What Keanu Reeves dating 'age-appropriate' Alexandra Grant reveals about sexism and ageism in Hollywood
The reason I chose this as the morning story is that it says so much about where we are as a society. I mean kudos to Reeves for his relationship and it's nice that he is dating an age-appropriate woman, but then the people who tweeted (you can find the tweets on the link provided) carried on about the woman's decision not to dye her hair, as if that made her stronger in some way. Then they go on to make it about men in power. Wake up, ladies! The sexual material that men chose to read or watch has nothing but young women in it. You don't think average guys aren't turned on by younger women? Of course they are.
On the other hand, guys like Quaid make me a bit ill, by dating someone that is young enough to be his daughter, but no one forced her into that relationship either. It is his money and fame that the young woman finds attractive (yes I am a cynic).
Then the tweets get even more invasive about where Reeves has touched previous girlfriends. Come on. My husband has touched me in those places and I don't feel it's inappropriate. I think boundaries are set by the woman and it's nobody else's business.
I think that when we talk about human relationships, it's far more complex than any movement like #metoo can address. What do you think?
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Actor Keanu Reeves was trending on social media after being photographed with a woman people are saying is “age-appropriate,” drawing commentary about gender equity in Hollywood.
“The Matrix” actor has historically kept his dating life private, but after he was spotted holding hands with artist and philanthropist Alexandra Grant at the LAMCA Art + Film Gala on Saturday, rumors began taking hold.
Reeves, 55, and Grant, 46, have previously worked together as business partners, collaborating on the adult picture book “Ode to Happiness” (2011) and the photography collection “Shadows” (2016).
Though neither Reeves nor Grant have confirmed their relationship, initial reactions to the couple were positive. Reeves was trending on Twitter from Monday evening through Tuesday morning with many praising the actor for dating a woman who is close to his age.
“In this house we love, support and respect Keanu Reeves and Alexandra Grant,” wrote one Twitter user, in a post that received nearly 24,000 likes and more than 5,000 retweets.
But despite eliciting cheery congratulations, the supposed couple is also sparking a conversation about the ways ageism and sexism in Hollywood persist — with many commenting on the absurdity of the actor trending for dating a woman nine years his junior.
Sharon Marcus, a professor of English and comparative literature at Columbia University and the author of “The Drama of Celebrity” told NBC News the conversation surrounding Reeves and Grant underscores the ways men are held to less stringent standards than women.
“If the ages were switched and Grant was 55 instead of 46, people would view the situation differently,” Marcus said. “But now Keanu Reeves is getting treated as a king and prince for dating a woman older than 25, because men get graded on a curve and are praised for being moderately decent.”
Marcus connects the effusive praise over Reeves’ alleged relationship with the public understanding that celebrities — and especially celebrity men — can have whatever they want.
“We live in a society that understands success in material terms and views women as assets,” Marcus said. “When a celebrity like Keanu Reeves goes out with an older woman who doesn’t dye her hair, some people think he should be awarded a feminist Nobel Prize.”
Upon hearing about Reeves and Grant, Montana Miller, an associate professor of pop culture at Bowling Green State University, immediately thought of a sketch from "Inside Amy Schumer" called "Last F---able Day." The sketch features Schumer, Tina Fey and Patricia Arquette celebrating Julia Louis Dreyfus' last day being viewed as an attractive woman in Hollywood.
"Once women reach their early 40s, they cross this threshold where they're no longer seen as f---able by the men in power in Hollywood," Miller told NBC News. "When I heard about Keanu's girlfriend, I thought of this sketch. This is exactly what people's reactions are about; the eagerness to cast away and discard older women in Hollywood as irrelevant."
This isn’t the first time Reeves has been praised for his relationships with women. The actor made headlines earlier this year after a tweet of him posing with women and noticeably not touching their lower backs or waists, went viral.
Marcus said that people have become so accustomed to celebrities abusing their power that Reeves respecting a woman's personal space becomes notable.
Though some may differ over whether Reeves is worthy of the effusive praise he’s received, Marcus said the reactions to his alleged relationship speak to ongoing discussions of power dynamics and relationships with younger partners in the #MeToo era.
