The Unconventional Love Story: 5 Surprising Facts About Brenda Song's Relationship With Macaulay Culkin In 2025

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Brenda Song has captivated fans for decades, transitioning seamlessly from a beloved Disney Channel star on The Suite Life of Zack & Cody to a respected actress in dramatic roles. However, no aspect of her life sparks more curiosity than her deeply private and unconventional relationship with fellow former child star, Macaulay Culkin. As of December 2025, the couple remains one of Hollywood's most intriguing pairings, building a quiet family life away from the spotlight they both grew up in, a journey that has been full of green flags and surprising candidness about their future.

The latest updates from 2024 and heading into 2025 reveal that while they are engaged and raising two young children, their approach to marriage is anything but traditional. They continue to prioritize their family unit and personal happiness over Hollywood expectations, sharing candid details about their parenting journey and their surprisingly low-key wedding vision.

Brenda Song: A Comprehensive Biography and Profile

Brenda Song’s career is a testament to her versatility, beginning as a child model and quickly rising to international fame as a Disney icon. Her personal life, particularly her relationship with Macaulay Culkin, marks a significant, mature chapter away from her early Hollywood persona.

  • Full Name: Brenda Song
  • Date of Birth: March 27, 1988
  • Age (as of 2025): 37
  • Place of Birth: Carmichael, California, U.S.
  • Ethnicity: Thai and Hmong American
  • Occupation: Actress, Producer, Former Child Model
  • Education: Graduated from the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) in 2009 with a degree in Psychology and Business.
  • Breakthrough Roles: London Tipton in The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and The Suite Life on Deck (Disney Channel), Christy in The Social Network.
  • Current Partner: Macaulay Culkin (Engaged)
  • Children: Two sons (Names kept private to a degree, first son is Dakota Song Culkin).
  • Notable Recent Work: Dollface (Hulu), Changeland (Film).

The Unlikely Hollywood Love Story: A Timeline of Brenda and Mac’s Romance

The pairing of Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin initially surprised many, yet their relationship has proven to be one of the most stable and enduring in the entertainment world. Their connection is rooted in a shared understanding of the unique pressures of growing up in the public eye as child stars.

How Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin First Met

The couple's love story began in a professional setting, on the set of the 2019 film Changeland in Thailand. Interestingly, Brenda Song admitted that she initially found Culkin to be "really difficult" and that they did not get along when they first met. This initial friction quickly dissolved, however, as they realized their deep, shared history and life experiences. Both having started their careers as children—Culkin with Home Alone and Song with Disney Channel—they shared a unique bond and mutual respect for privacy.

They officially started dating in 2017, but kept their relationship extremely private in the early years. Their first public appearance as a couple was in 2017 while attending a dinner event in Los Angeles, though they remained discreet about their romance for a long time.

From Co-Stars to Engaged Parents

After four years of dating, the couple announced their engagement in January 2022. The news came as a delight to fans, symbolizing a mature and happy new chapter for both actors. The proposal itself was described by Song as a private, intimate moment at their home, which she shared details about in a candid interview in 2024.

Their relationship has been characterized by mutual support and genuine affection, often described as having "green flags" by those who follow their story. They have been open about supporting each other through personal and professional challenges, choosing to live a life that is as normal as possible outside of their acting careers.

Parenting, Privacy, and Their Two Children

Perhaps the most significant development in Brenda Song's life has been her journey into motherhood with Macaulay Culkin. The couple has two sons, a choice that has cemented their bond and shifted their focus entirely to their family unit.

The Arrival of Dakota Song Culkin

In April 2021, the couple welcomed their first child, a son named Dakota Song Culkin, in a touching tribute to Macaulay Culkin's late sister, Dakota. The birth was kept private until after the fact, a clear indication of their commitment to maintaining a boundary between their public personas and their private family life.

Culkin has spoken emotionally about his role as a father, calling his son the "most beautiful thing that ever happened to him." Brenda Song has also been candid about the challenges and joys of parenting, emphasizing that their home life is surprisingly ordinary, filled with the usual chaos and love that comes with raising young children.

A Family of Four: Welcoming Their Second Son

In late 2022, the couple quietly welcomed their second son. They have chosen to keep the name and exact birth details of their second child highly private, reinforcing their desire to shield their children from the intense media scrutiny they both experienced as kids. This decision to prioritize their children's privacy is a cornerstone of their relationship philosophy. Their joint appearances, such as a festive trip to Disneyland in late 2024, often show them twinning in casual wear, reflecting their focus on simple family fun.

The experience of raising children together has deepened their bond, allowing them to share a mature, grounded perspective on life. They often discuss their parenting dynamic, where they split responsibilities and support each other's careers, a model that resonates with modern working couples.

The Wedding Question: Why They Haven't Walked Down the Aisle Yet

Despite being engaged since January 2022 and sharing two children, Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin have not yet married, a fact that remains a source of speculation among fans and media outlets. Their reasoning, however, is deeply personal and reflects their unconventional approach to commitment.

No Pressure, No Rush

In their 2024 cover story with Cosmopolitan, the couple revealed that they are not feeling any pressure to rush the wedding. Song has stated that while they have "talked about" marriage, the timing and execution are not their primary focus. For them, the commitment they share as parents and partners is already the most meaningful bond.

The Elopement vs. Family Debate

One of the key reasons for the delay is the debate over the style of the wedding. Initially, the couple considered eloping for a simple, private ceremony. However, they took into consideration the feelings of Brenda Song’s mother, who expressed a desire to be part of the celebration. This familial consideration led them to put plans on hold, as they struggled to reconcile their desire for a small, private affair with the wish to honor their families.

Recent reports suggest they are leaning towards a very intimate, small-scale wedding, believing that "less is more" and they are not interested in a "huge" star-studded event. This approach aligns perfectly with their overall desire for privacy and their focus on the substance of their relationship over the spectacle of a celebrity wedding. As 2025 progresses, fans eagerly await any sign of a date, but the couple has made it clear that when it happens, it will be on their own terms, solidifying their status as one of Hollywood's most refreshingly grounded couples.

brenda song relationship
brenda song relationship

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