Kathy Griffin calls 22-year-old boyfriend tease an experiment

Kathy Griffin is clearing the air after teasing being in a relationship with someone 43 years her junior.

The comedian, 65, took to Instagram Thursday, July 9 to share a photo of her holding hands with a younger man, writing in the caption, "He's 22. Have at it, internet. " The post garnered a variety of reactions, with some expressing disapproval and others offering their support.

One user wrote, "Since they all eventually act like five-year-olds anyway, might as well go for shiny and new. Less maintenance and upkeep." Another declared, "If he is opening the car door for you, keep him. More class at 22 than most men!"

At one point, Griffin reacted to the response to the post, writing, "I AM DYING AT THESE COMMENTS ."

The next day, she made a follow-up post revealing it was all a joke.

"You Guys! Thanks to all those who participated in my social media sociological experiment!" Griffin said on Friday, July 10. "No, I'm not dating this 22 year-old. He was helping me with security during my trip to NYC. But ...what if I were? The reactions were fascinating."

She explained that her Instagram comments mostly consisted of people saying, "Get it, gurllll!" and "He's so good for you!" On Threads, however, Griffin said she got "a whole lot more slut-shaming, accusations of 'grooming,' and debates about how 'gross' it would be for a 65-year-old woman to date a younger man."

"Older men have been dating younger women since the beginning of time...just ask Luke Wilson, 54, who just had a beautiful baby with his 24 year-old girlfriend or Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart, Jay-Z and Beyonce...some of the most long-lasting beautiful relationships in my beloved (though ageist and sexist) industry," she continued, listing off celebrities who have significant age gaps with their partners.

Griffin concluded, "Relax... just a little harmless fun with you guys with an IG post."

The comments filled with reactions to the stunt, including several words of praise for the message Griffin was trying to send. "I love the double standard…If it's a man and his third wife is 30 years his junior not a word is said," someone wrote. "Girl, you do you," said another.

Kathy Griffin has dated a younger man before

This wouldn't have been the first time Griffin was involved with a younger man. In December, she revealed she fell in love with a 23-year-old shortly after she split from ex-husband Randy Bick.

"I accidentally fell in love with a 23-year-old," she wrote in a piece for The Cut. "Because of his age, he didn't have the usual sexism, misogyny, and biases that guys my age tend to have. He seemed to see me. I know that sounds really corny. Oh God, it sounds so lame! But I felt really comfortable with him, and I felt very content just hanging out."

While it didn't last, Griffin said she didn't regret the experience, noting, "I knew he was too young when he told me he never wanted to have kids and that he could be with me forever. And I was like: 'You don't know that. You're 23. You have no idea.' So I had to set that dove free."

Contributing: Charles Trepany, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kathy Griffin calls 22-year-old boyfriend tease an experiment

Reporting by Liza Esquibias, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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This story was originally published July 10, 2026 at 7:06 PM.