Kathy Griffinclosed out 2025 with adatingrevelation: Shortly after her split from ex-husbandRandy Bick, she fell for a 23-year-old.
"I accidentally fell in love with a 23-year-old," the 65-year-old comedian wrote in a piece forThe Cut, published Dec. 31. "Because of his age, he didn't have the usual sexism, misogyny, and biases that guys my age tend to have. He seemed to see me. I know that sounds really corny. Oh God, it sounds so lame! But I felt really comfortable with him, and I felt very content just hanging out."
Therelationshipwas short-lived, Griffin wrote, but she says the two enjoyed each other's company and she doesn't regret it.
"I knew he was too young when he told me he never wanted to have kids and that he could be with me forever. And I was like, 'You don't know that. You're 23. You have no idea,' " she wrote. "So I had to set that dove free."
Griffin is far from the only celebrity to pursue romance with someone with significantly younger than her. After all,Bill Belichickand his girlfriendJordon Hudson− who have a 48-year age gap −made their romance red carpet official in late 2024. AndKatherine McPheeandDavid Foster, whohave a 35-year age gap, have been married since 2019.
Though age-gap relationships aren't necessarily uncommon, they do come with complications that the people in them should be aware of. Often, the biggest challenge isn't the relationship itself, but how other people respond to it.
"You have to be confident in yourrelationship,"Janet Morrison,a certified sex and relationship coach, previously told USA TODAY. "The biggest external factor that influences most of these relationships is not the age but the response and acceptance of the relationship by peers."
Kathy Griffin and society's age-gap obsession
Hollywood has a storied history of famous couples with notable age gaps, such asLauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart(25-year gap) orMarilyn Monroeand Joe Dimaggio (12-year gap). In the modern Hollywood era,Kylie Jenner and Tyga(who met when Jenner was 14 and Tyga was 21) andFlorence Pugh and Zach Braff(a 21-year gap) have raised eyebrows, as have several ofScott Disick's relationships.
Some have called out their former, older partners after feeling taken advantage of. TakeDemi Lovato's 2022 single "29,"which was adopted by myriadTikTok users calling out their own past relationships. "Finally 29 / Funny, just like you were at the time / Thought it was a teenage dream, just a fantasy / But was it yours or was it mine? 17, 29,"Lovato sings in the song,rumored to be about exWilmer Valderrama.
More:Bill Belichick, 72, is dating Jordon Hudson, 24: The truth about age-gap relationships
WhenTaylor Swift, 36, rereleased her2012 album "Red"in 2021, she updated herbreakup ballad "All Too Well,"allegedly about actorJake Gyllenhaal(who is nine years her senior), to include callouts to an age difference.
Media tend to portrayage-gapromancesin a one-dimensional manner: The older man, wealthy and stable, has the power – socially, financially and even sexually – while his attractive, young, dependent "trophy wife" offers one thing: beauty. Public discourse around age-gap relationships can also be brutal when an older woman dates a younger man, as evidenced by the label "cougar," which paints older women as wild animals on the prowl.
Griffin commented on the double standard older women in age-gap relationships face, saying she finds no shame in people calling her a "cougar." In fact, she embraces it.
"I haven't been with a guy my age since I was in my 30s," Griffin wrote. "So I'm constantly called a cougar, but I don't mind. I kind of am a cougar, which to me just means you have the freedom to choose the person that you want as opposed to the age bracket that society tells you is the only option for you."
What relationship experts say about age gaps
Ultimately, for any couple with an age gap to have a successful romance, it's crucial both people in the relationship see each other as equals.
Where age-gap relationships most commonly go wrong is when they veer into toxic power imbalances. In order to avoid this,Meghan Gillen, a professor of psychology at Penn State Abington who studies developmental psychology and body image, previously told USA TODAY she recommends individuals in age-gap relationships stay mindful and evaluate the situation for themselves. Ask yourself: "Does it feel appropriate? Does it feel comfortable? Do you feel like you can relate to the person … or do you feel like the person has power over you?" Younger partners in particular need to stay especially vigilant of potential gender, social and power dynamics.
More:Kristin Cavallari, Mark Estes and the sexist relationship age gap discourse
Ian Kerner, a therapist and sex and relationship specialist, previously told USA TODAY it can also be hard for couples with large age gaps to integrate family and friends into each other's lives, too, as well as finding common interests and activities. To combat this, Kerner says, it's essential that both people find things they enjoy doing together.
And remember: There are plenty of examples of healthy, thriving relationships with significant age gaps.
"Humans find connection in all sorts of places,"Erik Anderson, a licensed marriage and family therapist, previously told USA TODAY. "As long as both parties are able to consent, we shouldn't be so critical of relationships."
Contributing: David Oliver
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Kathy Griffin, her fling with a 23-year-old and age-gap relationships
