What was once a passing flash became an entire internet phenomenon thanks to social media.
After two years of online anticipation and viral flirting, Andrew Garfield and Amelia Dimoldenberg shared their Chicken Shop Date and it was everything fans had hoped for: filled with charm, wit, and undeniable chemistry. The two teased their “vibey” interactions, with Garfield confessing to avoiding her due to the intensity of their connection, while Amelia playfully called him out.
But before we go into that, how did these two become an internet favorite? Here’s a rundown:
Fans first began to ship the two after Dimoldenberg joked about trying to get a date with Garfield at the 2022 GQ Men of the Year Awards. From there, the internet created memes and fan edits that took this playful dynamic into modern rom-com fantasies. Soon, every interaction the two had became an event, especially after Garfield said at the 2023 Golden Globes: “I only ever want to see you,” a line that sent Twitter into a frenzy.
Fast forward to the highly anticipated Chicken Shop Date episode, and the chemistry was intense as expected. Garfield and Dimoldenberg laughed at their public “situationship,” with Garfield saying, “We can own that it’s been vibey,” and Dimoldenberg joking that he had avoided her for two years because the vibes were “too much to handle.”
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A slow burn romance?
But the internet loves a slow-burn romance, and Garfield and Dimoldenberg’s relationship, real or not, has felt like a rom-com in real time. Instead of celebrity couples who make headlines for grand gestures, this pair has built their relationship on wit, banter, and that charm that makes social media explode with speculation. Their Chicken Shop Date episode played into all of that and gave the fans what they wanted—exactly what the fans wanted: authentic, awkward, flirtatious exchange that was both real and performative.
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In one of the episode’s highlights, Dimoldenberg played “Snog Marry Avoid” and offered Tom Holland, Tobey Maguire, and herself as options. But Garfield’s decision to “avoid” her had viewers screaming—in good fun. Then he added: “This is called flirting, Amelia. This is called flirting,” a line that once again sparked social media meltdown.
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The power of shipping
In a sense, Garfield and Dimoldenberg’s relationship encapsulate modern shipping culture. Fans today are more than fans of potential couples, they shape and edit their stories, making memes, fan edits, and conspiracy theories about whether these two are dating or not. And what was once a passing flash became an entire internet phenomenon thanks to social media.
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But what makes this pair so engaging is that they are willing to break the fourth wall and acknowledge the absurdity of their situation. The episode also had Garfield and Dimoldenberg joking about their “moves,” and Garfield said he’s noticed all of her flirting over the years. Of course Dimoldenberg joined in, and the chemistry was there.
They make their interactions relatable in an era where dating dynamics have become more casual and irony-filled. They bring humor and self-awareness to their “relationship.” Less serious and more mutual teasing and humor.
But fans want more…
The Chicken Shop Date episode ended without a big romantic gesture, but fans wanted more. Garfield said he already had Dimoldenberg’s number from an earlier event. Is there a real date on the horizon? Or are they playing it safe with another round of public flirtation?
Whatever happens next, Andrew Garfield and Amelia Dimoldenberg created a cultural moment. Their flirtation has morphed into something much more interactive for fans online than typical celebrity dynamics. Even for something so much more serious, like digital romances and parasocial relationships, This one gave us something to root for even if it’s all just for fun.
Still, we all wait to see what happens next, but one thing is for certain: It will be interesting.
