Andy Cohen Finally Addresses Rumors About His Relationship with John Mayer
Andy Cohen, the 56-year-old media mogul and creator of Bravo’s Real Housewives franchise, has finally addressed long-standing rumors about his relationship with singer-songwriter John Mayer. Known for hosting the hit late-night talk show Watch What Happens Live, Cohen’s prominence in the entertainment world has made him no stranger to media speculation.
The rumors surrounding Cohen and Mayer’s close friendship have circulated for years, prompting fans and observers to question whether their bond is purely platonic. A social media user summed up the widespread sentiment, writing: “I am happy for them if they are in a relationship. I love them both!”
A Friendship That Dates Back Years
Cohen and Mayer, 47, have been close friends since 2015, when the two embarked on a road trip together to see the legendary rock band Grateful Dead. Their friendship quickly blossomed, becoming a focal point of media interest.
During a recent appearance on The Howard Stern Show, Cohen candidly discussed his relationship with Mayer. When Stern pressed him on their friendship, Cohen responded: “I am in love with John Mayer. We are in love with each other.”
This declaration, however, was not what many assumed it to be. Cohen clarified that while he and Mayer share a deep affection for one another, their bond is strictly platonic.
Cohen’s Personal Life and Openness About Sexuality
Cohen has always been transparent about his sexuality, publicly coming out during the first Real Housewives of New Jersey reunion in 2009. He made history as the first openly gay host of an American late-night talk show when Watch What Happens Live debuted.
Although Cohen has never been married, he is a devoted father to two young children, Benjamin and Lucy, both born via surrogacy.
During his interview with Stern, the topic of Cohen and Mayer’s frequent camping trips arose, leading Stern to ask if anything sexual had ever transpired between the two. Cohen firmly denied the suggestion, even swearing on his children’s lives to underscore the platonic nature of their relationship.
Setting the Record Straight
This isn’t the first time Cohen has had to address rumors of a romantic relationship with Mayer. In an earlier interview with CNN, he said:
“Listen, we have a very sweet friendship, and we are together all the time. I think that I was not surprised [by the speculation] because we also have a great love for each other. So, it just seems like the obvious assumption.”
More recently, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter (THR), Cohen addressed the ongoing scrutiny. The interviewer commented on how some people struggle to accept the idea of a close platonic relationship between a straight rock star and a gay TV personality.
Cohen responded:
“Let them speculate! I honestly love John Mayer, and he loves me. But because we’re so affectionate toward each other, people don’t know what box to put that in. They assume we’re sleeping with each other, which we are most definitely not.”
John Mayer’s Perspective
Mayer, known for his hits like “Your Body Is a Wonderland,” also weighed in on the discussion. In response to the THR article, Mayer penned a thoughtful email to Maer Roshan, the outlet’s co-editor-in-chief, defending the integrity of his friendship with Cohen.
Mayer pointed out that close friendships between rock stars and members of the LGBTQ+ community are not uncommon and emphasized that such relationships do not need to be sexualized.
He wrote:
“I’d like to think people are sophisticated enough to see a relationship like ours without assuming it must include a sexual component. That turns the concept of being gay into an ignorantly two-dimensional one, which I know you know it’s not.”
Mayer concluded the email by addressing the broader implications of such assumptions:
“Reinforcing the idea that any gay/straight relationship needs qualification that it’s not sexual devoids everyone involved of their dignity.”
A Celebration of Friendship
Despite the ongoing speculation, both Cohen and Mayer have maintained that their relationship is one of mutual respect, affection, and camaraderie. In their view, the public’s inability to accept a platonic bond between a gay man and a straight man speaks to larger societal issues about how relationships are understood and categorized.
As Cohen aptly put it, “People don’t know what box to put us in.”
For Mayer, the conversation is an opportunity to challenge stereotypes and encourage a more nuanced understanding of human relationships. Their friendship, built on trust and shared experiences, serves as a reminder that love and connection exist in many forms.
Conclusion
The relationship between Andy Cohen and John Mayer has captivated fans and fueled headlines for years, but both men remain steadfast in their message: theirs is a friendship built on affection and mutual respect, unclouded by the assumptions of others.
In a world quick to label and categorize, Cohen and Mayer’s bond stands as a testament to the power of authentic, platonic relationships—and a reminder that love isn’t confined to romantic or sexual dimensions.
