Amanda Kloots’ Candid Journey: Navigating Dating, Grief, and New Beginnings After Nick Cordero’s Tragic Loss
In a deeply personal and vulnerable revelation, Amanda Kloots, co-host of CBS’s popular daytime talk show The Talk, has shared intimate details about her return to the dating scene. This significant step comes just over a year after the heartbreaking passing of her beloved husband, Broadway star Nick Cordero, who tragically succumbed to complications from COVID-19. Kloots, 39, opened up during the July 23 episode of the show, admitting that putting herself out there again has been a challenging, yet necessary, part of her healing journey. Her honesty resonated with many, shedding light on the complexities of navigating love and loss in the public eye.
For Amanda, the concept of dating is relatively new, even at her age. She explained to her fellow co-hosts and millions of viewers that her previous romantic experiences diverged significantly from traditional dating. “Both of my husbands,” she began, “I met doing Broadway shows. We became friends first, then we got married.” This unique trajectory meant that the organic development of a relationship from friendship to marriage bypassed the often-unpredictable and sometimes daunting world of dating apps and first encounters that many people experience. Her first marriage was to actor David Larsen, followed by her union with Nick Cordero in 2017. This history underscores why embarking on a conventional dating journey now feels like an entirely new frontier for her.
The added dimension of motherhood further complicates her experience. “Obviously with Nick, we had a child,” she said, referring to their beloved son, Elvis Eduardo Cordero, who was born in 2019. Raising Elvis as a single mother while navigating the emotional landscape of grief and new relationships presents a distinct set of challenges. Her candid confession, “I’ve never actually had to date. I just started dating again and it is so crazy to be dating for the first time at 39 years old. And it’s quite terrifying and really out of your element, and it’s just hard. It is hard,” resonated deeply with many. This sentiment highlights the significant emotional hurdles she faces, from vulnerability to the sheer unfamiliarity of the process, especially given her personal history and public profile. The prospect of opening her heart again, while still carrying the profound loss of Nick, is a testament to her strength and her desire to embrace life fully.
Despite the inherent difficulties, Kloots emphasized the positive aspects of this new chapter. She shared, “It’s all wonderful. It’s wonderful people I’m meeting, and it’s been a great process so far. But I’ll just say it’s very hard without getting into too many details.” This balanced perspective acknowledges the pain and struggle while also recognizing the potential for growth and connection. Her journey is a poignant reminder that healing is not linear and that finding joy and companionship again does not diminish the love once shared. It’s about building a new future while honoring the past. Nick passed away at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles in July 2020 following a grueling 95-day battle with COVID-19. He was only 41 years old, having spent 13 weeks in the ICU, and undergoing extensive medical interventions, including being placed on a ventilator, amputating a leg, and enduring a tracheostomy. His valiant fight captivated the nation, with Amanda bravely sharing updates and rallying support, making their family’s tragedy a profoundly public experience.
As a mom-of-one who has faced unimaginable heartbreak and navigated her grief in the public eye, Amanda has also had to contend with unwarranted criticism. Soon after her announcement, she was quick to address and shut down trolls who dared to judge her for daring to date again. “How dare you judge anyone especially someone going through this process,” she wrote in a powerful response to a social media user’s insensitive comment. Her strong stance underscored a broader message about empathy and the societal pressures placed on widows and those grappling with profound loss. She promised to delve deeper into the topic, stating, “I will address this soon guys I promise. There’s too much to say and too much that widows deal with to not talk about it. Until then I will call out anyone who is rude enough to comment like this.” This promise highlights her dedication to advocating for others in similar situations, challenging the misconception that grief follows a predictable timeline or that moving forward implies forgetting.
The journey of a widow, particularly one with a young child, is incredibly complex. The decision to open one’s heart to new possibilities often comes with immense guilt, fear, and the scrutiny of others. For Amanda, who has been a beacon of strength and positivity throughout her ordeal, this new phase represents not a betrayal of her love for Nick, but a testament to her resilience and capacity for life. Her transparency about the difficulties—the fear, the feeling of being “out of your element”—offers comfort and validation to countless others who might feel similar emotions but lack a public platform to express them. It’s a testament to her courage to embrace life’s continuum, finding ways to honor Nick’s memory while also seeking personal happiness and companionship.
Beyond her personal revelations, Amanda Kloots has transformed her grief into a source of inspiration and advocacy. She co-authored the book “Live Your Life: My Story of Loving and Losing Nick Cordero,” which provides an intimate look into their relationship, Nick’s illness, and her profound journey through loss. Her role on The Talk has allowed her to share her experiences, connecting with a wide audience and normalizing discussions around grief, mental health, and resilience. She has often spoken about the importance of living life to the fullest, a philosophy she attributes to Nick, and her decision to date aligns perfectly with this ethos. It’s about finding joy and embracing opportunities, even when it feels daunting.
Earlier this month, Amanda penned a deeply heartfelt message to her late husband on the one-year anniversary of his death, offering a poignant glimpse into her enduring love and grief. “Today hurts, there is no other way around it,” she began, acknowledging the raw pain that resurfaces with such milestones. “One year ago you left us and became our angel in heaven. You were surrounded by so much love and Led Zeppelin playing on Spotify-no doubt that was your doing, not mine. What happened was unthinkable, losing you was my biggest fear. I used to tell you all the time, ‘Don’t you dare go anywhere. If I lost you, I don’t know what I’d do.’ ” This message serves as a powerful reminder that embarking on a new romantic chapter does not erase the love or the pain of loss. Instead, it’s a courageous act of balancing enduring grief with an optimistic outlook for the future, proving that the human heart has an extraordinary capacity to hold both profound sorrow and burgeoning hope simultaneously. Her ability to articulate these complex emotions has made her a relatable figure for many navigating their own paths through loss, further cementing her role as a voice for resilience and hope.
Her openness about dating has sparked important conversations about widowhood, societal expectations, and the right to seek happiness after loss. It challenges the conventional timelines often imposed by society on how long one should grieve or abstain from new relationships. Amanda Kloots’ journey is not just about finding new love; it’s about rediscovering herself, setting an example for her son, Elvis, about moving forward with strength and hope, and demonstrating that life, despite its unimaginable heartbreaks, continues to offer opportunities for connection, joy, and profound personal growth. Her story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of hope.