Drew Starkey may have shot to fame playing Rafe Cameron, the brooding (and somewhat psychopathic) antagonist in Outer Banks, but in real life, he’s proven to be quite the opposite.
Despite his villainous on-screen persona, Drew has emerged as an unexpected heartthrob, amassing a dedicated fan base swooning over his charm and talent, but with all this newfound fame comes an all-important question: Is Drew Starkey in a relationship?
While Rafe Cameron is anything but lovable, Drew Starkey has captivated Outer Banks viewers. The internet—especially TikTok—has been abuzz with fan edits and fancams dedicated to his character, but Drew’s charm goes well beyond the show. Following his OBX success, he’s taken on even bigger projects, including starring alongside Daniel Craig in Luca Guadagnino’s upcoming film Queer. His rising star power has naturally led fans to become more curious about his personal life—particularly his romantic status.
Who is Drew Starkey dating?
The hottest topic in Drew’s love life speculation? His possible romance with fellow actor Odessa A’zion.
The pair have been linked since 2021, appearing together at various events, cozying up for photos, and even sharing several Instagram moments that fans can’t get enough of.
They’ve walked red carpets together, posed arm-in-arm at the Outer Banks event Poguelandia in early 2023, and played love interests in Hulu’s Hellraiser reboot. Naturally, this close relationship has sparked plenty of rumours, leading many to believe that they are indeed an item.
One of the most notable moments that added fuel to the romance fire was when Odessa posted a birthday tribute to Drew in November 2022. In the post, she shared several cute photos of the two together, paired with the playful caption: “Happy Birthday Joseph. Keep eating that pb n j once a day, it’s really good for ur bones.” While the post was adorable, it wasn’t exactly a declaration of love, leaving fans once again in the dark about whether the two are dating or just great friends.
In early 2024, fans once again rallied on social media to try and uncover the truth behind the romance rumours after Odessa was reportedly spotted kissing someone at a Billie Eilish concert.
“I worked on Outer Banks Season 3 and [Odessa] came to set a couple of times and came into the office with their shared Pomeranian and I was told he was in a long-term relationship,” one Reddit user claimed, but as with many Reddit revelations, most fans took the anecdote with a pinch of salt.
After speculation about their relationship appeared to have subsided among fans, Drew and Odessa once again reignited the romance rumours in early 2025 after the pair were photographed together at a W Magazine Party at Hollywood’s Chateau Marmont before later being spotted together at the Vanity Fair Oscars Afterparty in March.
However, despite all the fan theories and TikTok edits, neither Drew nor Odessa have ever confirmed their relationship status. For now, it seems they’re happy to keep people guessing.
Is Drew Starkey single?
With no official confirmation of a relationship and no other public romances linked to Drew, it’s safe to assume the Outer Banks star is currently single—or at least keeping his private life very private. For now, fans will have to keep speculating (and making those TikTok edits).
One thing’s for sure: whether he’s single or taken, Drew Starkey is one of Hollywood’s most promising rising stars, and we can’t wait to see what he does next.
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