# PDA is cool again > After years of keeping romance private, couples are openly showing affection in public and reporting higher relationship satisfaction. - Title: PDA is cool again · Cosmopolitan | Shortify - Summary: After years of keeping romance private, couples are openly showing affection in public and reporting higher relationship satisfaction. Public displays of… - Keywords: public displays of affection, pda, relationships, dating trends, love island usa, celebrity relationships, relationship satisfaction, social media, couples, romance, dating culture, 2026 trends - Source: Cosmopolitan — https://cosmopolitan.com/relationships/a73544914/pda-couples-love-trend - Author: Alexandra Whittaker - Published: 2026-09-21T12:00:00+00:00 - Read time: 3 min - Topics: public displays of affection, pda, relationships, dating trends, love island usa, celebrity relationships, relationship satisfaction, social media, couples, romance, dating culture, 2026 trends ## Love Island sparked the shift Love Island USA season 8 became Peacock's top reality series with 4 billion social video views, featuring couples kissing, making out, and falling hard for each other on camera. ## Dating stopped being embarrassing In 2025, people questioned if dating was bad for your aura or brand. By summer 2026, America seemed hungry to watch couples fall in love on camera. ## Celebrities are hard-launching louder Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau went from months of rumors to kissing on Instagram and appearing together at Tribeca Film Festival in June. ## Red carpet debuts got more affectionate Gracie Abrams and Paul Mescal celebrated their red carpet debut at the 2026 BAFTAs with a kiss, while Billie Eilish and Nat Wolff moved from fan speculation to an affectionate premiere appearance. ## Data backs up the PDA trend A study reported in The Times surveyed adults across three countries and found that people showing more PDA reported greater relationship satisfaction. ## PDA looks different for everyone For couples, PDA can mean hand-holding, forehead kisses, visible hickeys, matching looks, or constant touching. It's culturally and context-dependent. ## Safety concerns still matter PDA is not equally safe in every public space, particularly for marginalized couples who face real risks regardless of relationship health. ## Love Island couple: being in love is cute Dylan Wrona and Kenzie Annis met on Love Island season 8 and say their favorite PDA is hand-holding and forehead kisses. They feel safe and at home with each other anywhere. > Being in love is cute, idc! ## Two-year couple: quality time matters Kordell Beckham and Serena Page met on a TV show in Fiji and have been together 2 years. Their love language is quality time, good food, and cuddling. > You can watch our entire love story unfold on television. ## Musicians prefer making out Savannah Hudson and Jonathon Ng, musical artists together 3 years, met at a go-kart track. Their favorite PDA is making out. ## 34-year couple: PDA is analog rebellion Alfonso Campos and Tarina Tarantino, cofounders together 34 years, believe PDA is back because it's analog and rebellious in a digital world. > PDA is analog. Physical, in-person expressions of affection can almost feel rebellious now. ## Instagram posting is complicated PDA Alfonso and Tarina say posting your partner on Instagram is PDA but can be cringe. Some things are more romantic when kept private. > Some things are even more romantic if they're kept private. ## One-year couple: humility and connection Jairo Garcia and Salem Mitchell met at a barbecue a year ago. They make simple activities feel special and hope their humility and connection never change. ## Chef couple: visible hickeys are hot Sara Hiromi and Danny Bowien, together 8 years, met walking a fashion show. Their favorite PDA is visible hickeys. ## Business owners: why not show affection? Brandon Veloria and Collin James, owners together 17 years, met naked in a hot tub. They say PDA is back simply because why not? > Why not? ## No shame in loving out loud Emmy Hartman and Amiyah Breeding, together 9 months, say PDA is back because there's no shame in loving out loud. > There's no shame in loving out loud. ## Actors: love combats division Joe Apollonio and Bianca Leigh, together 2 years, believe PDA is back because the world needs love to counter division and hatred. > Without it, the world will end. The current climate is defined by so much division and hatred. We need love. ## Long-term couples still yearning Chloe Hall and Cam Wolf, together 15 years, still act like they've only been together a couple months. They miss each other, cuddle, and fight like new lovers. > Despite being together for a decade and a half, we still act in almost every way like we've only been together a couple of months. ## Willingness to stop hiding love From hand-holding to hickeys to matching looks, couples are showing a willingness to stop pretending that being in love is embarrassing. ## Key takeaway Public displays of affection are back in style, with data showing couples who show more PDA report greater relationship satisfaction.