Kacey Musgraves and Cole Schafer: A Journey Through Their Relationship
Kacey Musgraves and poet Cole Schafer's love story unfolds through a timeline of cherished moments From their June 2021 connection to future plans in December 2023, discover the beautiful journey of this talented country singer and her devoted boyfriend
After breaking up with Ruston Kelly, Kacey Musgraves met poet Cole Schafer and appreciated his lack of knowledge about her celebrity status. "He did not know who I was, which I loved," the singer told The New York Times in August 2021, recalling their meeting in a crowded restaurant. "A handful of grown men come out, and they’re sweating trying to keep up with you on the sidewalk. It feels very predatory."
Musgraves’ adoring words about Schafer came two months after they were first seen together in New York City. As their love continued to grow, they would frequently express their admiration for one another on social media.
"Cheers to you turning to your right when you walked into F***," he captioned a series of Instagram photos in August 2021. "Cheers to you replying to me. Cheers to your jawline that makes my lips tingle and your hair that I can't resist touching. Cheers to your style and your art coming in a close second to your heart. Cheers to you turning 32 and cheers to you making history at 33. Falling for you, Kacey, has been absolutely beautiful."
In December 2023, We confirmed that Musgraves and Schafer split after two years of dating.
Deal of the Day
1 Day Only! Save 50% on This Next-Level Cold-Sculpting Body Treatment Duo
View Deal
“They weren’t seeing eye to eye in terms of where they are in life right now and decided to end things,” a source exclusively told Us.
Scroll below to relive Musgraves’ romance timeline with Schafer:
Credit: Wise Owl/MEGA
Kacey Musgraves and Boyfriend Cole Schafer: A Timeline of Their Relationship
After breaking up with Ruston Kelly, Kacey Musgraves met poet Cole Schafer. When she first met him in a crowded restaurant, he didn't recognize her, which she found refreshing. Recalling the encounter in August 2021 with The New York Times, the singer expressed her discomfort with the attention she receives, particularly from men trying to keep up with her on the sidewalk, which she found predatory.
Two months after they were first seen together in New York City, Musgraves' endearing comments about Schafer emerged. As their romance continued to thrive, both of them expressed their admiration for one another on social media.
In August 2021, he captioned a series of Instagram photos with, "Here's to you looking to your right when you stepped into F***. Here's to you writing me back. Here's to your jawline that chaps my lips and your hair I can't keep my hands out of. Here's to your aesthetic and your art being a close second to your heart. Here's to you making it through thirty-two and here's to you making history in thirty-three. It's been so damn pretty falling for you, Kacey."
In December 2023, it was confirmed that Musgraves and Schafer had broken up after two years together. According to a source, they were not on the same page about their current life situations and chose to go their separate ways.
Scroll below to relive Musgraves’ romance timeline with Schafer:
Credit: Wise Owl/MEGA
June 2021
The couple first sparked dating speculation after they were photographed holding hands and hugging in New York City.
Credit: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
June 2021
Shortly after being seen together, the writer — known as January Black — appeared to confirm their relationship on Instagram, with the caption on a Polaroid snap stating, “I’m trying like hell not to write about her.”
Credit: Wise Owl/MEGA
August 2021
Musgraves publicly acknowledged her romantic relationship with Kelly during an interview with the New York Times about her Star Crossed album. She mentioned that Kelly had not listened to her new music, which was inspired by their breakup, before its release. Schafer also praised her songwriting abilities, stating, "Also, I’ve listened to her new album 3x through and that s—t f—ks," in a comment on Instagram.
Credit: Courtesy Cole Schafer/Instagram
August 2021
Schafer expressed his admiration for the "Space Cowboy" singer in a heartfelt birthday message, describing the experience of falling for her as "so damn pretty." In response, Musgraves affectionately referred to him as her "sweet angel boo" and expressed how much brighter life is with him in it.
Credit: Matt Baron/Shutterstock
September 2021
One month later, the couple posed for a sweet Instagram snap, with the singer simply captioning it, “Him."
Credit: Greg Chow/Shutterstock
December 2021
The "Teddy Bear Ball" was cohosted by the duo to provide stuffed animals for the patients at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. Schafer expressed her admiration for “my girl” in a heartwarming Instagram post about the event, stating, "Kacey made the magic happen. And I stood back, mesmerized, at what could be created in just a few short weeks with a handful of talented people going after something bigger than themselves.”
Credit: Courtesy Kacey Musgraves/Instagram
January 2022
"Mesmerizing. Unwavering. You: The calm within the storm. You: the beacon of light that halted me in my steps the evening I entered that space. You: lover of genuine conversations and cuisine that ignites your spirit," Musgraves expressed via Instagram in a heartfelt tribute to her partner on his special day. "You: the individual I can rouse from sleep in the dead of night and share a laugh with before drifting back into slumber, and then relish that first sip of coffee the following morning with."
She continued to express her gratitude: "I learn so much from you. You’re a teacher and a treasure, and your 28 Earth years have nothing on your spiritual years. You walk the f—king walk and that’s why you’re so deeply admired and respected. … I thank my stars every day that you exist and that I get to be loved by a man like you. Cheers to this year being even more gorgeous than the last."
Credit: Courtesy of Kacey Musgraves/Instagram
March 2022
During her interview with Time for Women of the Year, the musician expressed her reluctance to keep things private, stating, "I don’t really want to keep things private, because I’m proud of the love that I have." She added, "I’m very happy. It’s natural to want to share that. And I don’t want to come across like a robot — I think people like me because I share who I am. But you also have to remember that you are under a magnifying glass, and it can get picked apart."
Credit: Diggzy/Jesal/Shutterstock
May 2022
The country singer stepped out in New York City with her beau one day prior to making their red carpet debut as a couple at the Met Gala.
Credit: Courtesy of Kacey Musgraves/Instagram
July 2022
“Are we Disney adults?” Musgraves asked her Instagram followers after spending the day at Disneyland with her man.
Credit: Courtesy of Kacey Musgraves/Instagram
January 2023
"Happy birthday to the most radiant presence in my life. You are my rock. I adore you, @cole_schafer," Musgraves exclaimed in an Instagram tribute to her partner. "You have a profound impact on the lives of everyone who has the privilege of truly knowing you."
The "Cherry Blossom" artist expressed her "appreciation" for the moments she and Schafer have experienced together — from "joyful moments and thrilling escapades" to "valuable guidance" and "reality checks." She concluded: "And above all, your unapologetic, wholehearted openness which is undoubtedly the most attractive thing about you. I look forward to what this year has in store for you. XO."
Credit: Cindy Ord/MG22/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
December 2023
The pair have officially parted ways after two years together, according to sources from Us. It was revealed that Musgraves and Schafer's "personalities didn't exactly gel" in the end, with the poet not being a fan of the "glitz and glamor" that came with dating the singer and not enjoying "attending all these events as Kacey's plus-one."
