Ali Kolbert Girlfriend: Latest on Lauren McCarthy in 2026
Hey there, comedy fans! If you’re curious about the love life of the hilarious Ali Kolbert, you’re not alone. Known for her sharp wit and relatable humor, Ali has spent 2026 lighting up comedy stages across the country, with a steady run of club dates on the books through the rest of the year. She’s also been developing her original spec script ME, YOU AND DREW, with her set to star, produced by Red Crown and Debbie Liebling and directed by Carlson Young.
Let’s dive in with warmth, respect, and a sprinkle of Ali’s signature humor to uncover the details.
Who Is Ali Kolbert?
For those new to her, Ali Kolbert is a stand-up comedian, writer, and podcast host born on September 18, 1993, in the United States, making her 32 for most of 2026 before turning 33 later this month. A proud Virgo, she kicked off her comedy career at just 17 while studying at NYU Tisch.
Since then, she’s appeared on major platforms like The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Today Show, and Late Night with Seth Meyers. Her podcast, The Ali Kolbert Show, remains a fan favorite, blending humor with candid conversations about life, love, and mental health.
Ali is Jewish and openly identifies as a lesbian, both of which shape a lot of her comedy — her material often draws on personal experience with a clever, post-therapy sensibility. She’s built her career through stand-up, writing, and acting, including an early role in the 2013 short film The Girl and the Devil.
Who Is Ali Kolbert’s Girlfriend?
Ali Kolbert’s current girlfriend is Lauren McCarthy. In a June 2024 episode of the Girls Gotta Eat podcast, Ali appeared alongside Lauren, where they shared their heartwarming friends-to-partners love story. They discussed how their relationship evolved from a long-standing friendship, navigating the challenges of coming out, and setting boundaries as they transitioned to romance.
Both had been engaged to men previously, and they spoke candidly about ending those engagements when they realized they weren’t right. Ali and Lauren emphasized how their relationship felt natural and effortless, with Lauren noting that “commitment can and should come easy” when it’s with the right person. Their open conversation highlighted a deep connection, making it clear that Lauren McCarthy is Ali’s partner as of the most recent updates.
However, there’s been some confusion in older reports about Ali’s love life. In 2022, Ali was engaged to Julien Pell, as she confirmed on The Adam Carolla Show. She shared lighthearted details about their relationship, including a 2021 Instagram post celebrating their one-year anniversary with the caption, “One year of you.”
Julien appeared on The Ali Kolbert Show in episodes like “Dating Men vs. Women” in February 2022 and a December 2022 episode discussing wedding plans. But there’s no mention of Julien in Ali’s public updates after 2022, and her appearance with Lauren McCarthy in 2024 suggests that her engagement to Julien likely ended.
There’s no definitive public confirmation of a breakup, but the shift to Lauren indicates a new chapter in Ali’s life.
Inside Ali and Lauren’s Friends-to-Partners Story
Ali and Lauren McCarthy first shared their story publicly in a 2024 episode of the Girls Gotta Eat podcast, describing how their relationship grew out of a long-standing friendship. They talked about navigating the challenges of coming out, setting boundaries as things shifted from friendship to romance, and the fact that both had previously been engaged to men before realizing those relationships weren’t right for them.
They described their connection as feeling natural rather than forced — the kind of relationship where commitment comes easily once you’re with the right person. That episode remains the most-cited source for their relationship timeline, and clips from it still circulate regularly on TikTok.
What Happened to Ali’s Engagement to Julien Pell?
Back in 2022, Ali was engaged to Julien Pell, which she confirmed publicly on The Adam Carolla Show and discussed on her own podcast, including a 2022 episode dedicated to wedding planning. There’s no public record of Julien in Ali’s life after 2022, and her relationship with Lauren, first confirmed in 2024, points to that engagement having ended sometime in between — though Ali has never issued a formal breakup statement, so the exact details remain unconfirmed.
Clearing Up Dating Rumors
You might have come across names like Eliana Goldin in fan searches or online chatter. To be clear: there’s no verified connection between Ali and anyone by that name, or any other rumored partner beyond Julien Pell and Lauren McCarthy. Older posts from 2019–2021 describing Ali as single predate both of her confirmed relationships and shouldn’t be treated as current. Her dating history before Julien remains largely undocumented.
What’s Next for Ali Kolbert
Ali’s stand-up calendar stretches well into the back half of 2026, with club dates continuing into the fall and additional shows already on the books for December. Her screenwriting debut, ME, YOU AND DREW, is still moving through production, marking her first major push into scripted work as both writer and lead. Meanwhile, The Ali Kolbert Show keeps churning out episodes mixing humor with honest talk about dating and mental health.
Whether she’s joking about same-sex date etiquette on stage or talking through her relationship with Lauren on someone else’s podcast, Ali’s work keeps circling back to the same thing: authenticity, delivered with a laugh.
Conclusion
Based on the latest updates, Lauren McCarthy is the special person in Ali’s life, with their friends-to-lovers story capturing hearts on the Girls Gotta Eat podcast in June 2024. While Ali was previously engaged to Julien Pell in 2022, her relationship with Lauren marks a new, joyful chapter.
As she continues to shine on stage and screen, fans can celebrate her happiness with Lauren. For now, let’s cheer for Ali and Lauren as they navigate their relationship with the same humor and heart that defines Ali’s comedy.
