Kathy Griffin, 65, Introduces New Boyfriend, 22, in Candid Social Media Post

Comedian Kathy Griffin has publicly introduced her new boyfriend—a man in his early twenties—through an Instagram post that invited online scrutiny and sparked debate over relationship age gaps. The 65-year-old performer shared a photograph of herself holding hands with the younger man while entering a vehicle, captioning the image with deliberate directness: "He's 22. Have at it, internet."

In the image, the unidentified man reaches toward the car door while maintaining hand contact with Griffin, who wears a black midi dress and smiles for the camera. Within hours, the post drew hundreds of responses ranging from supportive comments to criticism centered on the significant age difference between the two.

Social Media Response and Double Standard Debate

Supportive commenters praised Griffin's romantic choice, with one follower noting the man's courtesy: "If he is opening the car door for you, keep him. More class at 22 than most men." Others highlighted Griffin's position in male-dominated comedy fields. However, critics raised questions about societal standards, with one user writing: "If it were a 65+ year old man with a 22-year-old woman, the comments would be very, very different."

Griffin responded to the discourse hours later, posting: "I am dying at these comments 👏😂👏." Her willingness to acknowledge and seemingly embrace the controversy suggests she anticipated the reaction.

Previous Age-Gap Relationship and Relationship History

This relationship is not Griffin's first romantic connection with a significantly younger partner. In December 2025, she published a personal essay in The Cut describing a previous romantic involvement with a 23-year-old. In that account, Griffin explained her attraction to the younger man, stating: "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." She described feeling comfortable and content during the brief relationship, though it ultimately ended.

Griffin's dating life has evolved considerably since her divorce from second husband Randy Bick was finalized in 2023. The pair married in 2020 after nine years of dating and were together since 2011. Prior to that union, she was married to software entrepreneur Matthew Moline from 2001 to 2005. The new relationship emerges roughly two years after her most recent divorce.