Disney Channel star Malachi Barton has won over millions of young fans worldwide with his charismatic performances, sharp comic timing, and infectious energy. From his breakout childhood role as Beast Diaz on Stuck in the Middle to starring as Colby Madden / Flashform on The Villains of Valley View and joining the hit franchise in Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires, Barton has established himself as one of his generation’s premier young talents.
As his popularity continues to skyrocket on and off the screen, fans are naturally curious about his personal life. Who is Malachi Barton dating? Does the young actor have a girlfriend, or is he currently single?
As of 2026, Malachi Barton is publicly single. While rumor mills frequently link him to famous co-stars and social media creators, Barton has repeatedly clarified that he is taking time for himself to focus on his growing acting career, music production, and personal development.
Below is a detailed, fact-checked breakdown covering Malachi Barton’s early life, dating history, net worth updates, personal assets, and upcoming entertainment projects.
Early Life & Background
Malachi Barton’s entry into show business was natural, stemming from a creative and musically gifted family.
- A Musically Gifted Household: Born in Virginia Beach and raised in Los Angeles, Barton grew up surrounded by music. His mother, Felicia Barton, gained fame as a finalist on Season 8 of American Idol and subsequently established a successful career writing songs for major pop artists. His father, Loren Barton, works in the music industry as a guitarist and tour manager.
- Child Commercial Success: Barton started acting in commercials when he was just four years old, appearing in national campaigns for major brands like Lay’s Potato Chips, McDonald’s, and Walgreens.
- Disney Channel Stardom: At age nine, Barton scored a main cast role in Disney Channel’s Stuck in the Middle, playing Beast Diaz alongside Ariana Greenblatt and Jenna Ortega. His natural charisma made him a mainstay on the network, leading to starring roles in Disney Channel Original Movies such as Under Wraps (2021) and Under Wraps 2 (2022), as well as The Villains of Valley View.
Is Malachi Barton Dating Anyone? Relationship Status & Rumors
Despite his high-profile social media presence and close connections with fellow Disney Channel stars, Malachi Barton is currently single.
In public interviews, Barton addressed his romantic status, explaining that after experiencing non-public relationships during his early teen years, he consciously chose to step back from dating to focus on his burgeoning career.
“I’m single… You have been in relationships, and so it’s like I want to take time; I don’t want to tie myself down right now. That doesn’t mean I want to go around. I’m at a chill spot.”
Debunking Popular Dating Rumors & Co-Star Links
Over the years, fan communities have linked Barton to several of his co-stars and celebrity friends. However, Barton has directly addressed these claims:
- Freya Skye: After starring together as romantic interests in Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires, fan speculation surged. However, both Barton and British singer Freya Skye clarified that they share a strictly platonic friendship. Barton has described Skye as being like a sister to him, noting that their mothers are also close friends.
- Ariana Greenblatt: Having played siblings on Stuck in the Middle, Barton and Greenblatt built a lifelong bond. Fans often misinterpret their supportive posts as romantic, but both actors have affirmed that they view each other purely as family.
- Ruby Rose Turner: Early in his Disney career, rumors suggested Barton was dating co-star Ruby Rose Turner. Barton later revealed he merely had a innocent elementary school crush on her during their childhood years, and they remain close friends.
- Celebrity Crush on Madelyn Cline: Barton has openly shared his long-standing crush on Outer Banks star Madelyn Cline, revealing in podcast appearances that he has been a fan of her work for years.
Relationship Timeline & Dating History
While Barton keeps his private life away from tabloids, his comments and media appearances offer a clear picture of his romantic history.
