Here’s Why 'Cobra Kai' Star Tanner Buchanan’s Girlfriend, Lizze Broadway, Looks So Familiar
Sparks flew when I watched Tanner Buchanan's character strike up a romance with Addison Rae's Padgett in He's All That. And on Cobra Kai, he is very convincing as Tory's love interest. But as impressed as I am by the solid on-screen chemistry, I imagine these fictional pairings don't hold a candle to his real-life relationship with Gen V star Lizze Broadway.
During his appearance on the Anna Faris Is Unqualified podcast in 2021, the 25-year-old actor confirmed he's currently in a relationship with Broadway. And while they typically keep their romance off social media, the happy couple have been going strong for nearly a decade.
It comes as no surprise, considering the How to Date Billy Walsh star's preferences when it comes to dating. He told Faris, "I like to be in long relationships. I've kind of always been that way. I like it, I know I like it and I'm happy with it."
Keep reading for more details on Tanner Buchanan's girlfriend. (Note: These two are notoriously private about their personal lives so much of the below is from old interviews and Instagram posts—as far as I know, Buchanan and Broadway are still together as there haven't been any updates saying they broke up.)
1. Tanner Buchanan's Girlfriend, Lizze Broadway, Is Also an Actress
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The 26-year-old Ohio native is best known for her role as Emma Meyer in The Boys spin-off, Gen V, but she has also made guest appearances in shows like Based on a True Story, Bones, Chicago P.D., The Rookie, NCIS, Splitting Up Together and Here and Now. Broadway has also starred in the Apple TV+ film Ghosted, opposite Chris Evans.
When asked about her experience with Ghosted director Dexter Fletcher, she told Collider, “I love him very much. When you're on set, he's just so excited, you know what I mean? He really saw something in me before I even saw myself. Because he was also an actor before he was a director, so I felt very seen by him. In that moment, just us collaborating together, he's like, ‘You're on the right path, kid.’ And I think I needed to hear that from someone who's—I mean, he’s Dexter Fletcher, you know?”
2. Broadway Almost Chose a Different Career
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Although Broadway has made a name for herself in Hollywood, it turns out that acting wasn't her first career choice. Initially, she wanted to follow in her mother's footsteps and study computer science.
She told Collider in 2023, “I acted when I was younger, but just as a hobby. I didn't know if I necessarily wanted to do it. And then, four years ago, I had a friend who was in the industry, and I was like, ‘Okay, either I'm gonna be a computer science engineer or an actor.’ So I was like, ‘Okay, I'll give myself five years,’ and this was fall of 2019. Now I'm sitting here with you. So, in a way, I kind of fell into it and this is my time of taking it seriously.”
3. She's a Huge Kathy Bates Fan
During her appearance on Collider Ladies Night in 2023, Broadway was asked to share a particular performance or scene that made her want to pursue acting. Without missing a beat, she responded, Kathy Bates in Titanic.
Broadway added, "She's just phenomenal. I think I just remember watching that movie and just being like, 'Who is this person?' Honestly, like if I met Kathy Bates I would forget my name and just bow to her."
4. Broadway and Buchanan Have Been Dating Since They Were Kids
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During his interview with Faris, Buchanan confirmed that he and Broadway have been together since they were teenagers, although the exact timeline is unclear.
Buchanan did reveal that he ended a two-year relationship when he was starting high school. He then reportedly took a break from the dating scene for about a year, so it's likely that he and Broadway became an item during his sophomore year.
5. They Briefly Broke Up Around 2015
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Buchanan told Faris that when he was around 17 years old, he and Broadway had a devastating breakup.
He said, "For probably about a month and a half straight I would cry every night. I don't mean just like cry, I mean like bawl [until] I tired myself out and just made myself go to sleep. I would put on repeat The Fault in Our Stars."
Buchanan also confessed that his behavior was to blame for their split. He added, “I will admit, it was my fault. I was actually kind of being an a** during that time. So she had every right to [break up with me]. I don’t know what it was inside of me that felt like I could act the certain way that I was acting, but I did anyway. Then I was devastated.”
Fortunately for Buchanan, his sadness was short-lived. Broadway told Faris, “He gave me an ultimatum and I was too afraid to lose you. You’re like, ‘I can’t talk to you anymore if we don’t get back together.’” The happy couple have remained together ever since.
6. They're Went Instagram Official in 2017 (Sort Of)
Even before his chat with Harris, Buchanan took to Instagram in 2017 and confirmed that he's off the market. But rather than sharing a photo of his partner, the Cobra Kai star gave fans a glimpse of his romantic set-up for her visit, featuring candles and rose petals in a dimly lit room. He captioned the post, "What you do when the person you love comes to visit. @lizzebroadway."
7. They Deleted Their IG Posts, Leading to Breakup Rumors
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While the pair were spotted on multiple occasions in Los Angeles, California, they've deleted the few pics they had of each other on Instagram, causing many to suspect they had broken up a second time—but it only turned out to be a rumor.
In 2021, Just Jared shared pics of the happy couple enjoying a romantic getaway in Venice, Italy—including one PDA pic where they share a kiss.
8. Buchanan Gushed About His Girlfriend in a GQ Interview
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When a fan asked Buchanan if he had a girlfriend in a Q&A segment in 2021, Buchanan responded, “Yes, I do. Her name is Elizabeth Broadway. Most people know her as Lizze Broadway. And she's absolutely wonderful.”
9. They Currently Share a YouTube Channel
The pair started a YouTube channel together in 2019, and their about page reads, "We don't know what the heck we are doing, but come along on our journey as we figure it out. x"
Although the page has over 30,000 subscribers, the couple has only posted one video from their visit to Comic Con in 2019. In it, they document their silly moments behind the scenes with the Cobra Kai cast, including William Zabka and Xolo Mariduena.
The couple has likely avoided the public eye in recent years to keep their relationship private, but if I hear any new updates, you'll be the first to know.
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