Cynthia Bailey has found love with a younger man. The former Real Housewives of Atlanta (RHOA) star, 57, dished the news about her new beaux during an interview with Us Weekly as she was attending the 15th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting at The Abbey on Dec. 1.
“He just checks all my boxes,” the beautiful model and mother gushed about her new man, who she reportedly met in Amsterdam and described as a European musician, according to the outlet.
Bailey did not give details about her man’s name, age, or additional information about his background, but the star reassured the outlet that she was happy with her new romance. According to the former peach holder, her boyfriend has “been nothing but consistent …loving and kind” since the start of their relationship.
Fans will get a glimpse of Bailey’s man in Season 16 of RHOA, set to return to Bravo in 2025. Although she departed from the series in 2021, Bailey will make a few guest appearances as a friend during the upcoming season.
“You do see some snippets of him,” Bailey revealed. “Like, we FaceTime a lot. And every time we would FaceTime, the cameras would be zooming in, so you might get a little sneak peek.”
Bailey and her younger beau are currently in a long-distance relationship, but they’re making it work. The 57-year-old shared with Us Weekly that she plans to visit him in Switzerland over the Christmas holiday to see him perform.
“He’s able to come and visit me a lot and now that it’s the holidays, I’m able to go to Europe,” she shared. “We kind of have a rule at this point. If it’s more than like a month, month and a half, he’ll come here.”
This isn’t the first time that the reality TV vet has spoken openly about her new romance.
In November, while attending the Bravo Fan Fest, Bailey told Us Weekly that she was “very much in love” with her new man.
“You know, dating is really not easy, especially at this point in my life,” she continued. “I am, you know, a little up there, [a] woman of a certain age, but I will say that I just said to God, send me my person. I didn’t give him a list or anything, and Amsterdam showed up, and it’s been almost eight months now, and I’m really happy.”
She also revealed how she met her boyfriend. The couple started talking to one another after attending an event in LA.
“I wasn’t looking for a young guy. He found me,” the muse shared. “Well, we actually saw each other for the first time at an event in L.A. and we didn’t talk, but he did slide into my DMs a couple of days later, and it worked.”
If you’re hoping to see the star’s boyfriend before Season 16 of RHOA airs, you may be out of luck. You won’t find Bailey’s new man on social media. “He doesn’t even watch the show. He has no idea what’s happening,” she added.
Why Do Women Date Younger Men?
The dynamics of age-gap relationships, particularly with older women and younger men, have sparked a lot of curiosity and discussion. A 2023 study by Psychology Today observed around 200 heterosexual women in relationships, divided into three categories: those who were significantly older than their male partners (on average, 22 years older), those who were significantly younger (about 17 years younger on average), and those whose ages were close (with only a 3-year age difference). Surprisingly, the women who were 10 or more years older than their male partners reported the highest levels of satisfaction and commitment, outperforming both younger women in relationships with older men and those in couples of similar age.
This could be because the age gap shifts the power dynamics, potentially fostering a more equal partnership. Research consistently shows that relationships with more equality tend to be more fulfilling, and perhaps the older woman/younger man model supports this by creating a more balanced dynamic.
Additionally, there might be an element of power dynamics at play, as many men find themselves attracted to the idea of submitting to a dominant, confident older woman. For these men, the notion of an older woman as a leader or authority figure might be highly appealing.
The Role of Age and Longevity
One important factor influencing why older women may choose younger partners is longevity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the average life expectancy for women in the U.S. is around 80 years, compared to 73 years for men, based on 2022 data from the CDC and a 2023 report from Stat News. This age gap in life expectancy may encourage widows or divorcees to look for romantic relationships with younger men, continuing to defy traditional norms of age-based partnerships and helping normalize such relationships. With women statistically living longer, it makes sense that they might choose younger partners to align more closely with their long-term goals.
