Keanu Reeves Receives Criticism For ‘Dating A Mature Woman’ But He Stands By Partner Alexandra Grant
Actor Keanu Reeves, 59, is known to be one of Hollywood’s nicest guys. On top of being a movie star, in recent years, he’s also developed a reputation as “the internet’s boyfriend” due to how much netizens love him. There are many reasons that fans love Reeves — from the fact that he’s a bonafide action star whose filmography includes “The Matrix” and “John Wick” franchises, among other notable movies, to becoming the star of many popular memes. Reeves is simply one of Hollywood’s most beloved actors and an icon of the internet.
While Reeves is known for being one of Hollywood’s most beloved, friendly, and down-to-earth actors, he also has a dark past that is full of heartbreak. This included the loss of a daughter, who was stillborn, with his then-girlfriend Jennifer Syme before she herself passed away unexpectedly during a car accident, all within the space of about two years.
After taking time for himself to heal, the eligible bachelor then sought love and eventually fell in love with 50-year-old American visual artist Alexandra Grant. Overnight, the world became interested in the woman who stole Reeves’ heart. Notably, Reeves and Grant are a couple who are confident about showing the public their admiration. At the 2023 Museum of Contemporary Art Gala, Reeves and Grant had a very public display of affection on the red carpet, surprising many of their fans worldwide.
But alongside joy for the couple, the artist has been dealt an unfair amount of criticism too. Many comments have been sexist and ageist. However, despite the negativity that surrounded the couple, their love prevailed, and they have not shied away from expressing their love and affection for each other.
Reeves and Grant’s relationship first became public in November 2019, when they were photographed holding hands at a Los Angeles event, as reported by People Magazine. The couple had already been together for a few years but hadn’t gone public until then. Interest in Grant, who is an artist and philanthropist based in Los Angeles, grew quickly. According to The New York Times, the two met at a dinner party in 2009, and after that, they became business partners and friends.
They even collaborated on a 2011 book, “Ode to Happiness.” This led them to build a publishing house together, X Artists’ Books, which is described on their website as “a small publisher of thoughtful, high-quality, artist-centered books that fit within and between genres.”
In March 2020, Grant gave an interview with Vogue magazine. In it, she explained that many friends and acquaintances contacted her with questions about her relationship when she and Reeves first went public.
While it seems like they’re a good match, not everyone seems to think that Reeves and Grant’s relationship makes total sense, especially since Grant isn’t exactly a typical Hollywood girlfriend, as she herself admitted in the same interview.
“I’m a 6ft 1in woman with white hair,” she told the magazine. “You know, the idea of fitting in. If I wanted to look like Kim Kardashian, I would have to have surgery removing about a foot off my legs.”
But regardless of what people think of Reeves’s romance with Grant, it’s nice to see the actor in a happy relationship. After everything he’s been through, he deserves it.
Meanwhile, the criticism directed at the couple, and Grant specifically, was regarding her age and whether she’d still be able to have children.
“I hope he finds someone younger so he can have children,” someone wrote.
This raised another issue about the expectation of women to have children, as well as drawing an inaccurate link between age and motherhood. To begin with, it’s not the public’s business whether Grant and Reeves wish to have children together.
Another unfair criticism directed toward the couple came in the form of a backhanded compliment that Reeves was dating someone age-appropriate. Although she’s nearly 10 years younger than the movie star, it opened up the discussion about how common it is for men in Hollywood to date much younger women.
Kate Spicer, a writer for the Daily Mail, explained that it seemed like people were having a tough time coming to terms with the fact that Reeves is dating an older woman that has gray hair. “Yet shock – even horror – is expressed every time a new picture of the couple emerges,” she said.
And it’s not that Grant is older than Reeves, as she is actually almost a decade younger than him; it’s the fact that she is older than what people are used to for a Hollywood actor to be linked to.
“People can’t seem to get over the fact that a heartthrob is dating a mature woman, rather than a lithe young girl with puffy lips and a spookily immobile face,” Spicer said.
Spicer questioned what the real problem was, wondering if it was because they are close in age or if it was because Reeves is known for being very handsome while Grant may not be seen as “conventionally” pretty.
On top of that, there are no reports of Grant having had any cosmetic work done, unlike many starlets in Hollywood.
Grant’s relationship with Reeves has brought up a lot of the unfair bias toward women in the public eye. Despite being subjected to unwarranted criticism, Grant has taken it in her stride and even used her platform to help shift outdated ideas. When asked how she defined beauty, Grant said:
“I was thinking about this idea of, ‘What is beauty to me?’ … Ultimately, I think it’s love. And it’s truly loving yourself. It’s loving the people in your community. And it’s learning how to love people who are truly different than who you are.”
And although the couple has continued to face criticism and unnecessary comments about Grant, the two remain very much in love. Reeves, to show appreciation and adoration to his partner, has always spoken dearly about Grant and their relationship.
Talking to People Magazine, Reeves had a very passionate revelation when he was asked when the last time he felt bliss was:
“A couple of days ago with my honey. We were in bed. We were connected. We were smiling and laughing and giggling. Feeling great. It was just really nice to be together.”
During the 2023 Museum of Contemporary Art Gala Red Carpet, Reeves and Grant arrived. As the two arrived on the red carpet, they smiled warmly and posed before the camera. At one point, they had a very public display of affection – the couple kissed on the lips as photographers snapped them. Talk about a big statement to the haters, as the couple remained unfazed despite everything.
Are you a Keanu Reeves fan? What can you say about his relationship with Alexandra Grant? Aren’t they sweet? Let us know, and pass this on to your family, friends and other Keanu Reeves fans!
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