Taylor Zakhar Perez has captured hearts worldwide through his compelling performances in Netflix’s The Kissing Booth franchise and Amazon Prime’s Red, White & Royal Blue. The 33-year-old actor, born on December 24, 1991, in Chicago, has become one of Hollywood’s most sought-after romantic leads. Despite his on-screen chemistry with various co-stars and his growing popularity, Perez maintains an incredibly private personal life, leaving fans constantly speculating about his relationship status.
The Mexican-American actor’s breakout role as Marco Valentin Peña in The Kissing Booth 2 launched him into the spotlight in 2020. His portrayal of the charming transfer student who becomes a love interest for Joey King’s character, Elle, made him an instant heartthrob. More recently, his starring role as Alex Claremont-Diaz in Red, White & Royal Blue opposite Nicholas Galitzine has further solidified his status as a leading man in romantic comedies.
With his diverse ancestry spanning Mexican, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Croatian, and Hungarian heritage, Perez brings a unique appeal to his roles. His athletic background as a nationally ranked swimmer and his musical theater training have contributed to his versatility as a performer. However, despite his professional success and public visibility, the actor has managed to keep his romantic life largely out of the public eye, making his dating status one of Hollywood’s most intriguing mysteries.
Current Relationship Status: Single and Private
As of June 2025, Taylor Zakhar Perez appears to be single. The actor has consistently maintained privacy regarding his personal relationships, rarely discussing his dating life in interviews or on social media. In a 2020 interview with Glamour, Perez explicitly stated that he wasn’t dating anyone at the time. This pattern of privacy has continued throughout his rising career, with no confirmed public relationships emerging since his breakthrough role.
Recent reports from February 2025 continue to describe Perez’s relationship status as unknown, emphasizing his notably private nature when it comes to personal matters. Unlike many celebrities who share glimpses of their romantic lives on social media, Perez’s Instagram focuses primarily on his professional work, fitness activities, and friendships rather than romantic relationships.
The actor’s commitment to privacy extends beyond mere discretion – it appears to be a deliberate choice to separate his personal life from his public persona. This approach has only intensified public curiosity about his romantic status, with fans and media outlets continuously speculating about potential relationships based on his interactions with co-stars and friends.
The Joey King Romance Rumors
One of the most persistent rumors surrounding Taylor Zakhar Perez’s love life involves his Kissing Booth co-star Joey King. The speculation began after Perez posted an incredibly heartfelt tribute to King for her 21st birthday on Instagram. In the post, he wrote about how King welcomed him into the Kissing Booth family, supported him, and inspired him to become a better actor.
The birthday tribute, combined with photos of the pair taking vacations together, fueled widespread speculation about a romantic relationship. However, Perez has consistently denied these rumors in multiple interviews. During an appearance on The Chicks in the Office podcast, he clarified their relationship status, stating that Joey King and he are not dating, though he loves her dearly and they might take trips together.
Perez further explained their bond during the same podcast appearance, describing how they were quarantine buddies who lived five minutes away from each other. He emphasized that they know what their relationship is and love each other dearly. He even humorously added that while he would love to be dating Joey King because she’s amazing, their relationship remains purely platonic.
The friendship between Perez and King has endured beyond their Kissing Booth days. King, who married producer and director Steven Piet in 2023, has continued to support Perez’s career, with the pair attending industry events together as friends. Their enduring friendship demonstrates that not all close relationships between co-stars need to be romantic, despite public speculation.
Other Dating Rumors and Speculations
Beyond Joey King, Taylor Zakhar Perez has been linked to several other co-stars and industry figures, though none of these rumors have been substantiated. One notable speculation involved Maisie Richardson-Sellers, who played Chloe Winthrop in The Kissing Booth 2. The rumors began when Perez shared a photo with Richardson-Sellers captioned “My Cherie Amour,” which translates to “my dear love” in French.
However, these rumors were quickly dispelled when it was confirmed that Richardson-Sellers was dating a musician named Clay. The incident highlights how easily innocent friendships and social media posts can be misinterpreted as romantic connections in the celebrity world.
More recently, following the success of Red, White & Royal Blue, some fans have speculated about a potential relationship between Perez and his co-star Nicholas Galitzine. The on-screen chemistry between the two actors was so compelling that it sparked real-life dating rumors among fans. However, like previous speculations, there has been no confirmation or credible evidence to support these claims.
The pattern of linking Perez romantically with his co-stars reflects both his convincing on-screen chemistry and the public’s desire to see art imitate life. However, Perez’s consistent denials and lack of confirmed relationships suggest that he successfully maintains professional boundaries while delivering passionate performances.
What Taylor Zakhar Perez Looks for in a Partner
While Taylor Zakhar Perez keeps his actual dating life private, he has shared insights about his relationship preferences and what he looks for in a potential partner. In his 2020 Glamour interview, Perez revealed his attraction to adventurous people, stating that he loves adventurous people who say yes all the time. He mentioned his love for paddleboarding, hiking, and surfing, suggesting that his friends represent his type.
This preference for adventure aligns with Perez’s active lifestyle, which includes various outdoor activities and fitness pursuits. His social media presence often showcases his love for biking, gardening, and other physical activities, suggesting that he would be compatible with someone who shares these interests.
In a more recent interview, Perez elaborated on his approach to relationships, expressing his preference for dating friends. He emphasized the importance of knowing and trusting someone as the foundation for relationships. This philosophy emphasizes the importance of emotional connection and trust as foundations for romantic relationships.
Perez also revealed his priorities when it comes to intimacy, stating that he’s much more turned on by emotional intimacy than sexual intimacy at first. This perspective suggests that he values deep emotional connections over superficial attractions, which may explain his careful approach to public relationships and his emphasis on privacy.
The Impact of Fame on Personal Relationships
Taylor Zakhar Perez’s rise to fame has undoubtedly influenced his approach to personal relationships. The constant scrutiny and speculation surrounding his dating life demonstrate the challenges celebrities face in maintaining privacy while building meaningful connections. His decision to keep his romantic life private may be a protective measure to preserve authentic relationships away from public pressure.
The actor’s experience with persistent rumors about co-star relationships illustrates how difficult it can be for celebrities to maintain platonic friendships without romantic speculation. This reality may influence how Perez navigates both professional and personal relationships, potentially making him more cautious about public displays of affection or close friendships.
As Perez continues to build his career with upcoming projects, including potential involvement in a live-action Tangled adaptation, his approach to balancing fame and privacy will likely remain a defining characteristic of his public persona.
