Shay Mitchell Boyfriend: Meet Matte Babel, Her Longtime Partner and Father of Her Two Daughters

Canadian actress and entrepreneur Shay Mitchell continues to attract attention for her relationship with longtime boyfriend Matte Babel, particularly because the couple has chosen to remain unmarried despite nearly a decade together. As of October 2026, the Pretty Little Liars star and the former television host have been romantically involved since 2017 and share two daughters, Atlas Noa and Rome. Mitchell has also spoken openly about why she prefers calling Babel her partner rather than her husband.

Their relationship stands out because they were friends for years before becoming romantically involved. While Mitchell has built a successful career in acting and business, Babel has established himself in entertainment management and brand development. Together, they have created a family while maintaining their own professional identities.

Who Is Shay Mitchell’s Boyfriend?

Shay Mitchell’s boyfriend is Matte Babel, a Canadian television personality and business executive.

He is best known for his earlier work as an entertainment host and his subsequent career in media management.

Babel was born on October 13, 1980, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

He studied at Wilfrid Laurier University, where he pursued communications and sociology.

His professional career began in television, where he developed experience interviewing celebrities and covering entertainment events.

He later transitioned into business and brand management.

Although he is frequently recognized as Mitchell’s partner, Babel has built an independent career in the entertainment industry.

How Did Shay Mitchell Meet Matte Babel?

Shay Mitchell and Matte Babel reportedly knew each other for approximately nine years before their relationship became romantic.

Both grew up in Ontario, Canada, and developed connections through Toronto’s entertainment community.

Their friendship began long before Mitchell became internationally famous for Pretty Little Liars.

Over the years, they maintained contact while pursuing different professional opportunities.

Their relationship eventually changed from friendship to romance in 2017.

The couple initially kept their dating life relatively private.

As their relationship became more serious, they gradually began appearing together publicly.

Their longstanding friendship helped create a foundation of familiarity and trust.

When Did Shay Mitchell and Matte Babel Start Dating?

Shay Mitchell and Matte Babel began dating in 2017.

At the time, Mitchell was already widely recognized for portraying Emily Fields in Pretty Little Liars.

Babel had established himself through television and entertainment-related work.

Their relationship attracted increasing public attention as they began sharing personal milestones.

However, the couple avoided making their romance the central focus of their public careers.

They became more open about their relationship as they prepared to welcome their first child.

By 2019, their family life had become an important part of Mitchell’s public story.

As of October 2026, they have been together for approximately nine years.

What Does Matte Babel Do for a Living?

Matte Babel has worked in television, media production and entertainment management.

He first gained recognition as a video jockey for the Canadian music television channel MuchMusic.

His work involved presenting entertainment programming and interviewing musicians and other celebrities.

He subsequently worked with television outlets including CP24 and ET Canada.

These opportunities helped him develop relationships throughout the entertainment industry.

Babel later moved into brand strategy and business management.

He has held senior marketing and branding responsibilities at DreamCrew, a company associated with Canadian rapper Drake.

His work has involved developing entertainment-related business opportunities and supporting brand initiatives.

He has also been connected to strategic discussions involving Mitchell’s business ventures.

Matte Babel’s Connection to Drake

One of the most recognizable aspects of Matte Babel’s professional career is his connection to rapper Drake.

Both men are from Toronto and have longstanding ties to the Canadian entertainment industry.

Babel has worked with DreamCrew, a media and management company connected to Drake’s business activities.

His responsibilities have included branding, marketing and entertainment development.

The position reflects his transition from television presenting to business leadership.

Although Babel’s relationship with Mitchell receives considerable attention, his work with DreamCrew has helped establish his professional reputation.

His career demonstrates experience across several areas of the entertainment industry.

Do Shay Mitchell and Matte Babel Have Children?

Shay Mitchell and Matte Babel are parents to two daughters, Atlas Noa Babel and Rome Babel. Their eldest daughter, Atlas, was born in October 2019, while their younger daughter, Rome, arrived in May 2022.

The couple welcomed Atlas after Mitchell publicly shared her pregnancy journey.

Her arrival marked a significant personal milestone for both parents.

Mitchell later announced that she was expecting another child in February 2022.

Their second daughter was born a few months later.

The actress chose the name Rome in honor of her grandmother, Romaine, who had passed away earlier that year.

The meaningful tribute reflected Mitchell’s close connection to her family.

Both children have occasionally appeared in family photographs and social media content.

However, Mitchell and Babel also maintain boundaries around their daughters’ privacy.

Why Haven’t Shay Mitchell and Matte Babel Married?

Shay Mitchell has repeatedly explained that she does not feel marriage is necessary for a successful relationship.

Despite being together since 2017 and raising two children, the couple has not announced wedding plans.

Mitchell has said that she never strongly imagined herself having a traditional wedding.

Instead, she values the relationship she and Babel have developed.

The actress has also explained that remaining unmarried creates a sense of independence within their partnership.

She believes that choosing to stay together every day can be more meaningful than relying on a formal marriage label.

Her comments have attracted attention because they challenge traditional expectations about relationships and parenthood.

For Mitchell, commitment is defined by shared responsibilities and emotional connection rather than marital status.

Shay Mitchell’s Views on Relationships

Mitchell has discussed her relationship philosophy in several interviews, including conversations about marriage and motherhood.

She prefers describing Matte Babel as her partner.

The actress has suggested that maintaining independence helps keep their relationship strong.

She also believes that relationships require continuous effort, regardless of whether a couple is legally married.

Her approach reflects a desire to maintain both personal freedom and a stable family environment.

Although some fans have questioned whether the couple will eventually marry, Mitchell has not indicated that a wedding is a priority.

Instead, she remains focused on raising her daughters and continuing her professional career.

Shay Mitchell’s Career and Business Ventures

Shay Mitchell was born on April 10, 1987, in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.

She gained international recognition through her role as Emily Fields in Pretty Little Liars.

The television series aired from 2010 to 2017 and established her as a prominent young actress.

She later appeared in projects including You and Dollface.

Beyond acting, Mitchell has developed a successful entrepreneurial career.

She founded BÉIS, a travel and lifestyle accessories company known for luggage, bags and organizational products.

The brand has grown into a recognizable name within the travel accessories market.

Mitchell has also explored other business opportunities and entertainment projects.

Her travel-focused series Thirst introduced audiences to different destinations and drinking cultures.

These ventures have helped establish her identity beyond acting.

Shay Mitchell and Matte Babel’s Relationship Today

As of October 2026, Shay Mitchell and Matte Babel remain publicly known as longtime partners.

Their relationship has lasted approximately nine years and includes the shared responsibility of raising two young daughters.

Both continue pursuing demanding professional careers while maintaining their family life.

Mitchell remains active in entertainment and entrepreneurship, while Babel works in media and brand management.

Although they have not married, the actress has consistently expressed satisfaction with their relationship.

Their longstanding friendship, shared Canadian background and commitment to parenting have remained important parts of their story.

For Mitchell and Babel, their relationship demonstrates that building a family does not necessarily require following traditional expectations surrounding marriage.