Chrissy Metz is feeling "very, very good" about her new relationship but wants to keep the fresh romance private. The 44-year-old actress, known for her role as Kate Pearson on NBC's beloved drama This Is Us, shared her thoughts while promoting her second children's book, When I Talk to God, I Talk About Feelings, which just hit shelves in April 2025.
Metz, who previously dated Bradley Collins for more than three years before their split in 2023, believes in keeping her personal life under wraps. "I think that when you keep trying things and expecting different results, that’s called the definition of insanity," she told Us Weekly. "And I’m like, yeah, you know what? I think I want to just keep it very private and just enjoy it." She emphasized the importance of being cautious and careful about discussing her new relationship.
Before her current romance, Metz and Collins collaborated on their first children's book, When I Talk to God, I Talk About You, earlier in 2023. Reflecting on their partnership, Metz described the process as "enjoyable," despite the challenges of merging their creative ideas. "Any collaborative art is always so hard. Because you’re like, ‘Well, I have this idea,’ and trying to meld it together. I think we did a great job with that," she explained. "I think it’s cool because we both have different, obviously, experiences when we were young. You can lend his experience to my experience."
Transitioning from a romantic relationship to friendship while working on their second book was a unique experience for Metz. "It was cool because I was like, ‘Oh, in real time, we’re assessing our feelings. We’re actually so meta. It’s helping us.’ I think everything happens as it’s supposed to. It was not lost on me. I was like, ‘Oh, OK. What can I glean from this?’" she said.
Metz also stressed the importance of respect in relationships after a breakup. "Just because someone’s not your forever person or you’re better friends than you were romantic partners, it’s like [I] don’t completely just, like, kick you out of my life," she noted. "You still want to be respectful and you know that you cared about them at a certain point in a different way. I’m that person that I want to treat people the way I want to be treated."
While her second book has just been released, Metz is already considering a third. "I would love that. I have some ideas kicking around, but again, everything is sort of like, we’ll see what happens," she said, adding that everything is still in the brainstorming phase.
In addition to her writing endeavors, Metz remains a fan of This Is Us, even years after portraying Kate Pearson. However, she admits that certain scenes are too painful to revisit. "I mean, as a fan, obviously when William passed away," she shared. "And then, now knowing that Ron [Cephas Jones] has transitioned, it's like, ‘I can't watch that.’" The emotional weight of the series still lingers, especially now that Cephas Jones, who played William, passed away in 2023 at the age of 66 due to heart-related issues.
Metz recalls the emotional impact of the storyline involving Kate and her onscreen husband Toby, played by Chris Sullivan, as they faced a miscarriage. "That was really difficult," she said. "That's something that people often approach me about because it's something we don't really talk about. We don't talk about this and what it means for the relationship, and then the man and also the shame that women experience. Oh, goodness, it’s so complicated."
Reflecting on her character's journey, Metz said, "I think that we informed each other so much. They pulled some things from my real life and real experiences and relationships and that — it was who I used to be. It's so strange. Like, how do I [separate]? I mean, I am her; she is me. We are what? I don't know. It's wild. I can't explain it. It feels very strange."
Metz found her role as Kate to be a cathartic experience, helping her confront her own insecurities. "I think through the insecurities that she and I both shared, and then going through them and just always showing up for myself — even though it was difficult or hard — the things that she went through as a character really helped me to be like, ‘OK, everybody's going through something and it's OK, and it's not going to be perfect. And life is not linear, and healing is difficult,’" she said.
Now, as she promotes her new book, Metz is eager to help children articulate their feelings. "Well, when we were doing a bit of our tour during the first book, all the kids would want to talk about their feelings inevitably," she explained. "I’m like, ‘Wait, OK.’ And of course, I have a big family, and I know how kids operate, but it’s really amazing when your demographic tells you what they need. I feel like that’s what they did."
She believes that encouraging children to express their emotions can have a lasting impact. "We still, I think, are working on that as adults. I always say treat the soil and get them when they're very impressionable and young, and help them to just feel loved and confidently supported. I'm like, ‘Oh, maybe we could change the world in that way’ — as cheesy as it sounds."
When I Talk to God, I Talk About Feelings, written by Metz and Collins and illustrated by Lisa Fields, is now available from Flamingo Books everywhere books are sold. With her new relationship blossoming and her literary career flourishing, Metz continues to navigate her personal and professional life with grace and thoughtfulness.
