The Real Reason Bill Hader And Rachel Bilson Split
Actress Rachel Bilson and comedian Bill Hader made headlines in December 2019 when The O.C. alum was spotted in Hader's hometown of Tulsa, Okla. just in time for the holidays. According to TMZ, the unlikely pair was spotted grabbing a cup of coffee at Starbucks, where they were joined by Hader's family. In January 2020, the Hollywood stars confirmed they were an item when they made their debut as a couple on the Golden Globes red carpet.
Bilson and Hader starred in the 2013 movie The To Do List, but both stars were in relationships at the time. Years later, the two were both single and ready to mingle. In 2018, Hader split from his wife, Maggie Carey, per E! News, whom he shares three daughters with — Hannah, Harper, and Hayley. For her part, Bilson and actor Hayden Christensen called it quits in 2017 after 10 years together, per E! News, and they share daughter Briar Rose.
Even though the former Saturday Night Live star and Bilson seemed like they were happy in their new relationship, the two have gone their separate ways, a source told People in July 2020. So, what happened? We dissect their short but sweet time together below.
Rachel Bilson and Bill Hader 'amicably split'
Bill Hader and Rachel Bilson were first spotted out together in December 2019, but in July 2020, multiple sources confirmed to People that the Hollywood stars had "amicably split." However, another insider told E! News that Bilson is "absolutely devastated" over the breakup.
In early 2020, it seemed like the former flames were in a great place in their budding romance. "They spent Valentine's Day weekend in Orange County, Calif," an insider told E! News in February 2020. "It was a quick getaway, but time for the two of them to be together without any distractions. Rachel is very happy dating Bill and is excited about being with him." The source added, "He treats her very well and is hilarious and fun."
The Hart of Dixie star didn't take dating lightly as she had strict rules for any potential suitors. "[Briar] has not met anyone as of yet and it would have to be someone I know I'm going to be with ... It would have to be a very serious relationship," she told Nick Viall on his podcast, The Viall Files, in July 2019. "She's, like, my world, and I talk about her all the time."
"If you're going to pursue something with someone, they have to be interested in the kid or be, like, willing to, like, be around the kid," Bilson added. Luckily, Hader is a dad himself, so the pair were a perfect fit.
Bill Hader once bragged about playing Rachel Bilson's love interest in 'The To Do List'
Bill Hader and Rachel Bilson seemingly first crossed paths while working on the 2013 comedy The To Do List, which was directed by his ex-wife, Maggie Carey. In the flick, Amber (Bilson) and Willy (Hader) first meet at the pool, and later on, he ends up at Amber's house, where they have a little fun in the bedroom.
Even though Hader's character was a little off the beaten path, the actor didn't seem to mind. In fact, the Saturday Night Live veteran enjoyed not playing the stereotypical hunk that women fawn over. "I don't look like Scott Porter. It's like, 'No, you're not the hot guy in the movie,'" he told USA Today in July 2013. "You get to have sex with Rachel Bilson, but it's a mercy situation ... In a really bad poncho."
During a Q&A with Newsday in July 2013, the interviewer pointed out that it was "nice" of Hader's wife, Carey, to write a raunchy scene for him and Bilson. "Yes, well, you may've noticed, there was no kissing. We never kissed," Hader stated. Hmm ... perhaps that was on purpose?
Despite their sexy chemistry on-screen, Hader and Bilson couldn't make their relationship work in real life. Here's hoping #Bichel or #Racill will reconcile in the future. Anything is possible in Hollywood, right?
Rachel Bilson had a hard time dealing with the breakup
Rachel Bilson got candid about her feelings about her split with Bill Hader. During an episode of her podcast, "Broad Ideas with Rachel Bilson," the actor shared how the split was one of the worst experiences she had gone through.
She didn't mention Hader's name, but she said that she "went through a really hard breakup and it was during the pandemic," while chatting with guest Aubrey Plaza, per Vanity Fair. She went on to describe how the heartbreak shook up her day-to-day life. "I could not leave my house, you know what I mean? I had nothing else to do but sit in it, and deal with it and feel it. It was probably the hardest thing I've ever done, harder than childbirth." Bilson didn't mince her words, even explaining that the separation "hurt like a motherf*****," but she learned an important life lesson: "If you actually face it, you can come out of it and be like, 'OK, I did that and I'm ready for the next thing.'"
Meanwhile, Hader has mostly kept quiet about his personal affairs, because he wants to protect the privacy of his daughters as much as he can. "They just want me to be their dad," he told The Hollywood Reporter. "They just want me to sit and watch Encanto over and over and over again. So that's what I do."