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.
Dane Cook, 51, marries longtime partner Kelsi Taylor, 24, after six years of dating. pic.twitter.com/EhF9a2ppS9
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) September 25, 2023
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.
a photo from the night dane cook says he met his wife. he is 44 and she is 17. pic.twitter.com/6iXkUSTi5h
— Marlow Stern (@MarlowNYC) September 25, 2023
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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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— Kate Margaret ✊ (@MargaretKate27) September 25, 2023
Yikes Dane Cook. ???? https://t.co/o3k93nX3mn pic.twitter.com/R0gUn8Vkvq
— Ryan Shead (@RyanShead) September 25, 2023
Many are acknowledging that if the couple did begin their relationship ahead of Taylor’s eighteenth birthday, that Cook committed a crime.
Dane Cook when his fiancée finally graduates high school pic.twitter.com/Uqv6XmWwcN
— Wnzo ???? (@Shtrafi) September 25, 2023
Elsewhere, others continue to spread awareness about the dangers of grooming, and the differing power dynamics of age gap relationships.
Dane Cook is 51 and his wife is 24 and they were together for 5 years before they got married??? pic.twitter.com/FeJppM9MeY
— megan (@ciaomegan_) September 25, 2023
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Cook additionally once dated comedienne and digital creator Amanda Cerny, when she was 20 and he was 38.
dane cook is a habitual groomer https://t.co/Lw7L4gVMzd pic.twitter.com/27tLCCEAhB
— jawn q. public (@zeezeeontv) September 25, 2023
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 #fypã‚· #danecook #kelsitaylor #fypage #fypageã‚· #1729 #groomer #older #foryou #foryoupage #tiktok #viral
The couple reportedly wed in a small ceremony in Hawaii, with close family and friends present.