Sexual Satisfaction and Relationship Dynamics
A February 2024 IPSOS study further explored the dynamics of age-gap relationships. Among individuals who dated someone significantly older or younger, 69% of women and men rated their sexual satisfaction and enjoyment as “good to excellent.” However, there was a notable gender difference: 79% of men rated their sexual fulfillment highly, compared to only 57% of women.
Additionally, when considering relationships with a 10+ year age gap, many reported that the older partner often took on the financial responsibility for experiences like vacations, dinners, and dates. About 50% of people in such relationships said the older partner typically covered these expenses, whereas only 6% said the younger partner was the main financial contributor. In terms of intimacy, 59% of people with a 10+ year age gap said the older partner initiated sex or intimacy, compared to just 22% for the older partner and 19% for the younger.
Despite the challenges often associated with large age gaps, a majority of Americans see more benefits than drawbacks to dating or marrying someone significantly younger. For many, the perceived advantages include physical attractiveness (46%) and the energy or stamina associated with youth (39%). Interestingly, men are more likely than women to list physical attractiveness as a benefit (58% vs. 36%), suggesting that appearance plays a large role in why men pursue younger partners.
Men and Younger Women: Do These Relationships Work?
While women dating younger men is an emerging trend, it’s more common for men to date younger women, and this has been studied extensively. A 2020 large-scale study that analyzed mate preferences across 45 countries found that most men prioritize physical appearance in a partner, a preference that may have roots in evolutionary biology. In our primitive past, traits like youth, symmetrical features, and wide hips were seen as indicators of health and fertility—qualities associated with reproductive success.
However, when the age gap between partners exceeds 10 years, reported relationship satisfaction tends to dip. A comprehensive 2016 study review suggested that larger age differences in relationships may lead to diminishing returns when it comes to long-term satisfaction. While attraction based on physical appearance may initially fuel a relationship, the age gap can sometimes result in challenges in maintaining long-term happiness and stability.
Gabrielle Union and Keyshia Cole have dated and married younger men, too.
Cynthia Bailey isn’t the only star who has dated younger men. Keyshia Cole, the R&B singer known for her hits like “Love”, has had a few high-profile relationships with younger men. Notably, the 43-year-old singer dated and married former NBA player Daniel Gibson, 38. The pair jumped the broom in 2011, though they eventually separated in 2017 due to Gibson’s infidelity, according to People. They share a son together.
“That was a lot of the reason why I didn’t get a divorce through all the cheating,” Cole told People in a 2023 interview, noting how her son’s emotions caused her to delay her separation from Gibson. “Because it was like, I just want to do it for my kid, you know what I’m saying? Like, ‘Can he have two parents in the same home?’”
Despite the ups and downs, Cole has shown that age isn’t a barrier when it comes to finding love. Now, Cole appears to be happily dating rapper Hunxho who is reportedly 25 years old. Things seem to be serious between the two. The young hip-hop artist surprised Cole with a new car for her birthday in October and the singer reportedly has a tattoo of the rapper’s name on her chest.
Gabrielle Union is another example. The 52-year-old actress has long advocated for healthy, thriving relationships, and her marriage to NBA star Dwyane Wade, 42, is a prime example of that. Instyle noted that the couple first met in 2007 at a Super Bowl party and tied the knot in 2014. Together, they have built a strong partnership both personally and professionally, working on several projects together over the years.
Union and Wade also share a blended family. They have a daughter, Kaavia James, born via surrogate in 2018, and both are actively involved in the lives of Wade’s children from previous relationships. Dwyane has three children from previous marriages—Zaire, Zaya, and Xavier—whom Gabrielle has embraced as her own. The family is known for its close bond and for being advocates of inclusivity and support for one another, especially in the case of Zaya Wade, Dwyane’s transgender daughter, whom Gabrielle has been vocal in her unwavering support for. Through their shared parenting journey, Gabrielle and Dwyane continue to be strong advocates for love, acceptance, and family unity.
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