Chace Crawford Overcomes ‘Pretty Boy’ Label Through ‘The Boys’ Role

Chace Crawford, widely recognized for his role as Nate Archibald on Gossip Girl, experienced significant challenges in escaping the 'pretty boy' typecast that followed his early success, limiting his opportunities for more complex roles. He described this period as feeling like being in a prison or wilderness, where public perception and industry typecasting hindered his career growth despite his desire for grittier characters. Crawford's breakthrough came with his role as The Deep on Amazon Prime's The Boys, a dark comedic superhero satire, which allowed him to showcase a different side of his acting range and revitalized his career. He found the role appealing due to its originality and connection to familiar personality traits, and he credits the show's creator Eric Kripke's involvement in auditions for boosting his confidence. Beyond his professional life, Crawford's romantic relationships have also attracted public interest, including his current relationship with model Kelsey Merritt, confirmed in early 2025. His prior relationships with notable figures such as Rebecca Rittenhouse, Audrina Patridge, and Carrie Underwood reflect a varied dating history that has been followed by fans.