“American Idol” Alum Grace Kinstler Gets Engaged to Longtime Boyfriend Joseph Wheatley in Garden Proposal

The pair have been together for nearly seven years

NEED TO KNOW

• American Idol fan-favorite Grace Kinstler got engaged to longtime boyfriend Joseph Wheatley
• The couple shared photos on Instagram of the romantic proposal, which took place in Boston Public Garden on July 31
• Their engagement comes after nearly seven years of dating

Grace Kinstler is engaged!

The American Idol alum, who was a fan-favorite during season 19 of the music competition show, said “yes” to longtime boyfriend Joseph Wheatley. The couple shared the happy news in a joint Instagram post on Sunday, Aug. 2, with Kinstler writing, “07.31.2026 Forever best friends 💍♥️✨.”

The post featured photos of the romantic proposal, which took place in Boston Public Garden. Wheatley, an Austin, Texas-based real estate agent, can be seen on bended knee by the garden’s lagoon. He held out a ring box as Kinstler, 25, smiled down at him.

Other shots show the pair holding hands while strolling through the garden, posing by a statue and sitting together under a weeping willow tree.

In yet another photo, Kinstler kisses her future husband, 28, as she rests her hand on his cheek, showing off her glittering ring, featuring a round diamond solitaire and smaller diamonds on the band.

The couple’s engagement comes after nearly seven years of dating.

They celebrated their sixth anniversary in November 2025. Kinstler commemorated the occasion by sharing a tribute to Wheatley featuring solo photos of him, as well as some couple shots.

“Happy 6 year anniversary to the man who learned Mandarin at a moments notice and then spoke it in front of millions on Chinese television because he’s just that cool (and because he loves me🥹)❣️,” the “Water” singer wrote. “You are my best friend and the love of my life. I’m so grateful to do every day with you♥️.”

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Just weeks before their engagement, Kinstler shared highlights from the pair’s first trip to Las Vegas together.

“Our 1st time in Vegas- saw some weird things and some not so weird things 🤣,” she wrote.

In a May 15 Instagram post marking his 28th birthday, Wheatley called out Kinstler as one of his “incredible memories” from the past year.

“Turned 28 yesterday 🎂 and had so many incredible memories during my 27th year! From Grace, to real estate, to friends, to my team, to China — I wouldn’t change any of it!” he wrote, adding, “Can’t wait to see what this year brings.”

Kinstler finished in third place on American Idol’s 19th season behind winner Chayce Beckham and runner-up Willie Spence. She released her newest single, “My Name’s On You,” on July 31.

Her other recent singles include “Ozone,” “Illusions” and “Human Too.”