Anya Taylor-Joy Says Marriage to Malcolm McRae Has Given Her a New Sense of Confidence

28 July 2026

Anya Taylor-Joy has spent much of her career keeping her personal life away from the spotlight, allowing her work to take center stage while revealing only occasional glimpses into her relationship with musician Malcolm McRae. In a rare and heartfelt interview, however, the award winning actress opened up about married life, sharing how her relationship has brought unexpected stability, happiness, and confidence during one of the busiest periods of her career.

Speaking with Elle UK, Taylor-Joy reflected on the profound impact marriage has had on her life. The actress admitted that having such a strong partnership was never something she had imagined for herself, but now that she has found it, she says it has transformed the way she approaches both her personal life and her career. Rather than feeling restricted by commitment, she explained that her marriage has given her the confidence to embrace bigger challenges and take creative risks she may once have hesitated to pursue.

"I don't want to sound smug, but I love him so much," Taylor-Joy said while describing her husband. She called McRae her best friend and credited him with providing a level of emotional security she had never expected to experience. That feeling of stability, she explained, has become one of the greatest gifts in her life, allowing her to focus on her work knowing she has unwavering support waiting for her beyond the cameras and red carpets.

The couple's romance began in 2021 after meeting at a music studio. Their relationship developed quickly, and in April 2022 they quietly eloped in New Orleans during an intimate courthouse ceremony attended only by their two closest friends. The private wedding took place before Taylor-Joy traveled to Australia to begin filming Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. More than a year later, the couple celebrated again with a larger wedding in Venice, Italy, surrounded by family, friends, and several well known faces from the entertainment industry.

Taylor-Joy has previously explained why they chose to marry privately before holding a larger celebration. She revealed that she and McRae are both romantics and wanted their first wedding experience to belong entirely to them. Sharing that deeply personal moment away from public attention allowed them to focus solely on each other before later celebrating with loved ones in Italy. She has often described both ceremonies as unforgettable in different ways, saying each represented a unique chapter of their love story.

One detail that continues to delight fans is the couple's shared birthday. Both Taylor-Joy and McRae were born on April 16, a coincidence they discovered early in their relationship. The actress has previously described the discovery as one of many signs that strengthened their connection, adding another layer to a relationship she often describes as joyful and deeply supportive.

Despite demanding careers that frequently keep them apart, the couple has developed routines to stay connected. Taylor-Joy explained that they make a point of checking in with each other every morning, sharing little moments from their daily lives even when work takes them to different parts of the world. Those simple conversations, she said, help maintain the closeness that defines their relationship.

The actress also revealed that both she and McRae intentionally spend very little time online. McRae still uses what she jokingly described as a "dumb phone," while Taylor-Joy herself has largely stepped away from social media. She believes limiting her digital presence has significantly improved her mental health by allowing her to remain fully present in everyday life rather than constantly following online conversations. Although she occasionally feels disconnected from what is happening on the internet, she considers that a worthwhile trade off for greater peace of mind.

Taylor-Joy's comments arrive during another exciting chapter in her career. Following acclaimed performances in projects including The Queen's Gambit, The Menu, Furiosa, and the upcoming series Lucky, she continues to establish herself as one of Hollywood's most sought after actresses. Throughout that success, she says having a loving and dependable partner has become an invaluable source of strength rather than distraction.

Although Anya Taylor-Joy rarely discusses her private life publicly, her latest reflections offer a touching portrait of a marriage built on friendship, trust, and genuine companionship. Rather than focusing on grand romantic gestures, she describes happiness in simple moments of laughter, shared adventures, and knowing someone is always in her corner. For an actress whose career continues reaching new heights, that quiet sense of security may be one of her greatest achievements away from the spotlight.