Joshua Taylor Bassett is an actor, singer, and composer from the United States. He is most known for playing Ricky Bowen in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. Bassett grew up in Oceanside, California, with his parents, Taylor and Laura.
He is the youngest of five sisters. His first exposure to musical theatre was at the age of seven. That was more than a decade before he acted as Ricky in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. That is when he appeared as J.V. Jock No. 2 in a community theatre production of High School Musical.
He traveled to Los Angeles when he was 16 years old to pursue a career as an actor. Bassett starred in episodes of Lethal Weapon, Game Shakers, and Dirty John from 2017 to 2018. In early 2018, he appeared as Aidan Peters. In the final season of the Disney Channel comedic television series Stuck In The Middle. But we won’t talk about that. Instead, we will discuss the dating history of Joshua Bassett. And to be honest, it is quite the bucket list!
The Brief of the Dating History of Joshua Bassett
When High School Musical: The Musical: The Series launched on Disney+ in November 2019, people immediately fell in love with Joshua Bassett (who plays Ricky in the fan-favorite show). Before his Disney+ debut, the actor was on the Disney Channel drama Stuck in the Middle for a short time. Still, it wasn’t until viewers heard his singing voice that they fell in love with the brilliant actor.
Fans became interested in Joshua’s love life as his celebrity expanded, which led to relationship speculations between him and his costar, Olivia Rodrigo. Although the couple never acknowledged their supposed connection, they often cozied up close during interviews. When Joshua admitted improvising the “I love you” sequence between their HSMTMTS characters, fans were sure they were more than pals.
The dating history of Joshua Bassett is still unknown. After what happened after Olivia and Joshua split up, although the actor was pictured dating Sabrina Carpenter in July 2020. Rumors regarding what happened between these three have been circulating since Olivia released her song “Drivers License” in January 2021.
Joshua then came out as a member of the LGBTQ+ community during an interview in May 2021. Joshua expressed his appreciation for Harry Styles and dubbed him “sexy” at the moment, adding, “I think this is also my coming out video, I guess.”
“Never let anyone tell you that love isn’t love,” he told GQ in June 2021. “They’re probably the ones that need it the most.”
Joshua updated his relationship status months later in a separate interview with GQ in December 2021. The actor stated that he is not “at the moment” ready to fall in love, saying that his dating life is “non-existent… I think that’s been a plus in the last several weeks: I’m comfortable on my own. I don’t need anyone else.”
“Ultimately, being in a relationship is a duty,” Joshua continued. I’m not prepared for it. Despite appearances, I’ve only had three relationships.”
Is He Dating Olivia Rodrigo?
Fans were sure that these two were dating in real life after the debut of HSMTMTS. They never acknowledged their relationship. However, in a January 2020 interview with the Los Angeles Times, Olivia claimed, “I adore him so much. He’s my best buddy. Thus, his presence added authenticity and truthfulness to the performance. It was almost as though I wasn’t performing.”
The dating history of Joshua Bassett is unknown, also what happened between them. But fans have speculated about the specifics of their connection since “Drivers License” was released in January 2021. Months later, in December 2021, Joshua acknowledged the matter with GQ, saying, “She (Rodrigo) hasn’t talked to me since ‘Drivers License’ came out.”
Finally, after meeting on the set of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series in 2020, the couple was rumored to have dated. The rumor set the door for an incredible barrage of relationship drama centered on Olivia’s 2021 song ‘Drivers License,’ even though the duo has never formally acknowledged or denied a connection.
Nonetheless, their journey appears to be far from ending due to their July 2022 red-carpet rendezvous.
Olivia and Josh Reconciled on the Red Carpet in July 2022
Olivia and Josh met on the red carpet this week after months of relationship and separation rumors, and fans were ecstatic. The duo appeared for photos to commemorate the season three premiere of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, and it appears they are all smiles. Take a peek at these adorable photos:
The two portrayed on-screen pair Nini and Ricki, and their on-screen connection looked mirrored in their off-screen friendship. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Josh discussed his and Olivia’s real-life relationship, including a moment in which Ricki tells Nini he loves her.
He said, “When you don’t have to think about it, it simply comes through you. It’s the most powerful sensation in the world. It was a very amazing moment.”
Did Olivia “Friend-Zoned” Joshua?
Olivia referred to Josh as her “best buddy” after the HSM, and the two looked to grow closer. She told the Los Angeles Times, “I adore him to pieces. He’s my best buddy; thus, his presence added authenticity and truthfulness to the performance. It seemed as though I wasn’t performing at all.”
Sabrina Carpenter and Joshua Bassett’s Rumor
Joshua and Sabrina’s rumor first surfaced in July 2020 when a fan said she saw them together at a Black Lives Matter demonstration in Los Angeles. A spectator claimed on Twitter a moment that she saw Joshua kiss Sabrina on the forehead.
