Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin: Relationship, Children, and Life Together
Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin are longtime partners and engaged parents of two sons. They began dating in 2017 after working together on Changeland, became engaged in 2022, and have kept their family life largely private. As of September 2026, they have not publicly announced a wedding.
Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin are one of Hollywood’s more private couples. Both became famous as child actors, but their careers took very different paths before they met as adults.
Song became widely known as London Tipton on Disney Channel’s The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. Culkin became one of the most recognizable child stars of the 1990s through Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.
Their relationship began years after their childhood fame. Today, they are raising two sons while continuing their acting careers.
How Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin Met
Song and Culkin first crossed paths at a gathering hosted by actor Seth Green in 2014. They later reconnected while working on the independent comedy-drama Changeland in Thailand in 2017.
Their connection developed during production, and they began dating that year.
The couple did not immediately turn their relationship into a public celebrity story. They largely avoided discussing their private life with the media.
That approach became an important part of their relationship.
In a 2025 joint interview with Cosmopolitan, they explained how successfully they had kept their relationship away from the spotlight. The interview also gave fans a rare look at their family life and how they support each other. (Good Morning America)
For the full joint interview, readers can see Cosmopolitan’s feature on Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin. Cosmopolitan’s Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin feature
Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin’s Relationship Timeline
Their relationship has developed quietly over several years.
| Year | Relationship milestone |
|---|---|
| 2014 | Song and Culkin first met through mutual friends |
| 2017 | They reconnected while filming Changeland |
| 2017 | They began dating |
| 2021 | Their first son, Dakota, was born |
| 2022 | Culkin proposed and the couple became engaged |
| 2022 | Their second son, Carson, was born |
| 2023 | The family made a rare public appearance together |
| 2025 | They gave their first major joint interview |
| 2026 | They marked nine years together and continued raising their two sons |
The timeline shows why their relationship attracted attention without relying on constant public appearances.
They have built their family away from much of the celebrity spotlight.
When Did Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin Get Engaged?
Macaulay Culkin proposed to Brenda Song in January 2022.
News of their engagement became public after Song was seen wearing an engagement ring. The couple later discussed their plans during interviews.
In their 2025 Cosmopolitan interview, they explained that they had talked about eloping but had not rushed into wedding planning.
Song said she wanted her family to be part of the celebration. Culkin also made clear that he was comfortable taking his time.
As of September 2026, there has been no reliable public announcement confirming that they have married. Recent reporting continues to describe Song as Culkin’s fiancée. (Cosmopolitan)
Do Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin Have Children?
Yes. Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin have two sons.
Their first child, Dakota Song Culkin, was born on April 5, 2021, in Los Angeles.
The couple chose the name Dakota in honor of Culkin’s late sister, Dakota, who died in 2008.
The birth was confirmed publicly through a statement shared with ABC News. (ABC News)
Their second son, Carson, was born in 2022. News of his birth became public later, reflecting the couple’s preference for keeping their children’s lives private. (Entertainment Tonight)
The boys rarely appear in public. Their parents have also avoided sharing extensive details about their childhood.
Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin as Parents
Parenthood has become a major part of the couple’s lives.
Song has continued acting while raising their children, while Culkin has described himself as heavily involved in daily family life.
In a 2026 interview, Song discussed the challenge of balancing motherhood and work. She said the couple follows a “two-week rule,” meaning neither parent wants to be away from the family for more than two weeks at a time. She also spoke about the importance of being present for everyday moments such as school pickups and drop-offs. (People.com)
Their approach reflects the private way they have handled their relationship from the beginning.
Rather than making their children part of their public image, they have largely kept family life separate from their careers.
Brenda Song’s Acting Career
Brenda Song began working as a child actor and model.
She appeared in commercials and television projects before becoming one of Disney Channel’s recognizable young stars.
Her biggest early breakthrough came with The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, where she played London Tipton.
The character became one of her defining roles.
Song also starred in Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior, a Disney Channel Original Movie that gave her a leading role.
After her Disney years, Song moved toward more adult television and film roles.
She appeared in projects including Dollface, Station 19, Amphibia, The Last Showgirl, and Netflix’s Running Point. The Television Academy identifies her work on The Suite Life franchise and later projects as major parts of her acting career. (Television Academy)
Brenda Song in Running Point
One of Song’s major recent roles is Ali Lee in Netflix’s basketball comedy Running Point.
The series stars Kate Hudson as Isla Gordon, the president of a fictional Los Angeles basketball team.
Song plays Ali, Isla’s close friend and chief of staff.
The role also connects with Song’s genuine interest in basketball and the Los Angeles Lakers. The Television Academy noted that Song is a major Lakers fan and watches the team’s games closely. (Television Academy)
Season 2 of Running Point arrived on Netflix on April 23, 2026.
Netflix’s own coverage confirms Song’s return as Ali Lee for the second season. (Netflix)
Macaulay Culkin’s Career
Macaulay Culkin became famous at an unusually young age.
His breakthrough came with Home Alone in 1990, when he played Kevin McCallister.
The film became a major commercial and cultural success. Culkin returned as Kevin in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York in 1992.
He also appeared in films such as My Girl, The Good Son, Richie Rich, and The Pagemaster.
Culkin eventually stepped away from acting for a period during his teenage years.
He returned to screen work as an adult and appeared in independent films and television projects.
His later work included Party Monster, Saved!, Changeland, and American Horror Story.
He also provided voice work for projects including Entergalactic and Zootopia 2.
In 2023, Culkin received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, recognizing his contribution to entertainment.
Macaulay Culkin’s Recent Work
Culkin has maintained a lower public profile than during his childhood fame.
