TikTok star Haley Kalil is speaking out after there was buzz that she was going out with actor Austin Butler.
The rumors started when Butler was seen on Sept. 1 having a meal with an unidentified woman on a sunny balcony in New York. A clip of the outing circled social media, and many fans suspected the companion bore a remarkable resemblance to Kalil, a well-known figure on TikTok under the name Haleyybaylee.
But Kalil laughed off the rumors in a September 4 interview with TMZ. “It’s not me, but I wish it was,” she said. “Austin, my DMs are open.”
Although the similarity might have been enough to create speculation, there are obvious differences between Kalil and the woman seen with Butler. The influencer is a redhead, whereas the enigmatic woman seen with the Elvis icon was a brunette.
That being said, Kalil and Butler are hardly strangers to each other’s realities. Both were present at the New York premiere of Butler’s new film Caught Stealing on August 26. Kalil even took a dig at the incident on social media, sharing a video of Butler passing in front of her on the red carpet with the caption: “@austinbutler has no idea I even exist.”
Kalil, previously married to ex-NFL player Matt Kalil, is also an influential influencer due to her popular viral content and internet presence. Butler, however, still seems to attract notice not just because of his working career as an actor but also because of his private life.
Earlier in the year, there were reports that Butler and model Kaia Gerber had broken up after almost three years of dating. The actor has yet to comment on the breakup and has long stated that he prefers not to share information about his private life.
In a 2022 GQ interview, Butler conveyed his unease with public attention, especially in regard to paparazzi. “If I don’t see the picture, then it doesn’t really exist to me,” he said then. “I don’t want to be really negative, but there’s hardly any job I despise more than paparazzi.”
Even with the rumor mill, it’s apparent that the woman spotted with Butler in New York wasn’t Kalil. But by her playful answer, the TikToker doesn’t object to the gossip, and wouldn’t be opposed precisely if the dating rumors were genuine.
Jamie Wells has a knack for getting the inside scoop on Hollywood’s biggest stars and up-and-coming talent. With a sharp eye for industry trends and an ear for viral moments, Jamie covers everything from red-carpet events to behind-the-scenes drama in movies, TV, and celebrity culture.
