Chelsea Handler’s Dating History: Exploring Her Notable Relationships and Current Status
Chelsea Handler, the acclaimed 48-year-old stand-up comedian, television host, author, and activist, has built a career on her unfiltered humor and candid perspectives. Known for her fearless approach to life, Handler has never shied away from sharing the intimate details of her personal journey, especially her love life, with her devoted fanbase. From her groundbreaking E! series Chelsea Lately, which cemented her status as a late-night icon, to her insightful Netflix docu-series like Chelsea Does and Hello Privilege. It’s Me, Chelsea, along with her talk series and comedy specials such as Uganda Be Kidding Me, she has consistently invited audiences into her world. This transparency extends profoundly to her relationships, offering fans an honest glimpse into the men who have held significant roles in her life, including her most recent well-documented romance with fellow comedian, Jo Koy.
Recently, Chelsea’s relationship status sparked considerable buzz. In late September, she posted a cozy photo on her Instagram Story with a mystery man, calling him her “baby” and expressing that he was “full of love and positivity and his body is my wonderland.” This post led many to believe she had officially debuted a new boyfriend, marking a new chapter over a year after her high-profile split from Jo Koy. The internet quickly lit up with speculation and excitement for the beloved comedian.
However, Chelsea, ever the master of her own narrative, swiftly clarified the situation. In a follow-up video on her Instagram Story, she humorously debunked the rumors, stating, “I did not announce a new boyfriend on Instagram. That man is a bartender right next door to my house in Mallorca and that’s why he’s my baby.” With her signature wit and directness, she confirmed that she remains happily single at the moment, enjoying her independence and the casual company of her Mallorcan “baby.” This playful exchange is characteristic of Handler’s approach to media and personal life, always keeping her audience on their toes.
Despite her current single status, Chelsea Handler’s past relationships have frequently been subjects of public interest and her own comedic material. Let’s take a closer look at the notable men who have been part of her romantic history, each playing a role in her journey of self-discovery and growth.
Ted Harbert
In the earlier stages of Chelsea Handler’s rise to comedic stardom, she was romantically involved with Ted Harbert, a prominent figure in the entertainment industry and then-Comcast CEO and head of E! Networks. Their relationship spanned from 2005 to 2010, coinciding with a pivotal time in Handler’s career when her groundbreaking talk show, Chelsea Lately, first premiered on E! Ted, now 68, has had an illustrious career, starting at ABC where he eventually became chairman, and later holding executive positions at major companies like NBC Studios before his tenure as president of E! Networks. This professional overlap ultimately became a significant factor in their relationship’s conclusion.
Chelsea openly discussed the reasons behind their split in a 2012 interview with Marie Claire. She explained that the blending of their professional and personal lives created an untenable situation. “I would come home from work, and Ted would be like, ‘Do you want to watch your show?’ and I’d be like, ‘No, I just came from my show. That’s the last thing I’d want to do.’ That was the reason it didn’t work out, ultimately. I think,” she candidly revealed. This lack of separation made it difficult for them to maintain a healthy romantic dynamic, as their work frequently intruded upon their private moments. The intensity of their respective careers, especially with Ted being Chelsea’s boss, proved to be a hurdle they couldn’t overcome, leading to an amicable parting of ways that allowed both to continue thriving in their professional spheres.
50 Cent
Following her separation from Ted Harbert, Chelsea Handler embarked on a brief but memorable romance with acclaimed rapper 50 Cent (Curtis Jackson), now 48, in 2011. While their relationship was short-lived and details often remained private, their playful dynamic has frequently resurfaced in the public eye, indicating a lasting camaraderie. Their connection was notably highlighted during the 2020 election when 50 Cent expressed support for then-President Donald Trump. Chelsea, seizing the opportunity with her characteristic wit, publicly “mocked” him on Twitter, responding to his political stance by declaring he “used to be my favorite ex-boyfriend.” This humorous jab quickly went viral.
The exchange escalated in a distinctly Chelsea Handler fashion. After her initial public disapproval, she appeared on The Tonight Show and, with a smile, offered 50 Cent “another chance” at love if he were to denounce Trump. True to the playful nature of their bond, 50 Cent did indeed reverse his political endorsement, attributing it to Chelsea’s influence. This public back-and-forth, though political in context, clearly demonstrated the unique and good-natured relationship the two maintained. Their bond proved to be more than just a passing fling, as further evidenced when Chelsea was hospitalized for an unspecified health scare in February 2022. A source exclusively revealed to HollywoodLife that 50 Cent reached out to ensure her well-being. “When Fifty heard the news about Chelsea being hospitalized and canceling some of her shows, he reached out to her to see if she was doing OK and to check up on her,” the source stated, emphasizing, “Fifty genuinely cares about Chelsea and he’ll always have her back no matter what.” This interaction underscored that despite the brevity of their romance, a genuine and enduring friendship had formed between the two outspoken personalities.
