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Eileen Kelly, the girlfriend of Red Hot Chili Peppers’ lead singer Anthony Kiedis, passionately defended the substantial 33-year age difference between them, responding to the criticism with confidence.
In her Vogue essay titled “My Boyfriend Is Double My Age,” published on April 21, the 30-year-old sex educator delves into the dynamics of being with someone significantly older, though she refrains from mentioning Kiedis, 63, by name.
Kelly expressed that there’s a unique appeal in being with a man who has had ample time to sort out his life, remarking that her much older partner is genuinely thrilled to be in the relationship.
She humorously added, “He knows he’s one lucky guy,” underscoring her point.
Reflecting on their relationship origins, the host of the “Going Mental” podcast mentioned that she and Kiedis crossed paths at a birthday celebration, noting that the age difference was not immediately apparent.
“I had met someone interesting and magnetic; if anything, I assumed we’d just become friends,” she continued. “But when we exchanged numbers and made plans to get coffee.”
Kelly called out beliefs that an older man dating a younger woman is “creepy” and “gross,” while the latter is believed to either “have daddy issues” or “be a gold-digger.”
“Is it really so difficult to imagine that connection can exist across generations, and that two people of different ages can find something real in each other?” she questioned.
The businesswoman also slammed the “unsolicited commentary in public,” including remarks such as, “Is that your dad?” and “Your daughter is so beautiful.”
Kelly also reflected on how she cut ties with a friend who judged her relationship, saying, “We speak less now.”
The podcaster stated that people’s opinions about her relationship are, moreover, a reflection of themselves.
“From the inside, we’re mostly just two people doing the regular, ongoing work of moving through life together,” she concluded.
Kelly and Kiedis have been spotted together on several occasions since November, according to E! News and People.
The couple was recently seen holding hands while at a post-Grammy party in February.
The following month, they were also seen together at Madonna and Guy Oseary’s Oscars bash and a Los Angeles Lakers game