Months after being exposed as the real-life inspiration behind Lily Allen’s searing breakup anthem "Madeline," costume designer Natalie Tippett was reportedly spotted with actor David Harbour at a luxury spa in Winnipeg — reigniting rumors their affair never truly ended. The sighting, confirmed by multiple sources including The Daily Mail and Reality Tea on November 24, 2025, places the pair together at Thermea Spa Village in September 2025, while Harbour was filming Violent Night 2 in the Canadian city. This contradicts earlier claims from 2023 that their relationship had quietly dissolved — and comes just weeks after Allen’s album West End Girl sent shockwaves through celebrity culture.
The Song That Exposed Everything
Lily Allen didn’t name names in her October 18, 2025, track "Madeline," but the lyrics were unmistakable: "How long has it been going on? Is it just sex or is there emotion? He told me it would stay in hotel rooms, never be out in the open." The song, part of her most personal album to date, was widely interpreted as a direct indictment of Harbour’s conduct during their marriage. By October 2025, Elle Australia and The Evening Standard had connected the dots: Tippett, 34, was the woman behind the lyrics. She had first met Harbour on the set of Netflix’s 2021 supernatural comedy We Have a Ghost, filmed in New Orleans. The affair, insiders say, began within weeks of the shoot starting in early 2021 — while Allen was starring in 2:22 A Ghost Story at London’s Noël Coward Theatre.
Allen, who married Harbour on June 15, 2020, after meeting on the VIP dating app Raya, later revealed she had reluctantly agreed to an open marriage in 2021 — a compromise she now says she deeply regrets. "It wasn’t what I thought love looked like," a close friend told People in March 2025, just days after Allen’s representative confirmed their separation. The emotional fallout didn’t end there. Allen reportedly discovered the affair after finding intimate texts on Harbour’s phone during the final weeks of her West End run, which ended on November 6, 2021.
The Spa That Changed the Narrative
For two years, reports claimed Harbour and Tippett had gone their separate ways. But the September 2025 sighting at Thermea Spa Village — a high-end wellness retreat on Winnipeg’s Club Road — shattered that narrative. Witnesses described the pair as "clearly intimate," sharing meals, holding hands during walks, and leaving together in the same vehicle. Red Arrow Studios, which is producing Violent Night 2 in Winnipeg, confirmed Harbour was on location during that time. Tippett, whose credits include work on We Have a Ghost and several Canadian indie films, was not employed on the production — raising questions about why she was there.
"This isn’t a coincidence," one source close to the spa staff told The Daily Mail. "They’ve been coming here every other week since late August. The staff knows them by name now. They don’t act like strangers. They act like people who’ve been doing this for years."
Why Silence Speaks Louder Than Words
As of November 28, 2025, neither Harbour nor Tippett has issued a statement. No publicist has responded to requests for comment. That silence is deafening — especially given the public reckoning Allen’s music triggered. In 2023, Harbour had been photographed at a Los Angeles café with another woman, and the media assumed the Tippett chapter was closed. But now, the timeline has been rewritten: the affair didn’t end in 2023. It went underground. And it’s back.
Harbour’s professional life is at a crossroads. He’s set to return as Chief Jim Hopper in the fifth and final season of Netflix’s Stranger Things, with production scheduled to begin in January 2026. The character — a gruff, loyal, emotionally scarred father — has become a cultural icon. Fans are already speculating whether his on-screen redemption arc will feel hollow if his real-life actions are seen as anything but.
The Ripple Effect: Fame, Betrayal, and Public Memory
This isn’t just about one actor’s private life. It’s about how society consumes celebrity infidelity. Allen’s album didn’t just tell a story — it weaponized it. The lyrics of "Madeline" became a rallying cry for women who’ve been lied to by partners who claim openness as an excuse. Social media trends like #MadelineTruth and #LilyAllenLyrics have amassed over 80 million views on TikTok in under a month. The cultural weight of this moment is immense.
And yet, Tippett remains an enigma. She declined to speak to media in October, saying simply: "I just don’t feel comfortable talking about it at the moment." That line, repeated across outlets, has become a quiet protest — not denial, not confession, but a refusal to play the game. Meanwhile, Harbour, known for his stoic, intense screen presence, has said nothing. Not on Instagram. Not in interviews. Not even in the press junkets for Violent Night 2.
What’s Next?
As January 2026 approaches, all eyes will turn to Stranger Things’ final season. Will the writers weave in themes of betrayal and redemption? Will Harbour’s performance carry the weight of real-life guilt? And what will Allen do next? She’s already hinted at a follow-up project in interviews — one "about the cost of silence."
The truth, for now, remains locked in the silence between two people — and the echo of a song that won’t let anyone forget.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Lily Allen discover David Harbour’s affair with Natalie Tippett?
According to reports from Elle Australia and The Evening Standard, Allen discovered the affair in late 2021 after finding explicit text messages on Harbour’s phone during her run in the West End play 2:22 A Ghost Story. The texts, exchanged while Harbour was filming We Have a Ghost in New Orleans, revealed emotional intimacy beyond what she had agreed to in their open marriage arrangement.
Why is the Thermea Spa Village sighting significant?
The September 2025 sighting at Thermea Spa Village directly contradicts earlier claims that Harbour and Tippett’s relationship ended in 2023. Multiple independent sources, including staff at the spa and local photographers, confirm repeated visits over a six-week period. The location — a private, high-end retreat — suggests intentional privacy, not casual chance, making it the strongest evidence yet of a renewed romantic connection.
What role did Netflix play in connecting Harbour and Tippett?
Netflix distributed We Have a Ghost (2021), the film where Harbour (as Kevin Haverford) and Tippett (as costume designer) first worked together. While Netflix had no involvement in their personal lives, the production’s location in New Orleans and its six-month shoot created the environment where the affair began. Netflix is now facing scrutiny as the studio behind Harbour’s next project, Stranger Things Season 5, amid growing public interest in his conduct.
Has Natalie Tippett spoken publicly since being named as "Madeline"?
No. Since her identity was revealed in October 2025, Tippett has issued no statements, granted no interviews, and maintained a complete media blackout. Her only public comment, reported by Reality Tea, was a brief, written response: "I just don’t feel comfortable talking about it at the moment." This silence has fueled both sympathy and speculation, positioning her as a reluctant figure in a very public drama.
What impact could this have on David Harbour’s career?
Harbour’s portrayal of Chief Hopper in Stranger Things has made him a symbol of integrity and emotional resilience. If audiences perceive his real-life actions as hypocritical, it could affect his public reception — especially as the final season debuts in late 2026. While studios rarely cancel projects over personal scandals, fan backlash has already begun trending on social media, with hashtags like #HopperIsntReal gaining traction among fans who feel betrayed.
Is there any legal or financial consequence for Harbour or Tippett?
No legal action has been filed, and no financial settlements have been reported. Allen has not pursued divorce-related claims publicly, despite their 2025 separation. However, the cultural and reputational fallout may be more damaging than any court case. Tippett’s career as a costume designer in Hollywood could face professional isolation if she’s perceived as a "home wrecker," while Harbour’s endorsement deals — including his recent partnership with a luxury watch brand — are reportedly under review by PR teams.
