Why Fans Suspect a Romance Between Madison Beer and NFL Star Justin Herbert

Is there a new Hollywood-sports romance brewing? Fans certainly think so after Madison Beer and Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert were spotted together in Los Angeles, sparking major dating speculation.

On August 18, Justin, 27, was seen visiting Madison, 26, on the set of her new music video. Dressed in a white lace dress and angel wings, the pop star was seen chatting with Justin and showing him around the set, fueling chatter that the two might be more than friends.

But before fans could get too carried away, Justin set the record straight. When asked about the sighting, he casually explained, “Ah yeah, well she’s just a friend I met. We play chess from time to time, that photo was taken at a chess tournament here in Los Angeles.” His easygoing response quickly quieted the romance rumors.

Still, the speculation has everyone talking—especially since Justin hasn’t been publicly linked to anyone since his rumored relationship with NFL Network reporter Taylor Bisciotti two years ago.

Meanwhile, Madison has been more open about her love life in the past. Earlier this year, she reflected on her relationship with TikTok star Nick Austin, whom she began dating in 2021. “It can be good and bad,” she told Cosmopolitan in March, noting their different zodiac signs—she’s a Gemini, he’s a Cancer. “It’s intense and fun, but it’s good. We’ve been together for four years, which is nuts.”

She also gave rare insight into her views on love, explaining, “I love people. I meet someone, I love them. I’m like, ‘Okay, I’m never letting you go. You’ll be with me forever until you hurt me.’ That’s the deal. I think also because I have such a weird life and never feel safe and comfortable with someone, when I cross that line of ‘you’re my boyfriend,’ it feels really big.”

Though Madison and Nick’s current status is unclear—the two haven’t been spotted together recently—Nick once gushed about her in a now-deleted 2021 birthday tribute, calling her “the love of my life, my best friend, my dream girl, my soulmate.”

While fans continue to speculate on what’s really going on between Madison and Justin, both stars have big things ahead: Madison is preparing for the release of her highly anticipated new album, while Justin just kicked off his sixth season with the Chargers, recently taking the field in a preseason matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.