Chelsea Handler Reflects on Her Near Encounter with Andrew Cuomo

Chelsea Handler expressed relief that her attempt to flirt with former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo did not go as planned. The 49-year-old comedian candidly shared details about her crush on Cuomo in her upcoming memoir.

Handler describes how she became enchanted with Cuomo, who is 67, while following his daily briefings during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. This unique situation brought unexpected attention to the politician, leading Handler to publicly acknowledge her interest in him.

The Revelation of a Crush

In her forthcoming book titled “I’ll Have What She’s Having,” Handler recounts that she and Cuomo started exchanging flirty texts. However, the exchange stopped abruptly when Cuomo ghosted her after confirming a date in New York.

Reflecting on this experience, Handler recently told Page Six that she felt as if she had “dodged a bullet” when Cuomo ceased communication. Her assertion resonates with her ongoing narrative of navigating complicated romantic situations.

The Fallout of Allegations

The context around Handler’s flirtation with Cuomo became more complicated when allegations of sexual harassment surfaced against him in 2021, leading to his resignation. Cuomo has consistently denied these allegations, but they undoubtedly altered the public’s perception of him.

A Previous Admiration

Handler previously gushed about her attraction to Cuomo on various platforms. Throughout 2020, her adoration was evident as she penned a heartfelt piece titled “Dear Andrew Cuomo, I Want To Be Your First Lady” for Vogue. Moreover, during her HBO comedy special “Evolution,” she openly expressed her preference for older men, which included Cuomo.

On “The View” in October 2020, Handler showcased her attraction to Cuomo, commenting on his commanding presence. She humorously remarked, “First of all, he’s like a big giant. He came in like the Incredible Hulk. We were so dehydrated for real leadership that when he came on the scene looking like this big Italian hunk…” Handler’s playful words captured the spirit of the moment.

Romantic Aspirations Unfulfilled

Despite her bold approach, Handler conveyed disappointment regarding her unreciprocated interest. She recounted trying to arrange a date with Cuomo, who unexpectedly failed to follow up. While he was set to appear on “The View” shortly after, Handler seized the opportunity to ask the show’s hosts to inquire about her experience of being ghosted.

“I do want you to follow up on something with him for me, ladies, if you wouldn’t mind,” Handler noted during her appearance. She detailed how she had asked Cuomo out and received a positive response, only to be left without further contact.

Cuomo’s Response

When Cuomo later appeared on “The View,” he humorously acknowledged Handler’s crush by stating, “I’ve had a lot of conversations about flattening the curve, but never quite that way.” He expressed admiration for Handler, describing her as fun and vibrant.

Cuomo added a twist to his response by sharing his current dating preferences, emphasizing that he was only dating in-state residents. Handler took this lightly but saw humor in the situation.

A Missed Connection

According to reports from Page Six, Handler revealed in her memoir that Cuomo had once called her from a private number, leaving a lengthy voicemail days after her appearance on the talk show. She humorously noted that she shouted in excitement to a friend, “I’m going to f— the governor!” at that time, envisioning a potential romantic encounter.

Despite her intentions for a rendezvous during her New York trip, Handler noted that “the big hiccup here was that Mr. Cuomo stopped responding to my texts as soon as I arrived on the East Coast.” Her determination did not waver as she continued to send him attention-grabbing selfies, even those featuring her swimming topless while adhering to COVID-19 safety measures.

Reflecting on Past Choices

Looking back, Handler assessed her approach, contemplating whether it may have led to a different outcome. In her memoir, she commented, “If I hadn’t been so forward and declared what I was looking for, I could have ended up in bed with him.” This introspection suggests that she believes some connections thrive on subtlety rather than overt intentions.

Handler’s candid reflection on her experience with Cuomo highlights the complex dynamics of attraction and the impact of external circumstances, such as public scandals, on personal interactions. As she shares this chapter in her life, she offers a glimpse into her world of romantic misadventures while adding an engaging narrative to her memoir.