Is Chloé Zhao Single? Boyfriend, Love Life, and Relationship History of The 'Hamnet' Director

Published 02/10/2026, 12:03 AM EST

Chloé Zhao has become one of the most celebrated filmmakers of her generation, known for crafting deeply emotional stories that feel both intimate and visually stunning. From Nomadland to Eternals, the Oscar-winning director has built a reputation for storytelling that explores human connection, solitude, and survival with remarkable authenticity.

Now, with Chloé Zhao stepping into the spotlight again as the director of Hamnet, public interest has grown not only around her next creative chapter but also around her personal life. Fans are curious about whether the acclaimed filmmaker is currently dating and what her relationship history looks like.

While Chloé Zhao’s career is often front and center, her relationships have always remained mostly behind the scenes, making her past romance all the more intriguing.

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Chloé Zhao’s relationship history: Is she single?

Yes, Chloé Zhao is single, as she is not publicly dating anyone right now. The director was previously in a long-term relationship with British cinematographer Joshua James Richards. The two reportedly met while studying film at New York University, and their bond eventually grew into both a romantic relationship and a creative partnership.

Joshua James Richards became a major part of Chloé Zhao’s filmmaking journey, serving as cinematographer on some of her most acclaimed films, including Songs My Brother Taught Me, The Rider, and the Oscar-winning Nomadland. Their relationship was often described as deeply connected to their work, with the two frequently collaborating on projects that shaped Zhao’s reputation as a filmmaker.

However, recent public updates suggest that the relationship has ended. Chloé Zhao has reportedly referred to Joshua James Richards in the past tense in later profiles and interviews, indicating that their long-term romance had ended by 2025. Since then, she has not publicly confirmed a new boyfriend or partner.

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Although her love life has remained low-profile, Chloé Zhao’s career is entering a major new chapter, one that could be her most emotionally powerful work yet.

Chloé Zhao’s directorial role in Hamnet

Chloé Zhao is set to direct Hamnet, a project that has already generated major attention due to both its literary roots and its emotional weight. The film is expected to explore themes of grief, love, and loss, areas where Chloé Zhao’s storytelling style naturally thrives.

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Known for her intimate character-driven approach, Chloé Zhao is widely seen as an ideal choice to bring Hamnet to life. Her ability to capture quiet heartbreak and human resilience has made audiences eager to see how she interprets the story on screen, especially since the film is expected to deliver a deeply emotional cinematic experience.

With Hamnet, Chloé Zhao continues proving that her filmmaking isn’t just about visuals, it’s about emotional truth. At the same time, she has also shown she is willing to take bold, creative risks on a massive scale, including her high-profile move and leap of faith into the superhero genre during her time directing Marvel's Eternals.

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Are you excited to see Chloé Zhao’s vision for Hamnet? Let us know in the comments! 

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Karishma Dasgupta

43 articles

Karishma is an entertainment journalist at Netflix Junkie. She enjoys digging deep into stories and bringing clarity to the often fast-moving world of entertainment. She holds a double Master’s degree in Fashion Business Management and Digital Marketing.

Edited By: Aliza Siddiqui

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