He continues to take selected acting roles while spending significant time with his family.
In September 2026, Culkin appeared at the Emmy Awards alongside Dan Levy and Annie Murphy for a tribute to his former Home Alone co-star Catherine O’Hara, who died earlier in the year.
The appearance was especially meaningful because O’Hara played Kevin McCallister’s mother in Home Alone. (AP News)
Culkin is also scheduled for a Home Alone: A Nostalgic Night with Macaulay Culkin event in Australia later in 2026. The program includes a screening of Home Alone followed by a live question-and-answer session with Culkin. (Courier Mail)
How Old Are Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin?
Brenda Song was born on March 27, 1988, in Carmichael, California.
She is 38 years old as of September 2026.
Macaulay Culkin was born on August 26, 1980, in New York City.
He is 46 years old as of September 2026.
The two are eight years apart in age.
Both started working in entertainment when they were young, although their paths to fame were different.
Brenda Song’s Background and Ethnicity
Brenda Song was born in California and grew up in the Los Angeles area.
Her father is Hmong and her mother is Thai-American. Song has spoken about her experience as an Asian American actress and the extra effort she felt was necessary to build a long-term career in Hollywood. (Good Morning America)
Her background has been relevant to how she has described her career, especially as she moved from child television roles into more varied adult acting work.
Macaulay Culkin was born in New York City and grew up in a large family with several siblings who also became involved in entertainment.
Have Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin Worked Together?
Yes.
Their most important professional connection is Changeland.
The 2019 film was directed by Seth Green and featured both Song and Culkin.
The project became especially important because it brought the two actors together shortly before their romantic relationship began.
Their careers have otherwise remained largely separate.
Song has focused heavily on television in recent years, while Culkin has chosen a smaller number of acting projects.
Why Do Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin Keep Their Relationship Private?
Privacy has been a consistent part of their relationship.
Both actors experienced intense public attention as children.
Culkin became one of the biggest child stars in Hollywood after Home Alone. Song also grew up working in television and became a familiar face to Disney Channel audiences.
Their decision to keep their adult relationship private appears deliberate.
Culkin explained in their 2025 joint interview that if people were surprised to learn that he and Song were together and had children, that meant they had successfully kept their private life away from public attention. (Good Morning America)
The couple has occasionally attended events together, but they generally avoid turning their family life into a regular part of celebrity coverage.
Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin’s 2026 Relationship Status
As of September 2026, Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin remain together and engaged.
They have been a couple for about nine years.
In June 2026, Culkin publicly marked their nine-year anniversary with a message about how much his life had changed since meeting Song. (E! Online)
They are also raising their two sons, Dakota and Carson.
There has been no confirmed public announcement of a wedding.
That does not mean the couple has ruled out marriage. It simply means there is no reliable public confirmation that they have married as of September 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin married?
No confirmed public record or announcement shows that they are married. They became engaged in 2022 and continue to be publicly described as fiancés as of 2026. (Hindustan Times)
How long have Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin been together?
They began dating in 2017. They celebrated nine years together in June 2026. (E! Online)
When did Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin get engaged?
They became engaged in January 2022 after about five years together.
How many children do Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin have?
They have two sons, Dakota and Carson.
When was Dakota Culkin born?
Dakota Song Culkin was born on April 5, 2021, in Los Angeles. (ABC News)
Who is Brenda Song?
Brenda Song is an American actress known for The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior, Dollface, The Last Showgirl, and Running Point.
Who is Macaulay Culkin?
Macaulay Culkin is an American actor best known for playing Kevin McCallister in Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.
Did Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin meet while filming Changeland?
They reconnected while working on Changeland in 2017. They had actually met earlier through mutual friends, according to their later interviews. (Cosmopolitan)
Are Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin still together in 2026?
Yes. They remain together and are raising their two sons. Culkin publicly marked their ninth anniversary in June 2026. (E! Online)
Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin Today
Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin have built a long-term relationship far away from the usual Hollywood spotlight.
Their story began with two former child stars reconnecting as adults. It developed into a serious partnership, an engagement, and a family with two sons.
Song has continued expanding her acting career through projects such as Running Point, while Culkin has taken a more selective approach to acting and public appearances.
Their relationship remains private, but the details they have shared show a family centered on parenting, career support, and time together.
As of September 2026, the clearest public facts are simple: Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin are still together, they are engaged, they have two sons, and they have not publicly confirmed a wedding.
She holds advanced qualifications in Sociology, Anthropology, and Ethnic Studies, fields that focus on human cultures, traditions, migration patterns, and identity development across the world. Her expertise allows her to break down complex cultural topics into easy-to-understand articles that readers genuinely enjoy.
Over the years, Milana has researched hundreds of public figures, communities, and global ethnic groups, making her a trusted voice in the ethnicity niche. Her writing combines factual research, historical understanding, and modern cultural analysis to ensure every article is informative, reliable, and reader-friendly.
Her work focuses on:
* Ethnicity and ancestry research
* Cultural identity and heritage
* Nationality and family background
* Celebrity ethnicity breakdowns
* Global traditions and multicultural studies
Milana’s goal is to provide readers with authentic, well-researched, and trustworthy information while celebrating the diversity of cultures around the world. Through her detailed research and passion for cultural education, she continues to help audiences better understand ethnicity, heritage, and identity in today’s connected world.
- Howard Schultz and George Soros: What Is Their Connection? - September 22, 2026
- George Soros and Barack Obama: Their Political Connection Explained - September 22, 2026
- Gene Hackman and Pope Francis: Was There Any Connection? - September 22, 2026
