Kathy Griffin Reveals 22-Year-Old 'Boyfriend' Was A 'Social Experiment'
Kathy Griffin is keeping us on our toes.
In an Instagram shared on Friday, the comedian, 65, let her followers know that her previous post, which was seemingly a hard launch of a relationship with a 22-year-old was a "social media sociological experiment."
"No, I'm not dating this 22 year-old," she said. "He was helping me with security during my trip to NYC. But ...what if I were? The reactions were fascinating."
She went on to explain that on Instagram, the comments she received were mostly supportive, while over on Threads the feedback was much more negative.
"Older men have been dating younger women since the beginning of time," she wrote. "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."
"Relax... just a little harmless fun with you guys with an IG post," she concluded, and shared information of her upcoming tour. "You guys know me. Always workin [sic]."
Commenters immediately responded to the prank in support of the comedian.
"Great experiment I love it," one said. "It just goes to show you how asinine people are jumping into conclusions thinking they know f---ing everything."
"Love this my Queen," another said.
"Kathy: After everything that you've been through during the last seven years, you are entitled to date anyone that you deem suitable," another wrote, referring to her controversial past.
The original post, which made waves on Thursday showed the longtime comedian holding hands with the younger man in question.
"He's 22. Have at it, internet," she captioned the Instagram photo.
Funny enough though, Griffin has dated, and married, younger men in the past.
In 2001, she married Matt Moline, who was almost 10 years younger than her. The two divorced in 2006. The actress remarried in 2020 at age 59. Her second husband, Randy Bick, was 42, they divorced five years later.
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This story was originally published July 10, 2026 at 6:25 PM.