Chelsea Handler’s Unexpected Crush on Andrew Cuomo: A Look Back at the Pandemic Era
The COVID-19 pandemic was a time of unimaginable challenge for the world, but for Chelsea Handler, it also brought about an unexpected and somewhat peculiar crush on former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. In a recent interview with the New York Post’s Page Six, Handler opened up about her flirtation with Cuomo during the height of the pandemic, revealing a series of racy text messages exchanged between the two in 2020. While Handler admits to having "deep sexual feelings" for Cuomo at the time, she now expresses relief that their flirtation never came to fruition, referring to the situation as "dodging a bullet."
Handler, known for her bold and unapologetic humor, first publicly acknowledged her attraction to Cuomo in her 2020 comedy special, Chelsea Handler: Evolution. In the special, she playfully admitted her attraction to older men, singling out Cuomo as the object of her desire. "I want him to flatten my curve, then I want to flatten his curve. And then I want us to apex together," she joked, referencing both the pandemic’s iconic "flatten the curve" slogan and her own playful take on intimacy. Her comments were met with both surprise and amusement, as many viewers found themselves caught off guard by her candid admission.
The "Cuomosexual" Phenomenon: Why America Was Smitten with Andrew Cuomo
Chelsea Handler wasn’t alone in her admiration for Andrew Cuomo during the pandemic. In fact, she was part of a larger cultural phenomenon that emerged in the early days of COVID-19, where many Americans, particularly women, found themselves drawn to the former governor’s leadership and perceived charm. This collective crush even spawned a tongue-in-cheek term: "Cuomosexuals." The label was used to describe those who couldn’t help but admire Cuomo’s authoritative yet empathetic approach to handling the pandemic, especially as it contrasted with the more polarizing and divisive leadership at the federal level.
Handler herself summed up the allure of Cuomo during an appearance on The View in 2020. "We were so dehydrated for real leadership that when he came on the scene looking like this big Italian hunk, I was like … ‘I’ll wear a mask. I’ll put a mask on every part of my body,’" she quipped, capturing the sentiment of many who were starved for competence and reassurance. For a brief moment, Cuomo became a sort of unlikely sex symbol, embodying the strength and stability that many craved during a time of unprecedented uncertainty.
The Fallout: Andrew Cuomo’s Downfall and the End of an Era
However, what began as a lighthearted and even humorous chapter in the pandemic’s history took a dark turn when serious allegations against Cuomo began to surface. In 2021, an investigation by the New York attorney general found that Cuomo had sexually harassed at least 11 women, leading to his resignation in August of that year. A separate investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice further revealed that Cuomo had created a sexually hostile work environment for at least 13 state employees, with his staffers allegedly retaliating against four women who came forward with complaints.
Cuomo has consistently denied any wrongdoing, dismissing the allegations as politically motivated attacks. Yet, the damage was done. The man who had once been heralded as a hero of the pandemic was now facing widespread condemnation, and his personal and professional reputation lay in tatters. For Chelsea Handler, the fallout marked the end of her brief but highly publicized crush. "It seemed he preferred touching women who weren’t interested in him rather than touching women who were," she wrote in her new memoir, I’ll Have What She’s Having, reflecting on the situation with a mix of humor and regret.
Chelsea Handler Reflects: "Dodging Bullets" and Learning from Experience
While Handler’s flirtation with Cuomo ultimately ended in disappointment, she has chosen to approach the situation with her signature wit and self-awareness. "My life is filled with dodging bullets," she told Page Six, referring to her ability to navigate potentially dicey situations. "I’ve been dodging bullets since I was 4," she added, suggesting that this was just one of many close calls in her life. Her sister, she revealed, often remarks on her knack for escaping problematic situations, though Handler jokes that her sibling doesn’t seem particularly impressed by this talent.
Handler’s ability to laugh at herself and find humor in even the most awkward of circumstances is a hallmark of her personality. In her memoir, she acknowledges that things could have gone much differently if she hadn’t been so upfront about her intentions. "We could have ended up in bed," she writes, "if I hadn’t been so forward and declared what I was looking for." Instead, Cuomo ghosted her, leaving her to ponder what could have been. While she doesn’t express outright regret, there’s a clear sense of reflection in her words, as if she’s still processing the whole experience.
Lessons Learned: The Power of Hindsight and the Pitfalls of Public Crushes
In hindsight, it’s easy to see how the combination of a global crisis and a charismatic leader could have led to such an unusual infatuation. For many, including Handler, Cuomo represented a sense of control and confidence at a time when the world felt utterly chaotic. His daily briefings were a source of comfort, and his no-nonsense approach to leadership was a balm to those feeling adrift. Yet, as the months passed and the allegations against him came to light, it became clear that the public image of Cuomo was far from the full story.
Handler’s experience serves as a reminder of the pitfalls of projecting our desires onto public figures. While it’s natural to develop crushes on people we admire, it’s important to remember that there’s often a disconnect between the personas we see on screens and reality. For Handler, what began as a playful and seemingly harmless attraction ended up becoming a cautionary tale about the dangers of mixing politics and romance. "It always seems to work out for you!" her sister remarks, but Handler’s tone suggests that this particular chapter in her life was anything but straightforward.
Moving Forward: Chelsea Handler’s Memoir and the Art of Self-Reflection
Despite the ups and downs of her flirtation with Cuomo, Handler has emerged from the experience with her sense of humor and self-awareness intact. Her memoir, I’ll Have What She’s Having, offers a candid look at her life, including her relationships, career, and personal growth. While the Cuomo episode is just one small part of the book, it serves as a microcosm for her larger journey of self-discovery and resilience.
Handler’s story is a testament to the power of humor and self-reflection in navigating life’s challenges. Even when things don’t go as planned—and even when they go spectacularly wrong—she refuses to take herself too seriously. In the end, her ability to laugh at herself and find the absurdity in even the most uncomfortable situations is what makes her so relatable. Whether she’s dodging bullets or spilling the tea on her personal life, Chelsea Handler remains a figure of both strength and vulnerability, proving that even in the face of setbacks, life can still be a punchline.
The Broader Picture: The Pandemic, Leadership, and the Blurred Lines Between Admiration and Reality
As we look back on the pandemic era, the story of Andrew Cuomo’s rise and fall serves as a stark reminder of the complexities of leadership and the dangers of placing individuals on pedestals. While Cuomo’s initial response to the pandemic earned him widespread praise, the subsequent allegations against him revealed the cracks beneath the surface of his public persona. For many, including Handler, this was a difficult pill to swallow, as it forced them to confront the difference between the leader they admired and the man he truly was.
Yet, even in the wake of such a disappointment, there’s something valuable to be learned. For Handler, the experience became a teachable moment, one that underscored the importance of staying grounded and maintaining a critical eye, even when caught up in the whirlwind of admiration or infatuation. It’s a lesson that resonates far beyond the confines of her personal story, offering a broader commentary on the way we view and interact with public figures. In the end, Handler’s tale is not just about Andrew Cuomo—it’s about the human tendency to seek hope and connection, even in the most unlikely places. And while that may sometimes lead to heartbreak or disillusionment, it also speaks to our capacity for resilience, humor, and growth.
