Inside Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin's Private Romance

Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin are among Hollywood's most mysterious couples. Though they've shied away from the spotlight throughout their relationship, they burst back onto the pop culture scene in December 2023, when they made a rare joint appearance as the Home Alone actor received his long-awaited star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Even more exciting was the presence of Culkin's family, including Song and their two children. (Their outing made shock waves across the internet, with many fans noting they had no idea these two iconic actors were together.)

During his acceptance speech, Culkin praised his long-time love with an emotional tribute to her support throughout their relationship. "I'd like to thank Brenda. You're absolutely everything," he said while his partner wiped tears from her eyes. "You're the best person I've ever known. And after the birth of our two boys, you've become one of my three favorite people."

Of course, people also have a nostalgic soft spot for Song, who starred as London Tipton in the Disney Channel series The Suite Life of Zack and Cody. Following their rare appearance in the public eye (and their increasing presence in Hollywood), fans have heightened interest in this famous couple's private romance. Read more on Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin's relationship timeline, including their marriage status, here.

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• Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin met in 2014 at a mutual friend's house and later began dating in 2017.
• Although Macaulay Culkin and Brenda Song aren't married (yet), they are engaged and currently planning their wedding.
• Brenda and Macaulay have two sons together: Dakota and Carson.

In this article:

• Are Macaulay Culkin and Brenda Song Married?
• How Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin Met
• Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin's Relationship Timeline

Are Macaulay Culkin and Brenda Song Married?

While many have speculated that Brenda Song is Macaulay Culkin's wife, the couple isn't married...yet. The former Disney actress did wear a ring stack at Culkin's December 2023 Star Ceremony, eliciting speculation about their relationship status. In their 2024 cover story for Cosmopolitan, they confirmed that they are indeed engaged, but are still narrowing down the details of their big day. "We talked about eloping," Song told the outlet. "But I was like, 'If we eloped, my mom would have a heart attack that she wasn't going to be there.'"

How Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin Met

Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin met at actor Seth Green's house in 2014. They reconnected on the set of Changeland in 2017, and although sparks flew, they didn't intend to keep in touch after filming wrapped. Alas, they never quite fell out of touch, and before long, Culkin realized he was in love with his co-star. "I'd never felt this way before," he told Cosmo in 2024. "I believed in her. I mean, I believed in people before, but I believed in her down to my bone marrow. You know what I mean? I put it behind the armor though, behind that shield."

Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin's Relationship Timeline

Photo: Michael Kovac | Getty Images for Ghetto Film School

To rewind to their love story origins: the couple fell in love at work and confirmed their engagement four years later. Read through their relationship timeline below.

2014: Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin First Meet

Stars… they're somewhat like us. In the case of Culkin and Song, the couple met at a mutual friend's house in 2014, but didn't begin dating until they reconnected on the set of the movie Changeland in 2017.

February 2020: They Go on the Record About Their Relationship

In his 2020 cover story with Esquire, Culkin shared intimate snippets about his otherwise low-key lifestyle and relationship with Song. "You can't be around him and not be happy," the Social Network actress said. Culkin added of his partner, "I was waiting for the other shoe to drop… No—sometimes it's just good."

At the time, both were hopeful about expanding their family. "We practice a lot," Culkin commented.

August 2020: Brenda Song & Macaulay Culkin Celebrate His 40th Birthday

Photo: @BrendaSong | Instagram

Though largely private about her relationship especially on social media, Song took to Instagram in summer 2020 to commemorate Culkin's 40th birthday. "I could sit here and write endlessly about how wonderful, kind, loving, genuine, loyal, honest, brilliant and hilarious you are, and how grateful I am that I get to share and do this life thing with you," she wrote. "But firstly, that would take me an eternity and secondly, you won't even see this because you don't ever use Instagram. Hahaha. My unicorn that I never thought could exist, I am [the] luckiest person in the world because I am loved by you."

April 2021: The Stars Welcome Their First Child

Song and Culkin welcomed their first child, son Dakota Song Culkin, in Spring 2021. "We're overjoyed," the couple declared in a statement shared with Esquire. The child was born in L.A. on Monday, April 5, 2021. Little Dakota's name is especially sentimental, as it's linked to his late sister, Dakota Culkin, who passed away at age 29 after being struck by a car.

Early 2022: Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin Get Engaged

After Song was photographed in Beverly Hills wearing a diamond sparkler on her left ring finger, People confirmed the couple was engaged.

Late 2022: Macaulay Culkin and Brenda Song Welcome Their Second Child

In March 2023, Culkin's brother Kieran Culkin confirmed that the couple welcomed their second child, another son named Carson, during an interview with Access Hollywood. "The cousins live in Los Angeles and we live in New York. I have a one-year-old and a three-year-old, and as busy as I am, there's just no getting on a plane and going, and same with them," he said "I haven't met number two yet, and they haven't met number two yet either," he continued, referencing his children with his wife Jazz Charton. "We just haven't been able to figure that out."

December 2023: Macaulay Culkin & Brenda Song Attend His Walk of Fame Ceremony

Photo: Amy Sussman | Getty Images

Joined by their two young boys, Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin made a rare public appearance for the actor's momentous occasion in Hollywood. Several of Culkin's direct family members were also in attendance at the ceremony, as well as his goddaughter Paris Jackson. Actors Seth Green, Natasha Lyonne and other Hollywood names also joined Culkin and his family.

Culkin's Home Alone mother, actress Catherina O'Hara, delivered a speech in rousing support of the now dad of two. "Macaulay, congratulations. You so deserve your star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame," she expressed. "Thank you for including me, your fake mom, who left you home alone not once, but twice, to share in this happy occasion. I'm so proud of you."

January 2024: Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin Get Candid About Their Relationship

In a wide-ranging interview, Song and Culkin opened up about their romance, their journey as parents, and their wedding vision in their 2024 cover story with Cosmopolitan. While Song admitted to having experienced a "breakdown" over not finding "her person" at age 27, she told the outlet that meeting Culkin later in life was fate at work. "When I met Mack, there was so much more of me that I hadn't figured out," she said. "He made me such a bigger person and I was like, Oh my god. I didn't realize that there were so many things I didn't know about myself." Added Culkin: "As I said, I got your back no matter what. I'll do whatever you say you want to do... I'm in this to the end, to the very end."