Rylee Arnold and Walker Lyons Officially Confirm Romance, Sparking Swift-Kelce Comparisons
Rylee Arnold is officially in a relationship — and completely charmed — after publicly confirming her romance with Walker Lyons.
“Is this an official announcement?? 🤭❤️🔥,” Arnold wrote via Instagram in October 2024 alongside several photos with the USC football player at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
The Dancing With the Stars professional dancer shared exclusively with Us Weekly about her relationship with the tight end just a few days after their social media debut, hinting that Lyons needs to receive approval from her season 33 partner, Stephen Nedoroscik, before they move forward.
“I need Stephen’s blessing, don’t I?” Arnold joked to Us in October 2024. “But from what I’ve told [him], Stephen’s like, ‘Yeah. He’s an amazing guy,’ and he is, so it’s positive.”
DWTS’ Rylee Arnold Expresses Admiration for ‘Sweet and Humble Mystery Man’
Arnold was all smiles as she discussed her new boyfriend, particularly after discovering that her fans are drawing comparisons between them and Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.
“Honestly, [it’s] incredibly iconic,” Arnold told Us of the comparison. “Like, that’s my dream coming true. Walker’s a tight end. Travis Kelce’s a tight end. I love it.”
Scroll down to see Arnold and Lyons’ blossoming romance:
September 2024
@ryleearnold Getting ready for a date! 💅 #dashingdivapartner You can find these @Dashing Diva USA gel nail strips in store at @Ulta Beauty, @target and @Walmart! #colorthatmoves
♬ original sound – Rylee Arnold
“I have a date in a couple of hours or so,” Arnold said in a TikTok video, keeping the suitor’s identity concealed. “I’m slightly nervous for my date tonight because I’m in L.A. but it should be enjoyable.” That same month, the dancer told People that she was “currently unattached” and that she was enjoying it.
October 2024
Just one month after mentioning her date on TikTok, Arnold shared another “get ready with me” video for a date with someone new. “I am excited to go on this date,” she said in the October 3 video while applying her makeup. “I’ve never met him before, but we have several mutual acquaintances … interesting coincidences. And then we’ve just been exchanging messages a lot recently and I get to meet him tonight.”
Arnold revealed via an October 4 TikTok that she and the mystery man had spent two nights together. “It was so much fun,” she gushed about their first outing. “He was so easy to converse with. We have so many similarities.”
A few weeks later, Arnold officially announced her romance with Lyons via Instagram. She shared multiple photos with the college football player after attending one of his games in Los Angeles. (The pair have formed a connection based on their shared religious beliefs as Mormons.)
While the relationship is still in its early stages, Arnold exclusively told Us on October 29 that she can’t wait to go on a double date with her DWTS partner Nedoroscik and his girlfriend, Tess McCraken.
“We have a break and we’re definitely going on a double date,” Arnold said. The Olympic gymnast concurred, telling Us, “It’s definitely going to happen soon, especially with the four-day break coming up.”
November 2024
Arnold and Lyons made their red carpet debut at the Los Angeles premiere of Wicked. Speaking to Access Hollywood, Lyons commented that he had “easily the most beautiful” date.
December 2024
Following the conclusion of DWTS season 33, Arnold shared a carousel of images featuring Lyons from their various outings together. In one photo, Arnold smiled as she sat in Lyons’ lap, while in another image they embraced in the stands after his USC game. “Weekend reset ✨🤍😽,” Arnold wrote via Instagram.
December 2024
The couple traveled to Kauai, Hawaii, for a relaxing end-of-the-year vacation. “Sooooo happy!!!” Arnold captioned a sweet Instagram Story clip of the pair laying on the beach. After sharing additional clips and photos from the first day of their trip — from their plane ride to enjoying a delicious meal and taking a night swim — Arnold wrote, “Day 1 was 100/10 🥹🫶🏼.”
January 2025
Lyons appears to have won over the affection of Lindsay Arnold’s children too.
In an Instagram Story posted January 14, Rylee shared a photo of her boyfriend playing with sister Lindsay’s daughter Quincy.
“FaceTimed my favorites today,” she wrote while traveling for the Dancing With the Stars tour. “My heart can’t handle. Missing them SO MUCH!!!!”
April 2025
The couple celebrated their six-month anniversary with heartfelt tributes shared via their Instagram Stories. “Happy six months to my best friend,” Rylee gushed. “@walkerlyons is absolutely perfect.”
Rylee went on to describe their relationship as the “best six months of my life.”
December 2025
After Rylee accompanied Lyons on his family’s pre-Christmas vacation, the outing sparked speculation about an engagement.
“There was considerable speculation [from] this trip,” she said in a TikTok video, dismissing the rumors. “No, I am not engaged. … [I’m] without a ring. Seeing the videos of people believing I was made me chuckle a little bit.”
