Lindsey Shaw and Devon Werkheiser: Why This 20-Year Friendship Still Keeps Us Guessing

Lindsey Shaw and Devon Werkheiser: Why This 20-Year Friendship Still Keeps Us Guessing

If you grew up during the golden era of Nickelodeon, the chemistry between Ned Bigby and Moze wasn't just some TV trope. It felt real. Probably because, as we later found out, it was real. But let’s be honest—the saga of Lindsey Shaw and Devon Werkheiser has become way more complicated than anything Scott Fellows ever wrote for Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide.

Most child stars vanish. They go to college, get a "real" job, or maybe they just stop being interesting. That didn’t happen here. Instead, Lindsey and Devon have spent the last few years essentially peeling back their own skin on the internet, showing us the messy, sometimes uncomfortable reality of what happens when two people are bonded by childhood fame, a teenage romance, and a decade of shared baggage.

What’s the deal with their "secret" history?

People always suspected they were more than friends back in 2004. They were. Lindsey recently confirmed that they dated during the final months of filming and for about a year after the show wrapped. But this wasn't a "clean" breakup. It was a first love, which we all know is usually a beautiful disaster.

During their podcast, Ned’s Declassified Podcast Survival Guide, Lindsey got incredibly vulnerable about how that era felt. She wasn't just a teen star; she was someone struggling with a BPD diagnosis and substance abuse issues that would eventually lead to her being written off Pretty Little Liars. Devon, meanwhile, was the guy who stayed in her orbit.

Honestly, it’s kinda rare to see this level of transparency. Usually, actors give you the "we're still great friends" PR line. Not these two. They’ve openly discussed the "toxic" nature of their past codependency. Lindsey has even admitted to having nightmares about Devon—not because he’s a villain, but because of the emotional weight he carries in her subconscious.

The Podcast Era: Why things got weird

When they launched their rewatch podcast with Daniel Curtis Lee (Cookie), fans were stoked. Then, the "BJ" episode happened.

💡 You might also like: Adriana Lima Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2024: What Most People Get Wrong

Yeah, that’s a thing that actually happened. In a move that polarized the internet, Lindsey and Devon went into graphic detail about their sexual history on set, specifically an encounter during a lunch break. It was a lot. Some fans loved the raw honesty; others felt it was a desperate grab for "adult" relevance. It definitely shattered the childhood innocence of the show for anyone who was still holding onto it.

But the real test for Lindsey Shaw and Devon Werkheiser came in early 2024.

The "Quiet on Set" Controversy

This was a huge turning point. During a TikTok Live, the trio was asked about the Quiet on Set documentary, which exposed horrific abuse at Nickelodeon. They hadn't seen it yet. They made some jokes. Devon made a particularly ill-timed joke about "giving me your holes" to Daniel, which looked incredibly insensitive in the context of Drake Bell's revelations.

🔗 Read more: River of Time: Why Naomi Judd’s Final Book is Hard to Read but Impossible to Ignore

The backlash was instant. Drake Bell himself called them out.

It was a "we f***ed up" moment of massive proportions. To their credit, they didn't just delete the video and hide. They released a 45-minute episode addressing it. Devon looked genuinely gutted. Lindsey apologized for compounding anyone's trauma. It showed the world that while they are adults, they’re still navigating the weird, insulated bubble of being former child stars.

Where do they stand in 2026?

As of January 2026, the status of Lindsey Shaw and Devon Werkheiser is essentially "family." They aren't dating—despite some of the "Little Ned" pranks they’ve pulled on TikTok to bait the algorithm. They are coworkers and lifelong friends who seem to have moved past the toxicity.

Recently, the cast shared some heavy news regarding their former co-star Tylor Chase (who played Ned's rival, Loomer). They revealed they’ve had to step back from trying to help him due to his own personal struggles, citing the need for their own "sanity and well-being." It’s a sobering reminder that the Ned's Declassified crew isn't just a nostalgic memory; they are real people dealing with very heavy, real-world issues.

👉 See also: Charlize Theron Playboy Pictorial: What Really Happened With Those 1999 Photos

Lessons from the "Ned & Moze" Saga

If you’re looking for a takeaway from the Lindsey and Devon story, it’s probably about the complexity of long-term relationships.

  • Growth isn't linear: You can be friends with an ex, but it takes a massive amount of therapy and boundaries.
  • The "Child Star" lens is warped: Everything they do is filtered through who they were at 14. That’s a heavy cloak to wear.
  • Accountability matters: When they messed up regarding the Nickelodeon documentary, the fact that they faced it head-on (even if the joke was awful) kept their community intact.

The reality is that Lindsey Shaw and Devon Werkheiser probably won't ever be able to fully escape each other. When you go through something as specific as a hit TV show in your teens, that person becomes a mirror for your entire life.

If you want to keep up with them without the filter of gossip sites, the best move is to actually listen to the Ned’s Declassified Podcast Survival Guide. It’s where they’re doing the real work of deconstructing their past. Just be prepared—it’s definitely not for kids anymore.

Take Actionable Steps:

  • Check the Source: If you see a "dating" rumor on TikTok, verify it against their latest podcast episodes. They often troll for views.
  • Support Sobriety Content: Lindsey’s journey with mental health and sobriety is arguably the most valuable thing she’s sharing right now.
  • Watch the Apology: If you’re still mad about the 2024 controversy, watch Episode 58 of their podcast. It provides the context missing from the 15-second viral clips.