Just Jared Jr. got images of the couple smiling at lunch with her sister, Sarah Carpenter, less than a month later. It wasn’t until Halloween 2020 that dating rumors between the two began to swirl, as both Joshua and Sabrina posted TikTok videos of themselves costumed as Sharkboy and Lavagirl, respectively.
A social media user uploaded images with Sabrina and Joshua in Park City, Utah, in January 2021. After Olivia released the song “Drivers Licence,” which includes the words, “And you’re probably with that blonde girl / Who always made me question / She’s so much older than me / She’s everything I’m insecure about,” fans were sure that the former Disney Channel stars were in a love triangle.
The admirers who quickly noticed the duo together uploaded images on social media and noticed the couple attending a Harry Styles performance together in October 2021. It’s unclear what indeed went down between them as Joshua commented about his relationship status in December 2021, stating, “Being in a relationship is a responsibility. “I’m not sure I’m prepared for it.”
Is Olivia Rodrigo’s “Driver’s Licence” About Carpenter?
If there’s one thing that brings back memories of the worst winter lockdown, it’s this song. Olivia released ‘Drivers License’ in January 2021, with many fans assuming it was about her rumored love triangle with Josh and Sabrina.
Sabrina is four years Olivia’s senior and has blonde hair. However, Olivia refers to the girl as a brunette rather than blonde in the original lyrics. While Olivia has indicated that some lyrics were modified at the request of the song’s producer, Dan Nigro, the particular reason for that modification has not been revealed.
There are several theories as to why this is the case, including the fact that “blonde” has fewer syllables than “brunette,” which improves the lyrical flow; to emphasize how different the girl is from Olivia, who is a brunette self, or that Olivia was being intentionally cryptic with the original lyrics.
Fans believe the words “You’re probably with that blonde girl who always made me question / She’s so much older than me, she’s everything I’m insecure about” refer to Sabrina. Subsequent tracks by Josh and Sabrina fueled love triangle rumors even further. Josh published ‘Lie Lie Lie,’ a song about a friend who lied behind his back.
Meanwhile, Sabrina’s 2021 song ‘Skin’ appears to allude to Olivia’s “blonde” lyric with the line: “Maybe we could’ve been pals / If I met you in another life… Maybe you didn’t mean it / Maybe blonde was the only rhyme.” So much to figure out!
On the other hand, Olivia tried to end rumors in March, claiming she didn’t know Sabrina.
Did the Song “Deja Vu” Have a Reference to Carpenter as Well?
“Do you call her, almost say my name?/’Cause let’s be honest, we sound the same/ Another actress/ I hate to think I was just your type.
These lyrics are from the song off Olivia Rodigo’s debut album SOUR. While listening to the lyrics, it is safe to speculate that she is indeed talking about Carpenter. In these lyrics, Olivia worries if her ex has moved on and isn’t just attempting to replace her because he’s seeing a lady with a similar background to her.
Olivia is reported to have had a previous connection with Joshua Bassett. Therefore, this might be a reference to his rumored girlfriend.
Bassett Claims He Hasn’t Spoken to Rodrigo Since ‘Drivers License.’
We previously mentioned Olivia and Joshua attending a red-carpet event together in July 2022. When asked about the social media attention that accompanied ‘Drivers License,’ Josh told GQ, “it felt like a losing struggle… It felt impossible for me to defend myself in any manner.” Olivia, he said, “hasn’t talked to me since ‘Drivers License’ came out.”
“People don’t comprehend how long ago it was,” he said, seemingly referring to the Olivia incident. It is not as recent as it appears. I’m a completely different person now,” she says, adding that she’s not here to expose anybody. It was eating me alive, and I couldn’t take it any longer.”
Joshua Bassett Joined the LGBTQ+ Community?
Josh was seen fawning about Harry Styles in an interview with Clevver News, calling him “hot” before casually adding, “This is also my coming out video, I think.”
The next day, he issued a Twitter message telling followers, “Love who you love without reservation. It’s okay if you’re still figuring out who you are. Life is too short to allow ignorance and hatred to triumph. I opt for love.” “I’m really happy to be a part of the LGBTQ+ community,” he subsequently told GQ.
What’s New on Joshua Bassett as of Today?
Well, as of recent updates, we cannot confirm any relationship status confirmed by Joshua Bassett himself. The dating history of Joshua Bassett is filled with rumors. And the rumors about Olivia Rodrigo and Sabrina Carpenter made a big media hassle as it is!
We know everyone will lose their mind as soon as Joshua hints about a relationship update. Since he ‘almost’ came out in May 2021. So it can be a boyfriend or a girlfriend. We never know, and we certainly aren’t up for judging.
Conclusion
Joshua Bassett has or is yet to have a romantic life that will be the center of showbiz and media attention. The dating history of Joshua Bassett is undoubtedly worth the buzz. As of today, we can not confirm any solidified relationship update on him.
With that being said, will Joshua have an acclaimed and much-anticipated relationship this year? We will have to wait to find out.