Relationship Timeline
| Year / Period | Milestone / Event | Details & Context |
| 2020–2022 | Early Teen Private Dating | Maintained quiet, non-public relationships during middle school and early high school. |
| 2023–2024 | Conscious Shift to Single Life | Decided to focus on career growth, music production, and personal projects. |
| 2025 | Zombies 4 On-Screen Romance | Paired on-screen with co-star Freya Skye; clarified off-screen relationship is strictly platonic. |
| 2026–Present | Solo Focus & Creative Ventures | Publicly single; balancing acting, automotive hobbies, and music composition. |
Dating History Overview
| Individual | Relationship Period | Status | Summary & Notes |
| Private Past Partners | Early Teen Years | Ex-Girlfriends | Barton acknowledged having two non-public relationships during his early school years. |
| Ariana Greenblatt | 2016–Present | Best Friends | Stuck in the Middle co-stars; platonic friendship. |
| Freya Skye | 2024–Present | Co-Stars / Close Friends | Zombies 4 co-stars; shut down dating rumors, describing their bond as sibling-like. |
| Ruby Rose Turner | Childhood | Friends | Childhood friends; Barton admitted to a childhood crush. |
Navigating Romance and Privacy in Young Hollywood
Navigating young fame under constant digital scrutiny requires a delicate balance. For child stars growing up on screens, fans often conflate on-screen chemistry with real-life romance. Barton’s deliberate choice to keep his personal life private reflects a growing trend among young actors who prefer to let their work speak for itself.
Following how young stars navigate personal boundaries mirrors public interest in other celebrity dynamics, such as tracking Hollywood relationship rumors and reading updates on celebrity dating histories.
Malachi Barton Net Worth Updates & Personal Assets
As of 2026, Malachi Barton’s net worth is estimated at $2 million. His wealth accumulation is driven by a decade of steady television roles, feature films, commercial sponsorships, and music publishing.
Key Assets and Financial Drivers
- Disney Channel Salary & Residuals: With starring roles across multiple seasons of Stuck in the Middle and The Villains of Valley View, alongside lead roles in the Under Wraps film franchise and Zombies 4, Barton has earned consistent actor paychecks and international syndication residuals.
- Commercial & Brand Endorsements: Starting as a child model, Barton’s work with global brands like McDonald’s and Lay’s provided early financial stability.
- Automotive Passion: An avid car enthusiast, Barton frequently shares his love for automobiles online, leading fans to jokingly comment that he is “dating his BMW” due to his passion for customizing his vehicle.
Analyzing the financial growth of young television stars aligns with tracking broader entertainment profiles, such as examining actor net worth milestones or following movie star relationship updates.
Future Goals and Upcoming Projects
Benson Barton’s transition from child actor to versatile adult performer is well underway.
- Expansion Beyond Disney: While continuing his work with Disney, Barton is actively auditioning for independent feature films and mature dramatic series.
- Music Production & Writing: Influenced by his parents, Barton spends significant time in the recording studio producing tracks, playing guitar, and collaborating with independent artists.
- Voice Acting & Directing: Barton has expressed interest in expanding into voice-over roles for animated projects as well as learning behind-the-camera directing skills.
Conclusion
Is Malachi Barton dating anyone right now? No, Malachi Barton is currently single. Although fan speculation regularly connects him to close friends like Freya Skye or Ariana Greenblatt, the young star remains focused on his acting career, music production, and personal growth.
With an estimated net worth of $2 million, a strong television track record, and ambitious future creative goals, Malachi Barton continues to establish himself as one of Hollywood’s most promising young talents.
Sahil Chopra is a digital media specialist and the Managing Editor of Hercules & Love Affair. Backed by a formal diploma in Film & Television Direction from the Asian Academy of Film and Television (AAFT) and a degree in Business Management, Sahil combines his artistic vision with over four years of digital publishing expertise. He specializes in tracking the exact intersection where underground club culture meets high-end luxury lifestyle. Having closely followed the global electronic music scene from its early blog-era roots, Sahil now leads the editorial vision for the platform—curating everything from breaking entertainment news and VIP festival guides to exclusive looks inside celebrity culture. When he isn’t steering the newsroom, he is hunting down rare vinyl records and keeping a close eye on global fashion weeks.