Last month, Dennis Quaid, 65, drew controversy with his engagement to Laura Savoie, a 26-year-old doctoral student at the University of Texas. And Quaid is far from the only actor who’s dated younger women. Comedian Dane Cook, 47, has received criticism for dating a 19-year-old, as has actor Leonardo DiCaprio, 44, for dating multiple women younger than 25.
While Miller thinks it's probably "better for Keanu to be dating someone 46 instead of 26," she hesitates to condemn all Hollywood men who date younger women.
"There is undoubtedly a cult of youth in Hollywood, but people have the right to date whoever they want," Miller said.
Others have pointed out the irony of Twitter users mocking Emma Watson for describing herself as “self-partnered” instead of single in a profile with British Vogue, while simultaneously praising Reeves’ supposedly new relationship status.
“Emma Watson using the term 'self partnering' sounds like someone who is reframing negative thinking to gain a kinder relationship to her self,” the comedian Sara Schaefer wrote. “But we should definitely tear her apart, can't let anyone get too cocky on Keanu Reeves Isn't Dating A 22 Year Old Bikini Model Day.”
People of course have the right to date whomever they please. But I'll admit that I have a better opinion of a man who doesn't automatically seek out the college age eye candy when he's old enough to have grandchildren of his own.
From what I have read, he is one of the more down to Earth celebs; he rides the subway, for example. Seems to me that he is a guy that never let celebrity go to his head. Not a big fan of his acting, but by all accounts, he seems to be an all around good person.
Go for brains.....
Sustainable love is when you can find the beauty inside of someone no matter what their age . External beauty will always remain their if you love the person inside.
Pretty sure that if I was rich and famous I'd be dating the most beautiful, youngest, smartest, nicest, sexiest, talented, oral/anal contortionist possible. True love would be nice too.
I just love Keanu Reeves. Such an all around decent guy.
I'm not as bad as Epstein but my go to male actor for dating advice is Matthew McConaughey.
People get worked up over stupid shit. A couple of months ago it was how he never touches any of the women he poses for pictures with. Now he is holding hands with a woman and they try to read every little thing into it.
Hell maybe she was just nervous on a red carpet and wanted the comfort.
In my opinion he is just as bad as Will Smith. Very one dimensional and always the same character. Same voice, same inflection just different lines.
I do agree that Reeves is a little monotone, but Will Smith? I think he has shown amazing range over the years with the roles he has taken. There are a lot of things about him that I don't like, but not with his acting.
I think her hair and the cut is stunning on her. Just like with Jamie Lee Curtis, both of these women rock the style and color.
"I mean kudos to Reeves for his relationship"
This is actually considered "Important" social news ?
WHY ?
More "Folks" relate the same way than not, in the first place. "Emphasis" on MOST !
The "Kardashians" aren't ones to look at ….. for "Sanity" !
"Social media" really does go over the top when it comes to "Life" ! Whose "Fucked" whom, and which one is "The Daddy" this time now ?
For Sanity reasons...……… Just say "NO" !
Well let's get back to business then! [Deleted]
[ I'm still a stay'en. ]
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Please stay on topic. The topic can be found in my opening comments.
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I dated a girl ten years younger than i, and that's about as far as i think age discrepency's should be stretched, at least for me.
Though the older i get, i could see my decade stretching a little, but i'm doubting a real relationship would be the product.
kudos to Neo
and sew Crates as well
I think it depends on the people. I know younger people that act older than they are. Old souls so to speak. Then I know some older people that act like they never got out of high school.
I agree.
many still think i'm a senior, not a citizen.
I think it is all of Hollywood that keeps pressure on. It is not just women. Men are under pressure to look their best, be in shape, etc. A lot of the men these days go through plastic surgery, botox and all to stay looking a certain way.
I think the main reason people are interested in this couple is that they remain private. Some feel like they have a right to know everything going on, when that is not the case.
It is the Hollywood big wigs who could care less that they look like 5 miles of bad road (ie -Weinstein). But they demand their trophy women be beautiful in order for them to waste their time.
I think the only comment I had better make is that I married my wife almost 11 years ago, when she was 46 with a 13 year old daughter.
You have a beautiful family.
Thank you.
You are very welcome. I think that oriental women are some of the most beautiful out there.
So true, from another who knows.