Taylor Kinney Finally Opens Up About His Chicago Fire Connections — “What Happened Between Us Was Real”
For over a decade, Chicago Fire has thrived on its trademark blend of intensity, loyalty, and the undeniable chemistry of Firehouse 51. But one question has lingered among fans since the show’s earliest days: what really happened between
Now, in one of his most candid interviews yet, Kinney — who plays Lieutenant Kelly Severide — has finally opened up about the emotions, friendships, and deep connections that blurred the line between fiction and reality.
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“It Wasn’t Just Acting”
“It Wasn’t Just Acting”“I’ll be honest — it wasn’t just acting,” Kinney admitted. “When you spend sixteen hours a day with people, filming emotional scenes, you can’t always separate what’s real from what’s performance. Some connections become genuine — and that’s exactly what happened.”
His honesty immediately sent the One Chicago fandom buzzing. Though Kinney didn’t name names, many believe he was referring to his close working relationship with Miranda Rae Mayo, who plays
Fans have always noted their magnetic chemistry, both in front of and behind the camera — something Kinney now admits had real emotion behind it. “Miranda and I trusted each other completely,” he said. “That’s why our scenes worked. We could push each other emotionally, and then laugh when the cameras stopped. There was real affection there. It wasn’t forced.”
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“Some of Those Bonds Follow You Home”
“Some of Those Bonds Follow You Home”Though Kinney carefully avoided confirming any off-screen romance, he did acknowledge that emotional intimacy often transcended the boundaries of the set. “You go through everything together — long nights, losses, breakups, milestones,” he explained. “You become each other’s support system. So yeah, some of that connection follows you home.”
Crew members have long described Kinney’s relationships on set as “genuine and protective,” with insiders saying his energy with certain co-stars was “undeniably electric.” Still, Kinney emphasized that respect and professionalism always came first. “Things can get complicated,” he said with a knowing smile, “but we always led with respect.”
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Addressing His 2023 Exit
When Kinney took a brief leave of absence from Chicago Fire in 2023, rumors immediately swirled about behind-the-scenes conflict. Now, he’s setting the record straight.
“I didn’t leave because of drama,” he said firmly. “I was burned out. After so many years, I needed time to recharge and focus on my health and the people who mattered most. That included some of my co-stars — those friendships helped me through it.”
He called the Chicago Fire cast “the most grounded people I’ve ever worked with” and compared the set to a second family. “When you’re filming outside in a snowstorm at 3 a.m., covered in fake soot, you depend on each other. That’s when the bonds become real.”
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His Thoughts on Miranda Rae Mayo
His Thoughts on Miranda Rae MayoKinney couldn’t help but praise Mayo specifically, describing her as “one of the most talented, grounded, and kind people” he’s ever known. “She has this balance of strength and serenity,” he said. “You can’t help but be drawn to that. We’ve always had a connection that just works — on camera and off.”
Fans have often wondered if that connection extended beyond the screen, especially during the lead-up to Severide and Kidd’s wedding. Kinney, ever the gentleman, kept it vague: “If people saw love, that’s a good thing. It means we told the story right.”
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The Reality Behind the Chemistry
Kinney reflected on how art and emotion often overlap in the world of long-running dramas. “You can’t fake genuine connection,” he explained. “The best performances come from trust — and we had that. Whether it’s romantic, platonic, or just pure creative energy, it’s real. That’s why it works.”
He also admitted that not every day on set was easy. “We’re human. There were days when emotions ran high. But the respect never wavered. That’s why the show’s lasted so long — because we believe in each other.”
RHOC’s Gretchen Rossi Explains Her Lack of Reaction to Claims of ‘Liking’ Anti-LGBTQ Posts as Tamra Reveals What Made it “Worse” and Emily Shares What Was “Concerning”
Gretchen Rossi was accused of “liking” a series of controversial posts, including homophobic messages and anti-abortion rights statements, on Thursday’s finale episode of the 19th season of
As Gretchen, 47, explained why she didn’t have much to say after the accusations were made, her co-stars, including
“I was so confused because, in my heart, I’m like, ‘There’s no way I would’ve liked a post like that.’ What am I supposed to say to this? I know fundamentally in my heart what I feel and how I believe, so, but it’s like, how are you supposed to defend that in that moment?” Gretchen wondered on the October 30 episode of the
“I thought you would have come unhinged if you knew in your soul that it was not you,”
Meanwhile, Emily, who said she would have been “livid” if similar accusations were made against her, expected Gretchen to lash out at Tamra.
“I thought that her reaction would’ve been, ‘F*ck you, Tamra. This is you creating bullsh*t about me.’ And that’s what I thought the reaction might be, and then I was gonna sit and analyze that. But there was no reaction from her,” she noted as Tamra added that Gretchen’s lack of a reaction “made it worse.”
“If someone was accusing me of something, you just want to go, ‘How can I prove that this is ridiculous, that this is so not true?’” Heather reasoned.
As for what else raised a red flag for Emily, she gave a nod to Gretchen’s chat with
“The other things that was concerning for me is that she showed no emotion or really any kind of reaction until after she spoke to Slade. I don’t know where you land because I can’t tell what’s genuinely you and what’s Slade guiding you,” she explained.
Elsewhere, Shannon said she “can’t imagine” that Gretchen did what she’s accused of.
“I’ve seen a kind, devoted mom, [a] faith-based gal, and a girl who has a lot of friends in the LGBTQ community. So I don’t know. I’m waiting with you to see what happens,” she told Heather. “Something doesn’t make sense about all of it.”
Shannon then noted that everyone reacts differently to different scenarios.
“Shannon Beador laughs. Gretchen just was blindsided and like, ‘What?’ And some people are [deer] in the [headlights] and some people go, and they’re very vocal about what’s going on. So I don’t want to judge her based on her reaction,” she concluded.
The three-part Real Housewives of Orange County season 19 reunion begins next Thursday, November 6, at 8/7c on Bravo.
