Who Are Matt Rife and Lucy Hale?
When news broke about Matt Rife and Lucy Hale’s brief romance, it caught many fans off guard. Here were two stars from completely different worlds – one a rising TikTok comedian, the other a seasoned television actress. Yet somehow, their paths crossed in early 2023, creating one of Hollywood’s more unexpected pairings.
Matt Rife’s journey to stardom wasn’t exactly conventional. The Ohio native started cracking jokes on stage when most kids his age were worried about homework. At just 15, he was already performing stand-up comedy in Columbus clubs. Fast forward a few years, and he became the youngest cast member ever on MTV’s Wild ‘N Out. But it was TikTok that really changed everything for him.
His crowd work videos went viral in ways nobody could have predicted. Suddenly, this guy who’d been grinding in comedy clubs for years had over 13 million followers hanging on his every word. The Hollywood Bowl? Sold out. His ProbleMATTic World Tour? Tickets gone in minutes.
Lucy Hale’s story is different but equally impressive. Born in Memphis, she got her first taste of fame on American Juniors back in 2003. She was just a teenager with big dreams and an even bigger voice. But it was her role as Aria Montgomery on Pretty Little Liars that really put her on the map.
For seven seasons, fans watched her navigate the mysteries of Rosewood. Since then, she’s proven her range with roles in everything from horror films like Scream 4 to more recent projects like Fantasy Island. At 35, she’s built the kind of steady career that many actors can only dream of.
The Entertainment Industry Connection
Anyone who’s spent time in Los Angeles knows how small the entertainment world really is. You might think comedians and TV actresses move in completely different circles, but that’s not always the case. Industry parties, mutual friends, shared agents – there are countless ways paths can cross.
Both Matt and Lucy had been working the LA scene for years before 2023. As Matt’s star rose, he started getting invited to more high-profile events. Lucy, meanwhile, had been a fixture at industry gatherings for over a decade. It was probably only a matter of time before they ended up in the same room.
The exact details of how they met remain private, which honestly isn’t surprising. Both have learned to keep certain aspects of their lives away from prying eyes. What we do know is that by early 2023, something had sparked between them.
Matt Rife Lucy Hale 2023 Romance Timeline
Page Six broke the story, as they often do with celebrity relationships. According to their sources, Matt Rife and Lucy Hale had what they called a “brief fling” in early 2023. The wording was telling – not a relationship, not dating, but a fling. It suggested something casual, maybe even experimental.
Neither Matt nor Lucy confirmed the relationship publicly. There were no Instagram posts, no red carpet appearances, no paparazzi shots of them holding hands. In today’s social media-obsessed world, their discretion was almost refreshing.
The timeline was short. Reports suggest the fling lasted only a few weeks, maybe a couple of months at most. By the time summer rolled around, it was over. Matt had moved on to dating Jessica Lord, the British actress from Find Me in Paris.
Looking back, their brief connection feels like one of those Hollywood moments that happens more often than people realize. Two attractive, successful people meet, there’s chemistry, they explore it, and then life gets in the way.
Why Matt Rife and Lucy Hale’s Relationship Ended
Matt Rife has been surprisingly open about his struggles with dating, which gives us some insight into why things with Lucy didn’t work out. In a 2023 interview with GQ, he admitted something that probably resonates with a lot of people in demanding careers: “I kind of hate dating.”
It wasn’t that he didn’t want love or companionship. In fact, he was pretty clear about wanting “a wife and a family and a prominent home life.” The problem was logistics. When you’re touring six days a week, 52 weeks out of the year, maintaining any kind of relationship becomes nearly impossible.
“I do meet women who are fantastic human beings,” he explained, “but I might not be in a position right now to fulfill your needs as a responsible boyfriend.” It’s a brutally honest assessment that probably applied to his situation with Lucy.
Lucy, for her part, has her own demanding schedule. Acting projects, promotional tours, personal appearances – her calendar is just as packed as Matt’s. Two people with careers that require constant travel and attention? The math just doesn’t work out most of the time.
There’s no indication that their split was dramatic or messy. No angry social media posts, no cryptic song lyrics, no friends leaking details to gossip sites. It seems like they both recognized the reality of their situations and moved on like adults.
Matt Rife’s Dating Pattern with Famous Women
If you look at Matt Rife’s dating history, a pattern emerges. He tends to connect with women who are already established in the entertainment industry. Before Lucy, there was Kate Beckinsale – a relationship that made headlines primarily because of their age difference. He was 21, she was 43.
That relationship taught him some hard lessons about dating in the public eye. When Pete Davidson started dating Kate after him, Matt famously told TMZ that his advice would be to “run.” He later apologized for the comment, calling himself a “petty a-hole,” but it showed how complicated these high-profile relationships can be.
After Lucy, he dated Jessica Lord for about nine months. That relationship seemed more serious – he talked about her publicly, they made red carpet appearances together. But even that ended, reportedly due to the same issues that plague all his relationships: his impossible schedule.
Recently, there were rumors about him reconnecting with Kate Beckinsale at a Golden Globes afterparty. Witnesses claimed they were being “affectionate,” but Kate’s rep quickly shut down speculation, saying they’re just “friendly exes.”
Lucy Hale’s Love Life After Matt Rife
Lucy Hale has always been more private about her personal life than many of her contemporaries. Even during her Pretty Little Liars days, when every detail of the cast’s lives was scrutinized, she managed to keep her relationships relatively low-key.
After her brief time with Matt, she’s been linked to a few other people. Harry Jowsey from Too Hot to Handle was one rumored connection. There were also whispers about something with Skeet Ulrich, her former co-star. But Lucy has never confirmed any of these relationships.
At 35, she seems focused on her career and personal growth rather than finding her next relationship. She’s spoken before about the challenges of dating as a public figure, and it’s clear she’s learned to prioritize her own well-being over public expectations about her love life.
Her approach is refreshing in an industry where personal relationships often become public spectacles. She’s managed to maintain her privacy while still being open with fans about other aspects of her life.
Where Matt Rife and Lucy Hale Stand Today
Fast forward to 2025, and both Matt and Lucy seem to be thriving in their respective careers. Matt’s comedy shows continue to sell out worldwide, and he’s become one of the most recognizable faces in stand-up comedy. Lucy remains a sought-after actress with several projects in development.
There’s no indication of any bad blood between them. In Hollywood, where breakups often turn into public feuds, their mature handling of their brief connection stands out. They’ve both moved on without drama, which speaks well of both of their characters.
Their 2023 fling serves as a reminder that not every celebrity relationship needs to be a grand romance or a messy breakup. Sometimes, two people meet, realize they’re not compatible long-term, and part ways amicably. In a town known for its dramatic love stories, there’s something almost revolutionary about that kind of maturity.
For fans who were hoping for a fairy-tale ending, the Matt Rife Lucy Hale story might be disappointing. But for anyone who’s ever tried to balance a demanding career with personal relationships, their brief connection – and its practical ending – probably feels pretty relatable.
