The Kissing Booth 2 stars Taylor Zakhar Perez (Marco) and Joey King (Elle) are the latest set of Netflix teen rom com stars to spark real-life dating rumors. Following the film’s release, the two went on vacation together to celebrate. But Perez didn’t let the speculation sit long before he revealed their true relationship status: There is nothing romantic going on.
“We just kind of hit it off,” he told Entertainment Tonight. “When we were in South Africa [filming The Kissing Booth 2], we had dinner together. I cooked for her, she cooked for me. We just became kind of like the best of friends.”
He added that it was probably hard for her to go back to set with her ex-boyfriend Jacob Elordi (who plays Noah, Elle’s main love interest).
“I’m sure it was odd for her to go back into a production with someone that she dated,” he said. “And so me being this new castmate and Joel [Courtney] being there and Meganne [Young], we kind of just all meshed really well together.”
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They continued to be close friends after the film wrapped. “When we got back to Los Angeles we just kept hanging out,” he said “We live really near each other. And then the quarantine hit and we kinda just needed someone to trust during that time, like, ‘Okay, I know you’re not going out. I know who you’re seeing.’ So we just became really close.”
All in all, he deeply cares—but their relationship is platonic. “I love her. I love her dearly,” he said. “I’d do anything for her. We’re not dating. I’ll end it with that.”
King is actually believed to be dating The Act producer Steven Piet.
Still, Perez let his Instagram followers know how close he and King were in his birthday tribute to her last week. He wrote, “Happy Friggen Birthday @joeyking
Honestly I could write about this woman all day. She is the reason I joined the KB2 family, she welcomed me with open arms and love, she supported me, she pushed me, she made me laugh (like pee my pants laughter and had to check my underwear), she inspired me to be a better actor, she shared her family with me, THE LIST GOES ON. Grateful for you forever. #tbt.”
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She commented back to him, “Can’t imagine my life without you. I heart you T.”
Alyssa Bailey
News and Strategy Editor
Alyssa Bailey is the news and strategy editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage of celebrities and royals (particularly Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton).
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