Macaulay Culkin in the 1990s (left); Brenda Song in 2002’s ‘Get a Clue’ (right).Photo:Pierre Vauthey/Sygma/Corbis/Getty; Cinematic / Alamy
Pierre Vauthey/Sygma/Corbis/Getty; Cinematic / Alamy
Brenda Song andMacaulay Culkinhave a particularly unique relationship.
“It wasn’t one of the first things we connected on, but I think there was this unspoken understanding that we’ve had certain trauma that we both share that we didn’t even quite realize stems from us being child actors,” Songsaid. “Certain anxieties or stressors or even triggers that you don’t realize. You don’t realize as a kid, how much that affects you as an adult.”
Macaulay Culkin (left) and Brenda Song in 2024.Michelle Quance/Variety/Getty
Michelle Quance/Variety/Getty
Still, she said, she and Culkin, 44, had “very different” experiences since “he was the most famous child actor in the world.” Culkin found massive stardom after he starred in 1990’sHome Alone. He also starred in movies likeMy GirlandRichie Rich, as well asHome Alone 2.Song, meanwhile, worked regularly as a child star but didn’t receive widespread recognition until 2005’sThe Suite Life of Zack & Codyand the 2006 Disney Channel Original MovieWendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior.
Song said as she and Culkin got to know each other afterthey began dating in 2017, it was “fascinating” to see how different their experiences were. “[It] impacted how we look at our relationship with the industry now, how he looks at it and how I look at it,” she said. “I always say, like, I’ve been in this business for 33 years, and I still love it. Something must be wrong with me.”
Brenda Song (left) and Ashley Tisdale in ‘The Suite Life of Zack & Cody’ in 2005.WALT DISNEY TELEVISION / Album / Alamy
WALT DISNEY TELEVISION / Album / Alamy
“It’s also been really nice, though, to have someone who truly just really understands,” Song said of her relationship with Culkin. “He gets what I do on a different kind of level, and it’s been so nice. I’ve never had that before.” She added that she never dated another actor before.
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“I was not a cool girl. I was such a little nerd who sat at home,” theSocial Networkstar said. “Working so much as a kid, I just loved being home so much.” She also described herself as a “late bloomer” and noted that Culkin was the first boyfriend she ever brought home to her family.
Song and Culkin, who became involved while filming the indie movieChangeland,share two children, Dakota, 3, and Carson, 2. Theywent public with their engagementin 2022.
Song stars with Kate Hudsonin the new Netflix seriesRunning Point. Hudson’s character unexpectedly becomes the owner of her family’s basketball team. Song’s character is a high-level staffer in the organization.
Song also appeared in 2024’sThe Last Showgirland the 2023 Netflix seriesBlue Eye Samurai,and had a recent guest spot onShifting Gears.Culkin’s recent credits includeThe Righteous GemstonesandThe Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy,and he will appear in season 2 ofFallout.
Brenda Song in 2024.Monica Schipper/Getty
Monica Schipper/Getty
In March 2024,Song opened up to PEOPLEabout when she feels most beautiful — and how her partner is a key part of it.
source: people.com
