Everything you need to know about Joe Keery aka Steve Harrington and his real-life love interest

Joe Keery, best known for portraying the charismatic Steve Harrington in Netflix's Stranger Things, maintains a notably private personal life amid his rising stardom as an actor and musician under the alias Djo. Born on April 24, 1992, in Newburyport, Massachusetts, Keery has transitioned from a high school theater enthusiast to a multifaceted performer, with his career spanning TV, film, and music since his breakthrough in 2016.

While fans speculate endlessly about his relationships, verified details reveal a low-key approach to romance, shaped by past connections and a deliberate distance from public scrutiny.

From Newburyport roots to Stranger Things stardom

Keery grew up attending River Valley Charter School and Newburyport High School before studying theater at DePaul University in Chicago. He auditioned for Jonathan Byers in Stranger Things but landed the role of Steve Harrington, evolving from a stereotypical jock to the series' emotional anchor across five seasons (2016–2025).


Post-Stranger Things, Keery starred in films like Spree (2020), Free Guy (2021) with Ryan Reynolds, and FX's Fargo Season 5 as Gator Tillman (2023–2024), while his Djo music project went viral with ‘End of Beginning’ on TikTok in 2024.

Relationship with Maika Monroe

Keery was previously in a relationship with actress Maika Monroe, known for It Follows and Longlegs, from around 2017 to early 2023. They met on the set of the 2017 romantic comedy After Everything, co-starring in the indie film that showcased their on-screen chemistry.

The couple kept their romance out of the spotlight, with rare public sightings at events like the 2022 Vanity Fair Oscar Party. No official breakup statement emerged, but by 2023, reports indicated they had parted ways amicably, allowing both to focus on individual projects like Monroe's horror hits and Keery's Fargo role.

As of late 2025, Joe Keery appears to be single, with no confirmed public relationship. He rarely addresses his personal life in interviews, prioritizing privacy amid Stranger Things Season 5's buzz and his music career.

Rumors occasionally link him to co-stars or music collaborators, but he consistently avoids fueling speculation.