Christopher Briney attended the U.S. Open on Thursday with his long-time girlfriend, actress and dancer Isabel Machado, drawing attention online for the couple’s fashion choices after they posed on the blue carpet at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens.
Machado, 27, wore a low-cut denim Ralph Lauren maxi dress, brown sandals, a yellow purse and a loose side braid. Briney, also 27, paired white linen pants and a white vest with a blue tie, pocket handkerchief, striped jacket and a small black shoulder bag. The pair posted images from the day to social media, with Briney captioning one post, "Ralph Lauren flex at the US Open."
Responses to the couple’s appearance were mixed. Influencer Raquel Debono, creator of "Make American Hot Again," posted on social media asking, "What are you wearing?" and criticized Machado’s choice of a denim dress for an event often noted for fashion statements. Debono questioned Machado’s sandals and yellow bag, calling the footwear a "grandma shoe" and describing the purse as unattractive. Debono also questioned Briney’s accessory choices and grooming, saying some elements did not fit the public image of his on-screen character.
Other online users echoed similar critiques, with some commenters saying Machado had not been well styled for the event and calling attention to Briney’s hairstyle and the small shoulder bag he carried. At the same time, numerous social media users defended the couple, praising their appearance and chemistry. Comments included praise such as "Hottest couple" and expressions of admiration for Briney’s looks and the couple’s apparent affection.
Briney rose to prominence playing Conrad Fisher on the Amazon Prime series The Summer I Turned Pretty, which is currently airing its third season on a weekly schedule. The series centers on the character Belly Conklin and a love triangle that has prompted intense fan debate over whether viewers favor Conrad or his brother Jeremiah. Briney has also appeared in the 2024 film adaptation of Mean Girls.
He and Machado met while both were students at Pace University and, according to a 2023 People interview, were friends before beginning a romantic relationship. The couple began dating in 2021 and have since attended several red carpet events together. Briney has shared anniversary posts and other images of the pair on social media. Machado’s résumé includes credits on independent projects such as Akron, Minuet and I Don't Bite, according to industry listings.
The U.S. Open frequently draws celebrities and public figures whose red carpet looks are widely discussed in fashion and entertainment coverage. In this instance, the couple’s coordinated appearance prompted both critique and praise across social platforms, highlighting how celebrity fashion moments continue to generate immediate and polarized reactions online.