Andre Balazs
Following her brief connection with 50 Cent, Chelsea Handler entered an on-again, off-again relationship with prominent businessman and luxury hotelier Andre Balazs, now 66. Their romance was characterized by its stop-start nature, largely influenced by the geographical distance and the demands of their respective high-profile careers. Chelsea shed light on the initial challenges of their relationship during a 2012 appearance on Marc Maron’s WTF podcast. She candidly explained that the constant travel and effort required to bridge the gap between their lives ultimately took a toll.
“He lived in New York and I lived in L.A., and it was a constant back and forth, flying and meeting each other,” she recounted, as reported by Us Weekly. “It was just exhausting.” This exhausting cycle of long-distance dating, despite her stated preference for such arrangements – “I prefer a long-distance relationship because I don’t really want to deal with someone on a daily basis” – eventually proved too demanding. The logistical complexities and the sheer energy required to maintain their connection led to repeated separations. While Chelsea often champions independence in relationships, even long-distance ones, the intensity of their busy schedules and the commitment to making it work across coasts became an overwhelming factor.
The final breakup, which occurred in 2013, appeared to be definitive. Chelsea openly discussed the end of their relationship with her friend and fellow actress Mary McCormack on an episode of Chelsea Lately. According to People, McCormack, known for her role in The West Wing, lightheartedly prompted Handler about her “single situation,” confirming the split in a typically unreserved conversation. This public acknowledgment solidified the end of their two-year, albeit intermittent, romantic journey. Despite the difficulties, both Handler and Balazs continued to lead successful lives in their individual fields, reflecting Chelsea’s resilient spirit and her ability to move forward with grace and humor.
Jo Koy
Chelsea Handler’s most recent significant relationship was with a fitting partner: fellow comedian Jo Koy. Their connection wasn’t new, as the Comin’ In Hot comic had been a regular guest and familiar face on Chelsea Lately for many years, laying the groundwork for a deep friendship that eventually blossomed into romance. In September 2021, Chelsea officially confirmed their relationship with a tweet announcing her “Vaccinated and Horny” tour, accompanied by a photo of herself cozied up to Jo at a baseball game. This revelation delighted fans who had long observed their natural chemistry.
Once their relationship became public, the two funny people were absolutely smitten with each other, often sharing glimpses of their happiness with their followers. Chelsea particularly gushed over Jo in a heartfelt Instagram caption accompanying a photo she posted from Mallorca, Spain. In this post, she eloquently expressed her overwhelming gratitude and joy, revealing a profound sense of contentment in her life. “Just sitting here in Mallorca thinking about how grateful I am to have so many people that I love in my life, to live the life I do and to be going on tour doing what I love,” she wrote. She added a poignant personal detail, “I’m finally in love, with the best kind of guy there is. There is hope for everyone! That kind of stuff.” Her words resonated deeply, suggesting that this relationship had brought her a new level of emotional fulfillment and belief in enduring love.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Chelsea Handler (@chelseahandler)
However, the fairytale romance took an unexpected turn. On July 18, 2022, a date that would have marked their one-year anniversary, Chelsea announced with a heavy heart that she and Jo Koy had decided to take a break from their relationship. She shared the news alongside a sweet video of the former couple, penning a thoughtful and moving message to her fans. “In anticipation of celebrating our first year together, Jo and I recorded this video early, but as many of you have noticed, it is with a heavy heart to announce that we have decided together that it is best for us to take a break from our relationship right now,” she wrote, demonstrating her commitment to transparency.
Chelsea acknowledged the significant investment her fans had in their love story, stating, “I know many of you were invested in our love, and I wanted to express to you how much that meant to both of us. How much it still means. And how much I now believe in love for each one of us. This man blew my heart open with love and because of him, my life experience has changed forever. To be loved and adored by @jokoy has been one of the greatest gifts of my life. He renewed my faith in men, in love, in being 100% who I am, and I’ve never been more optimistic for the future.” Her words highlighted a profound personal transformation, attributing much of her renewed optimism and self-acceptance to her time with Jo Koy.
She continued, expressing her deep appreciation for Jo’s impact on her creative and professional life: “Jo- you blew my creativity open, my lust for working hard again, being on the road again, and you reminded me who I was and always have been, and my feet have never been more firmly planted in the ground.” Ever the optimist, Chelsea reframed the breakup not as an end but as “another beginning,” offering comfort to her followers with the poetic sentiment, “it’s a comfort to know that I am still loved and love this man the way the sun loves the moon and the moon loves the sun. YOUR PERSON IS COMING. So, please continue to root for both of us, because you never know what life will bring and let’s first start by all going to the theater on August 5th to buy tickets to Jo’s new movie EASTER SUNDAY and Filipino PRIDE! Let’s go!”
Jo Koy later addressed the breakup himself in August 2022 during an appearance on Today, echoing Chelsea’s sentiments of respect and enduring friendship. “Her and I have been friends forever, and it’s just like, we’re at that stage where we just realized that being friends is best,” he explained. He emphasized the maturity of their split, stating, “Just because it’s a breakup doesn’t mean we have to, like, hate. It doesn’t even make sense! We were friends before this, so we’re always going to be friends.” Both Handler and Koy handled their separation with remarkable grace and mutual admiration, demonstrating a level of maturity that resonated positively with their fans.