#seems like a starz intern went to the Optah magazine

[thebrochtuarachs]

The latest “Are Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe Dating?” article is up and today, it’s from The Oprah Magazine! 😝

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So I was looking for more details about Sam’s honorary degree and naturally, I searched his name in google and this is the first article that came up - and it coming from The Oprah Magazine kinda surprised me (cause I thought they’re more “journalistic” than this) but here we are. The way the article’s written is kinda funny, to be honest, with the writer adding some details that only, erm, “in the know”fans are aware of.

[Here’s the link to the article] - but I thought I’d post it below too cause details!! (Going to [comment] on my favorite parts! Super sorry in advance but this was too good to pass up!) 

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Are Outlander's Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan Dating?

Their chemistry is undeniable. By Samantha Vincenty

[Another day, another IS SAM AND CAIT DATING article which we all know how would end but let’s see if this one is different. And oh yes, Samantha Vincenty, their chemistry is UNDENIABLE!<3 ]

Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe's chemistry onscreen has sparked dating rumors since Outlander first premiered in 2014.

The two actors have long maintained that they're just "incredibly great friends."

Though Caitriona Balfe has confirmed her engagement, wedding details are scarce.

Outlander is chock full of action, suspense, and wild 18th century world history lessons. But the white-hot love scenes between Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan) and Claire Randall Fraser (Caitriona Balfe) are one of the biggest reasons people are hooked on the Starz series, which is based on Diana Gabaldon's books. As any fan of the show knows in the rational part of their brain, Heughan and Balfe are simply gifted actors playing fictional characters, and it's their talent that makes their relationship so convincing on TV. 

[Hehehehehe 😝]

However, one could be forgiven if their small screen chemistry and adorable real-life photos—such as this one—spark occasional thoughts like: "Wait—Are they dating, though?"

[The linked photo is Sam and Cait from BAFTA 2018 with the Audi - honestly, we got more “small screen chemistry and adorable real-life photos that are more “sparky” than that]

So, are Outlander's Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe Together in real life?

Despite their body language, flirtatious looks, and countless wishful Tumblr posts that would have us so ready to believe it, the Outlander stars are not a couple in real life. In fact, Caitriona Balfe is engaged—possibly even married.

[This writer has scoured through Tumblr and probably that’s what birthed this article. She must’ve seen the hundreds of posts from the 20 (ehem!) shippers around here and decided to give us a shoutout]

"We've always said from the get-go that we're incredibly great friends," Balfe told E! in a joint 2016 interview with Heughan. "We're not together, sorry to break people's hearts! But they like to try and, I don't know, maybe replicate the Claire and Jamie story. I think it would be difficult for us to work together and be together." (Heughan then jokingly chimed in with "we could try," just one of the many times he's done nothing to dispel the rumors and theories some imaginative fans still cling to.)

[”...Heughan then jokingly chimed in with "we could try," just one of the many times he's done nothing to dispel the rumors and theories some imaginative fans still cling to.” - omg, even this detail is IN, hahahaha! I mean this info is kinda “deep shipper” level findings and it found its way up! And of course, the fact that Sam has done things that “IMAGINATIVE” fans still cling too, ugh - HAHAHAHAHA! IMAGINATIVE - a more friendly term for “delusional” I guess - thanks for trying.]

Who is Caitriona Balfe's Fiance?

The Irish actress is engaged to longtime boyfriend Tony McGill, which she confirmed at the 2018 Golden Globes. (Balfe was nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series–Drama, as she also was in 2016, 2017, and 2019.)

[No, she did not confirm at the 2018 Golden Globes - she announced it in People Magazine a few days BEFORE the Golden Globes. And she just wore a ring in the red carpet but HARDLY SAID ANYTHING in interviews (I mean did anyone even ask in the red carpet, I can’t remember?) in the GGs that “confirmed” she was engaged”]

"It happened over the break," Balfe told People. "I'm very happy."

The two have been together since at least 2015, as evidenced by this Instagram video of Balfe sitting on McGill's lap while she dazzles some friends with a tin whistle solo. (Playing the tin whistle in a pub might just be the most Irish thing...ever.)

[THEY POSTED DONAL’S IG VIDEO OF CAIT AND THE MAESTRO IN THE PUB WHERE SHE’S BLOWING A TIN WHISTLE as evidence. AND THE FACT THAT THEY FOUND IT, AGAIN, IS DEEP INVESTIGATION HAHAHA]

Tony McGill is, by most reports, a music producer—but it's a little confusing, since he's also been misidentified online as founding producer of the Australian caberet trio Combo Fiasco (FYI, that's a different Tony McGill).

[”...Tony McGill is, by most reports, a music producer—but it's a little confusing” - IM JUST GOING TO LEAVE THIS HERE]

"He's a very shy person and he doesn't like much talking about him," Balfe told host Ryan Tubridy on Ireland's The Late Late Show in February 2018, according to The Independent]. "I met him through one of my best friends, which I think is the best kind of introduction you can get."

Here's the couple one month after their engagement news broke, at an afterparty for the 2018 BAFTA Awards in London. Cute glasses, Tony.

[THEY POSTED THE LOVED UP PICS OF CAIT AND THE MAESTRO FROM 2018 BAFTA AWARDS LONDON and 2019 BAFTA PARTY LA]

In November of 2018, Balfe told Marie Claire that she and McGill will get married "as soon as I plan it." The deeply private couple has yet to confirm whether they've officially gotten hitched yet. 

[Again, just going to leave this here...]

So Who Is Sam Heughan Dating, Then?

As a perusal of Heughan's social media accounts will tell you, the Scottish actor may be even more secretive about his love life than Caitriona and Tony are. He shares little-to-no evidence of a lady in his life. Since 2018, Heughan has been romantically linked to Irish actress Amy Shiels, who Twin Peaks: The Return fans may recognize as Candie, one of the Mitchum Brothers' identical cocktail-dress-clad assistants.

Shiel refers to Heughan as "big brother" in this April 2018 birthday greeting, which...you know...isn't super girlfriend-y.

[THEY POSTED AMY’S BIRTHDAY IG POST FOR SAM WHERE THEY’RE HOLDING A DOG. Hahahaha, “isn't super girlfriend-y.” is right on the money.]

Her attendance at various Heughan-related events, such as The Spy Who Dumped Me film premiere in July 2018, had fueled the rumors, as did this dubious US Weekly "confirmation" that cites "multiple sources."

Heughan also previously dated American actress and singer MacKenzie Mauzy from at least 2015 to 2017. The two met at an "industry event," he told Harper's Bazaar in October 2017, and Heughan revealed that their relationship made Mauzy the target of trolling on social media.

"Initially, it is upsetting but, ultimately, it doesn't mean anything. It feels like a schoolyard thing," Heughan said at the time. That's a valid and likely reason he keeps his love life so under wraps. So bottom line? Outlander fans who want to see Heughan and Balfe together forreal will just have to make do with the dozens of times they've flirted on-camera.

[Alrighty, then. 😊]

FIN