna Grace and Mason Thames in Colleen Hoover’s Regretting You has captivated audiences, but their playful off-screen interactions—from viral TikTok kisses to public hand-holding—have ignited a fervent debate among fans: Is their showmance becoming a real-life romance? Join us as we meticulously break down every public appearance, every quote, and every viral moment that fuels this intriguing Hollywood mystery.

The on-screen chemistry shared by McKenna Grace and Mason Thames, who portray high school sweethearts Clara and Miller in the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel Regretting You, has sparked widespread speculation about a potential real-life romance. From their first meeting to numerous public outings and social media posts, fans have been closely following every development, wondering if their cinematic love story has blossomed into something more.

The duo, both celebrated former child actors, began fueling dating rumors shortly after they started working together. Their interactions, both on and off set, quickly became a focal point for media and fans alike, setting the stage for what many are calling Hollywood’s latest showmance.

The Genesis of a Showmance: Immediate Connection and Shared Screens

The journey of McKenna Grace and Mason Thames’ rumored romance began even before cameras rolled for Regretting You. In September 2024, the casting announcement confirmed they would be playing the romantic leads, Clara and Miller, alongside stars like Dave Franco and Allison Williams. Their first public appearance together followed soon after, at Netflix’s Incoming House Party event in August 2024, further piquing interest among their respective fan bases.

Their first meeting was pure serendipity. As Mason Thames recounted to People in October 2025, they unexpectedly met in an Uber while heading to see Deadpool & Wolverine. Thames described the encounter as “so funny and so awesome,” emphasizing that they “clicked immediately” and began “hanging out all the time” thereafter. This immediate connection proved invaluable for their on-screen roles, making their chemistry in Regretting You feel genuinely effortless.

Improvised Kisses and Viral TikTok Sparks

Filming for Regretting You commenced in March 2025, and it wasn’t long before their playful interactions began to capture attention. Mason Thames and McKenna Grace, portraying passionate high schoolers Clara and Miller, even took creative liberties during filming, improvising “a lot of kisses” that “didn’t always make it” into the final cut, as they revealed to People. Thames fondly recalled a scene where his character asked Grace’s character to prom, leading them to seal the moment with a kiss in nearly every take.

The romance rumors truly ignited in April 2025 when Grace posted a viral TikTok video. In the clip, the costars, dressed in character, recreated a famous elevator scene from 500 Days of Summer, ending with Thames grabbing Grace’s face and kissing her just out of frame. Grace playfully captioned it “Miller & Clara 🔓,” hinting at their characters, but the internet exploded with speculation. Thames later told Seventeen in June that the TikTok was Grace’s idea and “really funny,” while Grace clarified on Today with Jenna and Friends that they “were in costume and in character there.”

In May 2025, Grace further fueled the fire with an Instagram carousel featuring candid photos of herself and Thames. Leading up to the Regretting You release on October 24, she continued posting TikToks showcasing them in various affectionate moments, including Thames carrying her at an event, them holding hands on a red carpet, and him lifting her up on his shoulders.

Off-Screen Moments: Hand-Holding and Shared Adventures

After filming for Regretting You concluded, McKenna Grace and Mason Thames were frequently spotted together. A significant moment that amplified dating rumors occurred in June 2025, when the costars were photographed holding hands while strolling through the SoHo neighborhood of New York City. Both were smiling and appeared at ease, Grace in a little black dress and Thames in a matching all-black outfit with a green and black striped jacket, captured by The Stewart of NY / GC Images.

Thames further elaborated on their continued closeness in a June 2025 interview with Seventeen, stating they “hang out, like, all the time.” He shared a charming anecdote about visiting an aquarium with Grace, noting her unique “aquarium playlist” they listened to together.

Their bond extended to personal celebrations as well. When Mason Thames turned 18 in July 2025, McKenna Grace was by his side. Thames told People in August 2025 that Grace joined him for his “birthday week” at his home in Texas, where she was also raised. He praised her ability to “gel with everybody” due to her “funny and such a nice person” demeanor, indicating she had already integrated well with his family and friends.

Mutual Admiration: Praises and “Favorite Person” Status

Despite the ambiguity surrounding their romantic status, McKenna Grace and Mason Thames have consistently expressed profound admiration for each other, both professionally and personally. Thames has been particularly vocal about Grace’s talent and work ethic. In August 2025, he told People that Grace is “such a star and she’s such a warrior,” adding, “I’ve never met somebody with a work ethic like hers.” He further elaborated to Seventeen that she is “one of the most driven people I’ve ever met in my life” and an “incredible actress” who motivates him daily.

Grace, while more guarded about their potential romance, has also shown immense affection for Thames. During an appearance on Today with Jenna and Friends in October 2025, she called him her “favorite person.” She humorously added that she makes him visit aquariums or zoos in every city they travel to together, highlighting their close friendship and shared activities.

A Shared Future On-Screen: Beyond ‘Regretting You’

Further solidifying their bond, McKenna Grace and Mason Thames filmed another project, New Year’s Rev, back-to-back with Regretting You. This music comedy, produced by Green Day, follows three teenage rockers on a road trip. The stars discovered their dual casting serendipitously.

Thames recalled to People how he initially messaged Grace about being excited to work on Regretting You, only for her to respond with excitement about the Green Day movie. It was then they realized they were cast in two films together. Grace reflected that knowing about both roles months in advance allowed them “all of that time to just hang out and mess around and just be stupid,” further deepening their bond.

Fan Theories and the Lingering Question

The consistent public appearances, affectionate social media posts, and mutual praise between McKenna Grace and Mason Thames have created a compelling narrative for fans. While both actors have remained tight-lipped about explicitly confirming a romantic relationship, their actions certainly suggest a very close and special connection.

The “showmance” surrounding Regretting You has undoubtedly added a layer of intrigue to the film’s promotion, making fans even more invested in the personal lives of Clara and Miller’s real-life counterparts. As they continue to support each other professionally and enjoy time together personally, the question of whether their on-screen love has truly translated off-screen remains a fascinating mystery in Hollywood.