Dane Cook Marriage To Kelsi Taylor Resurfaces Grooming Allegations

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Greg Doherty/Getty Images for HollyShorts Film Festival

Comedian Dane Cook, 51, has married his girlfriend of six years, Kelsi Taylor, who is 24. The couple reportedly met when Taylor was only 17 years old, leading many onlookers to accuse the comedian of grooming her.

Grooming refers to “when someone builds a relationship, trust and emotional connection with a child or young person so they can manipulate, exploit and abuse them,” according to the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) of the U.K..

Cook has long claimed that he did not begin a romantic relationship with Taylor until she turned 18, the legal age of consent in the U.S.. However, he once mentioned that he first met Taylor at a game night he hosted at his home. Images of the game night have resurfaced, and the date places them before Taylor’s 18th birthday. This has led many to accuse Cook of grooming Taylor, as their relationship was likely her first serious relationship, and has lasted her entire young adult life.

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 14: Dane Cook and Kelsi Taylor are seen arriving at 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' on February 14, 2019 in Los Angeles, California.
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 14: Dane Cook and Kelsi Taylor are seen arriving at ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ on February 14, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by BG004/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

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SANTA BARBARA, CA - FEBRUARY 07:  Dane Cook of 'American Typecast ' and Kelsi Taylor attend the Cinema Vanguard Award Presented by Belvedere Vodka Honoring Michael B. Jordan during the 34th Santa Barbara International Film Festival at Arlington Theatre on February 7, 2019 in Santa Barbara, California.
SANTA BARBARA, CA – FEBRUARY 07: Dane Cook of ‘American Typecast ‘ and Kelsi Taylor attend the Cinema Vanguard Award Presented by Belvedere Vodka Honoring Michael B. Jordan during the 34th Santa Barbara International Film Festival at Arlington Theatre on February 7, 2019 in Santa Barbara, California. (Photo by Alison Buck/Getty Images for SBIFF)

 

Several other famous women have come forward regarding Cook’s game nights, and how they felt they allegedly served as a way for him to meet young women. Joey King, Julianne Hough, Bella Thorne, and more are among those who claim to have attended a game night at Cook’s Los Angeles home. The allegations insinuate that Cook hosted the events to purposely seek out underage girls.

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Many are acknowledging that if the couple did begin their relationship ahead of Taylor’s eighteenth birthday, that Cook committed a crime.

Elsewhere, others continue to spread awareness about the dangers of grooming, and the differing power dynamics of age gap relationships.

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Cook additionally once dated comedienne and digital creator Amanda Cerny, when she was 20 and he was 38.

Matt Rife and Dane Cook at the Los Angeles special screening of "The Machine" held at Regency Village Theatre on May 25, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
Matt Rife and Dane Cook at the Los Angeles special screening of “The Machine” held at Regency Village Theatre on May 25, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Tommaso Boddi/Variety via Getty Images)

 

Cook and his wife have previously defended their age gap on account of their compatibility as a couple. After TikTok creators called Cook out for his alleged behavior, the couple each turned off their comments, and have largely maintained a minimal social media presence since.

@naoalcantarag_

Replying to @tiktokimover17 there you go #fyp #fypシ #danecook #kelsitaylor #fypage #fypageシ #1729 #groomer #older #foryou #foryoupage #tiktok #viral

♬ 29 – Demi Lovato

The couple reportedly wed in a small ceremony in Hawaii, with close family and friends present.

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