Slow Dating Is The New Celebrity Secret

“Slow dating” has gained traction among celebrities, and is poised to become the biggest dating trend of 2026.

“While I don’t embrace every new dating trend, slow dating is absolutely the way to go and one of the new trends for 2026,” says celebrity matchmaker Susan Trombetti, CEO of Exclusive Matchmaking. “When you slow date, it eliminates ghosting, dating burnout and fatigue, as well as endless dates based only on sexual attraction.”

Slow dating is “taking over Hollywood,” according to Trombetti, because even celebrities with endless options are frustrated by false starts, situationships, and “its complicated” relationships.

“You only need to look at Kylie Jenner and Timothee Chalamet and the Christmas gingerbread house this year, and you have a perfect example of slow dating,” she says, referring to Kris Jenners gingerbread house with the names of her children, their partners, and grandchildren printed on the roof.

“Stars like Zendaya and Tom Holland, Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes, and Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons all built successful relationships away from the spotlight, focusing on emotional connection. These couples didnt rush milestones. They let trust, chemistry, and compatibility lead the way,” Trombetti says.

According to Trombetti, slow dating is intentional, and means:

“Dating one person at a time to find out if they are compatible while giving chemistry time to develop; developing chemistry over time instead of leaning into sexual attraction alone; waiting longer before physical intimacy; prioritizing conversations about values, lifestyle, and goals; and observing consistency over time.”

Slow dating also means “limiting app overload and constant texting with endless dates that don’t look like their photos and go nowhere,” she says.

“Remember, actions speak louder than words,” Trombetti says. “The right person wont rush you, and you will feel like it’s right. There will be no second guessing and running to your friends for advice.”

Relationships that begin with slow dating produce “strong bonding as a couple; fewer toxic dating patterns; more commitment-minded coupling; and are longer lasting,” she says.

“As a matchmaker, I see dating fatigue every day. People are exhausted from whirlwind dating. They are tired of numerous first dates that go nowhere, ghosting (which we hope is out this year), and emotional burnout,” she says. “In a dating culture obsessed with instant gratification, slow dating might just be the smartest move you can make this year.”