Red Hot Chili Peppers Singer’s Girlfriend Defends Their 33-Year Age Gap

Anthony Kiedis, the 63-year-old singer from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, has been dating Eileen Kelly, who is more than half his age. In an essay for Vogue, she opened up about her experience dating a man who is 33 years older than her.

“My own boyfriend is more than twice my age, which is either alarming or impressive, depending on who you ask,” she said. “It’s my first time dating someone significantly older, and sometimes I joke with friends that I’ve been missing out my whole life.”

Kelly continued, “There is something to be said for a man who’s simply had more time to get his s*** together, and my much older boyfriend seems genuinely excited to be with me—not like he’s biding his time before he can swipe for someone better. He is fully aware that he’s one lucky bastard.”

She went on to describe the assumptions that many people make when they hear about age gap relationships between an older man and younger woman. “An older man is reflexively labeled ‘creepy’ and ‘gross,’ while the woman ‘must have daddy issues’ or must 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?”

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She also explained the awkward moments that they have shared. “One of the more shocking aspects of being in an age-gap relationship has been the unsolicited commentary in public,” she said. “It happens in passing. A question: ‘Is that your dad?’ Or, directed at him, with a performative smile: ‘Your daughter is so beautiful.’ The remarks come with a cheerful bluntness, suggesting a certain satisfaction at having correctly identified the matter at hand, and it’s incredibly awkward every time.”

This is not the first age gap relationship that Kiedis has been in. He dated model Wanessa Milhomem when he was 52 and she was 23. He also shares a child with Heather Christie, a model who is 20 years younger than him.