If you spent any time on the queer side of the internet in late 2023, you probably remember where you were when the "hard launch" happened. It was New Year’s Eve. A photo booth strip appeared on Instagram. Parvati Shallow—the legendary Survivor "black widow" and strategic mastermind—was kissing Mae Martin, the dry-witted Canadian comedian behind Feel Good.
The caption? "We’re here. We’re queer. Happy New Year."
It was a crossover event of Avengers-level proportions for fans of reality TV and prestige British comedy. But lately, things have gotten... complicated. If you've been checking their Instagram tags or lurking in the Handsome podcast subreddit, you know the vibes have shifted.
The Matchmaker and the Slow Burn
Most people think this was a random Hollywood hookup. It wasn't. It actually started years ago in the most relatable way possible: Mae Martin was a massive Survivor fangirl. Back in 2020, Mae tweeted about crying because they loved Parvati and Boston Rob so much. Honestly, same.
The actual link-up didn't happen until early 2023. We can thank Evan Ross Katz—the writer and unofficial historian of all things Survivor—for playing matchmaker.
They kept it quiet for eight months. Eight months of "breadcrumbing" on Mae’s podcast, Handsome, where they’d mention a "girlfriend" without a name. Meanwhile, eagle-eyed fans were spotting Mae in the background of Parvati’s photos at the beach or with Parvati’s daughter, Ama.
By the time they went public in December 2023, they weren't just "dating." They were deeply integrated into each other's lives. Parvati was coming out as queer for the first time publicly, and Mae was the person by her side as she "burned it all down" to start a new chapter after a messy divorce from fellow Survivor alum John Fincher.
Living Together and the "In Flux" Era
By mid-2024, the couple had moved in together. Parvati even posted videos of a gallery wall she’d built in their shared home, featuring art by her daughter and photos of her and Mae. It looked like the dream.
But then 2025 rolled around, and the tone changed.
In a January 2025 interview with People, Parvati dropped a phrase that sent the fanbase into a tailspin. She described the relationship as "an in flux situation."
"I’ve been through trying to fit myself into the structures of society and the definitions of dating and the definitions of relationships... I’m in this place of asking myself, what do I really want?"
That’s a lot of words for "it’s complicated."
The Book That Explained the Bedroom
If you want the real, unvarnished truth, you have to look at Parvati’s memoir, Nice Girls Don’t Win, released in July 2025. This wasn't your typical glossy celebrity bio. She went deep into the mechanics of her and Mae’s relationship, specifically how it challenged her perception of gender and performance.
She wrote about Mae being a "beautiful mix of boy and girl." She was incredibly candid about their physical intimacy, describing it as an "exploration for both of us" and a "field of infinite creative possibility."
It was a radical level of transparency. Usually, when celebs start talking that openly about the "work" and the "exploration," they’re either more solid than ever or they’re processing a transition.
Where do Mae and Parvati stand right now?
As of early 2026, the status is... murky.
Wikipedia lists them as partners from 2023–2024. Reddit sleuths (who are basically the FBI at this point) noticed they stopped following and refollowing each other throughout 2025.
However, they aren't totally out of each other's orbits. Mae recently mentioned on their podcast that they still spend time with Parvati’s daughter. They even went to a Halloween event at the kid's school because she specifically asked for Mae to be there.
That tells you everything you need to know about the quality of the person Mae Martin is. Even if the romantic "flux" resulted in a breakup, the family bond seems to have some staying power.
Why This Relationship Actually Mattered
This wasn't just celebrity gossip. For a lot of queer people, seeing Parvati Shallow—a woman who spent twenty years being defined by her "maneater" persona on TV—come out in her 40s was huge.
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It showed that life doesn't stop at a divorce. It showed that you can totally rewrite your identity at any age.
Mae Martin provided a safe, creative space for Parvati to do that. Whether they are currently "together" in the traditional sense or just two people who deeply changed each other’s lives, the impact is there.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're trying to keep up with the latest, here is how to actually get the real story:
- Listen to the Handsome Podcast: Mae is much more likely to drop a "life update" in a random tangent while talking to Tig Notaro and Fortune Feimster than they are to give a formal press release.
- Watch for the 2026 Juno Awards: Mae is hosting this year. Pay attention to the "thank yous" or any mentions of "family." It’s a huge career milestone for them.
- Read the Memoir: Seriously, Nice Girls Don't Win is the most context you will ever get on what that house in Los Angeles was actually like during their peak year together.
- Check the Follows: It sounds petty, but in the world of Mae and Parv, an "unfollow" has historically been a very loud signal of a rough patch.
Ultimately, they are two incredibly busy, high-functioning creatives. Parvati is back on the reality circuit with things like Deal or No Deal Island, and Mae is constantly touring. Sometimes "in flux" just means the world got too loud for a private love to survive.