Who Is Christopher Briney’s Girlfriend? All About Actress Isabel Machado

There are no love triangles in The Summer I Turned Pretty star Christopher Briney‘s life.

The actor has been happily dating his longtime girlfriend Isabel Machado since 2021. Two years later, in October 2023, Briney told PEOPLE the secret to their relationship: friendship.

“We were friends first,” he said. “We went to college together and we lived together. We knew that we could do it.”

In addition to showing their love for each other through heartfelt tributes online, Machado has been by Briney’s side for a handful of red carpet events, including the 2024 premiere of Mean Girls, where the actor played iconic high school heartthrob Aaron Samuels.

So, who is Christopher Briney’s girlfriend? Here’s everything to know about Isabel Machado and her relationship with the actor.

She’s from Chicago

Machado describes herself as “Chicago born” and “NY based” on her website as well as a “Foster Kitten Mom.”

“I believe that if you’re not feeling anything, you’re missing everything,” she wrote in her professional bio. “Wherever I go and whomever I’m with, I show up with heart (& a coffee).”

She and Briney met in college

Briney and Machado have had a long history since meeting in college. According to her resumé, Machado graduated from Pace University in 2020 with a BFA in acting, specializing in film, TV, voiceover and commercial.

She first began appearing on Briney’s Instagram feed as far back as 2018, when they dressed up for a group Halloween costume. The actor has also been a longtime staple on her Instagram, frequently featured in photos from group trips and nights out on the town in New York City.

She’s an actress and singer

Like Briney, Machado is in the entertainment industry, having appeared in a handful of independent and short films over the years. She even worked with Briney on a project when they both attended Pace.

In addition to acting, Machado is also a singer. She’s starred in a handful of local theater productions, including Hairspray, and lists singing in soprano as one of her special skills on her resume.

Her other listed talents include playing piano, dancing ballet and jazz and driving a stick shift.

Off-screen, Machado has worked in the service industry as a hostess and an event services agent in N.Y.C., per her LinkedIn.

Briney and Machado have been dating since 2021

Briney confirmed his relationship with Machado in June 2022 with an Instagram post celebrating their first anniversary. “a whole year!? i could never want anything else 💘,” he wrote in the caption.

In a since-deleted Instagram post, Machado celebrated their “feelingsiversary” the previous month, writing, “so glad we kiss now,” to which Briney replied, “i never want it any other way 💘💘💘.”

The couple regularly share glimpses of their relationship on social media, including cute tributes and flirty comments to each other. Under one photo Machado shared of herself in April 2023, Briney adorably wrote, “i love her,” in the comments.

Briney says Machado makes him feel confident

During an event in July 2023, Briney briefly talked about Machado when PEOPLE asked what makes him feel the most confident. “When my girlfriend tells me I’m pretty, I feel pretty,” he quipped.

“The biggest thing [she has told me] is just wear something that you think is cool,” Briney said when asked what Machado’s best style advice has been. “Not something that you think someone else thinks is cool. It’s hard to do that, easier said than done.”

She’s supportive of Briney’s career

Machado was on hand to support Briney at the N.Y.C. premiere of The Summer I Turned Pretty in June 2022.

“Get you some friends like these 😍,” he wrote alongside a photo of him and Machado hugging on the red carpet.

In January 2024, the actress was by Briney’s side again as he attended the premiere of Mean Girls, in which he starred as Aaron Samuels.

“We support each other in anything. It doesn’t matter … if it’s a hell yes, it’s a hell yes, and if [one of us] is going to do [something, the other] is going to support you,” Machado previously told PEOPLE of their support of one another in July 2023.