Actress Shay Mitchell has revealed that she and her longtime partner, Matte Babel, have no plans to get married, explaining to their daughters that they function as committed partners without needing a traditional wedding or legal paperwork.
The Bottom Line
- Shay Mitchell and Matte Babel have been together since 2017 and share two daughters, Atlas and Rome.
- Mitchell recently explained on Khloe Kardashian’s show that she tells her children marriage is simply not something she wants or needs.
- The actress maintains that the daily, active choice to stay together keeps their relationship strong and exciting without any legal obligation.
Addressing Marriage Questions With Their Daughters
Shay Mitchell recently opened up about her long-term relationship with Matte Babel during an appearance on Khloe in Wonder Land, hosted by Khloe Kardashian, and reported by Just Jared. Following several years as friends, the former TV host, 46, and the actress, 39, began a romantic relationship in 2017, and today they are parents to two daughters: Rome, age 4, and Atlas, age 8.
Shay Mitchell Explains What She Tells Her 2 Daughters When They Ask Why She and Longtime Partner Matte Babel Aren’t Married https://t.co/CyRijzfppY
During the conversation, Mitchell discussed how she addresses the topic when her children ask why she and Babel are not married. She shared that the question comes up frequently, particularly when someone they know gets engaged or when the children consume traditional media stories where characters run off into the sunset with a prince.
To counter that singular narrative, Mitchell tells her children that marriage is not a requirement. “Mommy and Daddy are like partners, and I just didn’t want a wedding and just don’t need it. It’s not something that I want,” she told Kardashian, explaining how she frames the dynamic for her daughters.
CELEB NXT noted that after Mitchell explains her perspective, her children understand and accept the explanation as they process a different family dynamic than the ones typically shown in books and movies.
Valuing Personal Freedom and Daily Choice
Mitchell’s viewpoint on weddings does not stem from a negative family example. She pointed out that her own parents have shared an incredible relationship for 40 years, giving her a wonderful model of lifelong commitment.
Instead, she prefers the personal freedom that comes with an un-joined status. “I just love the freedom of like, ‘Hey, I’m choosing to be in this position with you right now.’ And as he is with me, too. And it just kind of works, you know?” she explained on the show.
This perspective mirrors statements Mitchell made during previous television appearances. Back in 2021, she noted there was “no pressure” to walk down the aisle, telling interviewers that the lack of legal paperwork keeps the relationship exciting because it relies entirely on daily choice rather than obligation.
“I love the fact that we come home and every day I’m like, ‘I choose you and you choose me.’ It keeps us on our toes. I’m like, ‘Hey, I can walk out. I don’t need to go through a lawyer, I can just walk out.’ And same with him. It keeps it sexy,” she said at the time. In 2024, she reiterated on the Today show that she never manifested getting married, emphasizing that Babel is an incredible father and a great partner.
| Milestone / Year | Details |
|---|---|
| 2017 | Shay Mitchell and Matte Babel begin dating after years of friendship. |
| 2021 | Mitchell states there is “no pressure” to marry, emphasizing daily choice. |
| 2024 | Mitchell shares on the Today show that she never manifested getting married. |
Returning to Television
Aside from discussing her family life and partnership choices, Mitchell is preparing for a return to television. CELEB NXT reported that the television star is slated to feature in a forthcoming revival of a well-known series scheduled for release in the coming months.
The couple continues to focus on raising their two daughters together while maintaining the partnership framework they have established over nearly a decade.
