Chelsea Handler Talks Dating Philosophy

Chelsea Handler recently shared her thoughts on men and dating during an appearance on the “Angie Martinez IRL Podcast.” The comedian, now 51, mentioned she’s “not looking for a man,” emphasizing that it’s not a priority for her life.

“I’m here for women, and I’m here for myself,” Handler remarked. She noted that she doesn’t have a deep yearning for partnerships. To engage her seriously, she believes someone has to put in the effort. “Otherwise, it’s just casual hookups,” she explained. Handler enjoys traveling and dating but isn’t keen on commitment, saying she doesn’t want someone constantly in her space.

Regarding the idea of growing old with someone, she acknowledged that while she believes in the concept, there’s a vast number of people in the world. Rather than viewing being single as loneliness, she prefers to see it as freedom, stating, “I’m free now to make all the decisions I want.”

Handler values her independence. “I like the idea of not having to check in with anyone,” she said, imagining hopping on a plane to Paris or Mallorca without consulting anyone else.

Right now, she’s in a relationship with a younger man, whom she refers to as “Cowboy.” They connected over a loan she needed at a blackjack table in Las Vegas, and their bond deepened during a trip to Antarctica.

Even while in a relationship, Handler remains skeptical about marriage, calling it “an outdated tradition” and “really stupid.” She joked that it would be hypocritical for her to marry, given her past criticisms of the institution. “I might just get married someday— if I feel like it,” she added, brushing aside the importance of the act. “I think it’s a very patriarchal thing anyway.”

Handler has had several public relationships and most recently dated comedian Jo Koy for nearly a year. After their July 2022 split, she remarked that being loved by Koy was a significant gift, leading her to regain faith in love. However, she candidly admitted to feeling that they weren’t meant to last. “I thought I had found the person,” she reflected, but ultimately recognized he wasn’t the one for her.

She concluded by asserting her refusal to compromise her identity for anyone, sharing her belief that self-preservation is crucial, regardless of love.