How Did Anya Taylor-Joy and Malcolm McRae Fall in Love? A Quiet Relationship Timeline

In an industry where celebrity relationships often play out under the harsh glare of paparazzi flashbulbs, Anya Taylor-Joy and Malcolm McRae have managed to craft something remarkably rare: a genuinely private love story. The Queen’s Gambit star and the Alabama-born musician have built their romance on shared birthdays, silent reading sessions, and an almost mystical connection that began in a music studio.

Their relationship timeline reads like a modern fairy tale—one where two creative souls found each other at exactly the right moment. Taylor-Joy, fresh from her devastating 2019 breakup that left her feeling “incredibly insecure and very, very unsafe” in her own skin, discovered not just love but a partner who would become her foundation. McRae, a musician who had followed his heart from Alabama to Los Angeles, found in Taylor-Joy someone who shared not only his birthday but his appreciation for life’s quieter moments.

What makes their story particularly compelling is how they’ve managed to maintain their privacy while building a life together. From their first public appearance holding hands in New York City to their secret New Orleans wedding and subsequent Venetian ceremony, every milestone has been carefully guarded yet genuinely romantic. Their relationship represents something increasingly precious in Hollywood: authentic connection over public spectacle.

This is the story of how two whole people found each other and became, in Taylor-Joy’s father’s words, “a greater sum of their parts”.

The Serendipitous Meeting: A Music Studio Encounter

The love story between Anya Taylor-Joy and Malcolm McRae began in the most fitting place for a musician and an actress: a music studio. In a recent appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, Taylor-Joy revealed the magical moment that would change both their lives forever.

“We met in a music studio,” Taylor-Joy shared, her voice filled with the warmth that comes from recounting a cherished memory. But what happened next sounds almost too perfect to be true. The first words McRae ever spoke to her weren’t about her acting career or his music—they were about birthdays.

“He was like, ‘When’s your birthday?’ And I was like, ‘April 16th,’ he’s like, ‘I knew it,’” Taylor-Joy recalled. The reason for his certainty? They share the exact same birthday, with McRae born on April 16, 1994, and Taylor-Joy arriving exactly two years later on April 16, 1996. This cosmic coincidence made them both Aries, known for their passionate and intense personalities.

The immediate connection was undeniable. “I was like, ‘Oh no, this is, yeah,’ he’s the absolute greatest,” Taylor-Joy continued, her words trailing off in the way they do when someone remembers a moment that felt like destiny.

Early Romance: From Private References to Public Displays

April 2021: The First Hint

While the exact timing of their meeting remains private, Taylor-Joy first publicly referenced her relationship during an April 2021 interview with Elle. Speaking from her bathroom during a virtual interview, she explained her location choice: “My partner’s just come back from work, and he’s moving around all of his equipment, so this was the safe spot”.

This casual mention of “my partner” was the first public acknowledgment of someone special in her life, though she kept his identity carefully concealed.

May 2021: Going Public

The mystery didn’t last long. In May 2021, just a month after her cryptic reference, Taylor-Joy and McRae were photographed together in New York City, holding hands and sharing kisses during a romantic walk. The photos, obtained by Page Six, confirmed what fans had suspected—the actress had found love.

July 2021: Instagram Official

By July 2021, McRae was ready to share his feelings with the world. Taking to Instagram, he posted a photo of Taylor Joy with a caption that left no doubt about his emotions: “I’m besotted”. This public declaration marked a significant step in their relationship, showing McRae’s willingness to share his happiness despite their generally private nature.

The romance continued to blossom publicly when, in October 2021, McRae shared another Instagram post featuring Taylor-Joy, this time writing: “Oof supremely happy”.

Building a Life Together: The Relationship Deepens

Living Together and Growing Closer

By July 2021, sources close to the couple revealed that their relationship had become serious quickly. A source told The Sun that McRae had “practically moved into” Taylor-Joy’s Los Angeles home, and that “they are inseparable and spend all of their time together”.

This rapid progression made sense given their deep connection. As Taylor-Joy would later explain to British Vogue, McRae had become more than just a romantic partner—he had become her hobby, her companion, and her peace.

March 2022: Opening Up About Love

In March 2022, Taylor-Joy gave her most revealing interview about their relationship to British Vogue. “He’s my hobby,” she said, explaining their unique dynamic. “I’ve finally found someone who will happily sit in silence with me reading. We’re basically 80 years old and 7 at the same time, and it works really well”.

This quote perfectly encapsulates what makes their relationship special—it’s built on genuine compatibility and shared appreciation for life’s simple pleasures.

The Secret Wedding: A New Orleans Love Story

April 1, 2022: A Secret Ceremony

While the world was watching their red carpet-appearances and social media posts, Taylor-Joy and McRae were planning something much more intimate. On April 1, 2022—their shared birthday—the couple secretly exchanged vows in New Orleans.

The ceremony was deliberately small and private, with only their two best friends in attendance. “We eloped in New Orleans with our two best friends and had the time of our lives. It was magical,” Taylor-Joy later revealed to Elle.

The Perfect Wedding Dress

Taylor-Joy’s wedding dress was as meaningful as the ceremony itself. She wore a custom Dior gown embroidered with personal images that told their unique love story. This attention to personal detail reflected the couple’s commitment to making their relationship about them, not public perception.

Keeping the Secret

Remarkably, the couple managed to keep their marriage secret for months. It wasn’t until July 2022 that rumors began circulating about their wedding, and even then, they didn’t officially confirm it until much later.

The Venetian Celebration: A Second Wedding

September 2023: A Romantic Italian Affair

Approximately 17 months after their secret New Orleans ceremony, Taylor-Joy and McRae decided to celebrate their love again, this time in Venice, Italy. This second wedding was a more traditional affair, held at a historic palazzo with 150 guests in attendance.

“We’re just real romantics,” Taylor-Joy explained to Elle about having two weddings. “But I’m lucky to say that the second experience—with all of our families—was so beyond beautiful, and I just feel very, very lucky”.

A Private Celebration

Even their larger Italian wedding maintained their commitment to privacy. Sources close to the couple told the Daily Mail that “Anya and Malcolm are incredibly private and wanted to ensure their wedding was kept away from prying eyes. They both love Italy and always dreamed of tying the knot in a beautiful setting surrounded by their nearest and dearest”.

Life as a Married Couple: Growing Together

Shared Growth and Support

Taylor-Joy has been open about how her relationship with McRae has helped her grow as a person. Drawing on advice from her father, she explained: “My dad once told me when I was a kid that you’re not looking for another half to make you whole, that you are whole, and if you’re lucky enough, you meet another whole, and then you become like a greater sum of your parts”.

This philosophy has clearly guided their relationship. “I just feel like I am encouraged to grow in the most unexpected and beautiful ways because he provides a soil that’s really nutritious and safe,” she shared.

Balancing Privacy and Public Life

As their careers have continued to flourish, Taylor-Joy and McRae have maintained their commitment to privacy while occasionally sharing glimpses of their happiness. They’ve appeared together at various red-carpet events, including the 2023 Golden Globes and Tiffany & Co. events, always presenting a united, loving front.

April 2024: Sharing Their Joy

It wasn’t until April 2024—two years after their secret wedding—that the couple finally shared their wedding photos on social media, officially confirming what many had suspected. The photos revealed the beauty and intimacy of both their ceremonies, showing a couple genuinely in love and committed to each other.

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