What is it about age-gap relationships that catalyses such heated speculation and discussion? Relationships where a considerable number of years stand between partners have always been a hot topic. Social commentators collectively flock to their platform of choice to share their opinions on the matter. A-Lister Leonardo DiCaprio’s love life is currently on the chopping block of public discussion and not for the first time. DiCaprio is currently rumoured to be dating 19-year-old model Eden Polani, who is 29 years his junior. Regardless of the decades long age gap, in the eyes of the law the relationship has been given the green light. So what’s the problem? Why is there an en masse discomfort for this particular relationship, when age-gap relationships are so prevalent within Hollywood?
Many stars are guilty of this ambiguous crime, as age-gap relationships are customary within the industry. George Clooney, Jason Statham, Jeff Goldblum, and Michael Douglas are all at least 17 years their wives’ senior, to name just a few. Although not as common, relationships where women hold seniority are known in Hollywood. Most notably Sam and Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s relationship has recently been subject to scrutiny online. Their relationship began when he was 18 and she 42, a gap of 24 years, where they met as director and rising star.
Many stars are guilty of this ambiguous crime, as age-gap relationships are customary within the industry’
So rich and powerful celebrities are ‘trading in for a younger model’, what’s new? They’ve chosen youth and beauty, and we, the public, begrudgingly accept that if we could, maybe we would too. The topic conjures up mental images of Hefner-esque stars with leggy, blonde ‘eye candy’ on their arms.
The looming aspect of power, in both age and affluence, creates an unfair dynamic in favour of one party. This imbalance, especially in the case of such young women, potentially puts them at a disadvantage, and arguably more so in Hollywood than in everyday life. Unfortunately, the bright lights of stardom often disguise actions which we would otherwise question, in all aspects of life. Celebrities’ blunders, large or small, criminal or otherwise, are afforded the free pass of fame; drugs, alcohol and immoral acts are chalked up to a ‘rock and roll’ lifestyle. If your 48-year-old neighbour began dating a teenager young enough to be his daughter, would your opinion of him change?
Leonardo DiCaprio’s string of relationships with much younger women is the extreme of this industry trend, with online commentary highlighting that the star has never dated a woman over the age of 25. However, the age-gap relationship taboo still stands within society; is age ever just a number? In short: celebrities are afforded more acceptance because of their social standing, adulation, and the power they hold. A middle-aged man and his teenage girlfriend was always going to raise eyebrows, and perhaps DiCaprio has brought to light what makes age-gap relationships uncomfortable, chipping away at the impenetrable veneer of fame.