Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes Give Brutally Honest Advice for 59-Year-Old Man Dating 19-Year-Old Girl
As part of their 'Ask Amy and T.J.' advice column for Yahoo Life, Holmes, 47, and Robach, 52, shared a letter they received from a fan, which stated, "I'm 59, she is 19. I'll wait while you shake off the obvious initial reaction … She and I have found intimacy at a level we never thought existed while navigating the complexity of falling in love. You guys could not be more correct ... love is indeed messy!"
The anonymous person requested some "non-judgmental feedback" about whether he should find a way to make the romance work.
"Finding the courage to step off the cliff of 'settling for less,' in hopes of experiencing the kind of love that even the best poets, artists and musicians can't fully describe, is paralyzing!" he wrote. "She and I are currently standing on that cliff.'
Celebrity Couples Who Have Surprisingly Big Age Differences: Anna Camp and Jade Whipkey, More
Holmes and Robach didn't hold back in their response, which started with a comparison to Bill Belichick, who is 73, and his girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, who is 24.
"That's a 49-year age gap for them. It's not a morality thing, but there are 25-year-olds I don't have anything in common with," Holmes noted. "So, how does this work?"
Holmes made it clear that he couldn't "in good conscience" show his support.
"Love can take so many forms. You never know where you're going to find it, how, when or with whom. Sometimes love just happens and, if you're not hurting yourselves or someone else, who are we to say it's wrong?" he continued. "If you really care about this woman, and love her, think of how much life she has ahead of her and how much she might miss out on by being with a nearly 60-year-old man."
Holmes added: "She's going to miss out on being a teenager, on partying with her friends, on so much of the stupid little stuff that's part of our formative years. Don't take that from her."
Robach, meanwhile, tried to reason that "it's not so much about the age gap."
"I'm not interested in judging who should date whom," Robach noted. "There are people who fill different roles in our lives and the age difference between you might feel comfortable and safe to her right now. But I can't imagine that it's always going to be that way. And it's her age that is a bigger red flag for me."
In her response, Robach highlighted the "power imbalance and an experience imbalance," writing, "I see many potential problems for you both because she is so impressionable at this age. Both T.J. and I got married for the first time when we were 23. And I wouldn't advise that either! Because you don't yet know who you are in your teens and 20s. Your brain is still forming, growing and developing until you're 27.'
Holmes and Robach attempted to offer insight without judgment by relating it back to their experience as a couple. The pair's relationship made headlines in November 2022 when they were spotted getting cozy with one another while still married to other people.
Most Controversial TV Couples With Major Age Gaps: From 'Friends' to 'Gilmore Girls'
'When our relationship was outed, the first and most important thing we had to get was the support of our children, friends and parents. We needed that. Most couples do, especially if their relationship is going to be scrutinized, and you should be prepared that yours might be,' Robach shared. 'The truth is that a 19-year-old doesn't know s***.'
She continued: 'She's had almost zero experience, and she's trying to have a relationship with you, somebody who has had decades of different relationship experiences. You know what you want and need, and what you don't. You know what you can give. She doesn't know any of those things yet. She hasn't yet had a chance to explore who she is.'
Holmes concluded by clarifying that he isn't saying the man is 'doing anything wrong,' but if he loves her, he should 'let that girl go.' Robach was of the same mindset in her final response.
'You two need to ask a lot of hard questions about what you're willing to sacrifice. You, as the older person, need to think about what impact this could have on someone you love,' she concluded. 'Sometimes love is doing the right thing instead of what you want or need in that moment, but it's doing right by the person you love. It's setting them up for the best success in life.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2FTAL-header-exterior-msc-world-america-MSCAMERICA0425-cfbce8e88a3d4d4086dcb301de549b99.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Travel + Leisure
a minute ago
- Travel + Leisure
A Stunning New Megaship With an Eataly Restaurant, a Ropes Course, and an 11-story Slide Recently Debuted in Miami—and I Was One of the First Aboard
MSC World America Very affordable entry-level fares—some as low as $800 per person per week. The World Promenade, an open-air area filled with flashing LED palm trees, a towering atrium, and the tail end of The JawDrop @ The Spiral, the ship's 11-story dry slide. The Harbour, an all-ages area that's home to the Cliffhanger over-water swing, a vertigo-inducing ropes course with zip lines, and a waterpark. Il Mercato Buffet is one of the most pleasant places on the ship for a quick meal or late-night snack with a sea view. Being a travel writer with a family comes with its fair share of guilt—never more so than when I'm in a beautiful place and my husband and daughter are at home. And so it was recently, when I reached them by video call while I was laying on a sandy Caribbean beach, piña colada in hand. Later, I called them from my balcony on the MSC World America, with turquoise waters below me. When I sent my 13 year old a video of the dessert buffet, she replied, 'Stop it—I don't want to see anymore!' Sharing, it seems, is not always caring. But how could I not be enthused? I'd hopped aboard the ship for a three-day inaugural sailing that included a gala naming ceremony attended by Orlando Bloom and Drew Barrymore. As the ship's godmother, Barrymore got the honor of cutting a ribbon to release a magnum of Champagne, which smashed against the bow and officially christened the vessel. I was eager to see World America up close because my family and I had sailed on a similar vessel, MSC World Europa, in the Mediterranean last fall. There's an indisputably European vibe on that ship, influencing the service style, the cuisine, and the entertainment, all of which are tailored to guests from the Continent. So I was curious how World America, which will sail in and out of Miami year-round, would be different. The World Promenade. Ivan Sarfatti/MSC Cruises 'I think the expectation for Americans is not the size of the ship or the shape of the different spaces, but it's more about service,' said Bernard Stacher, MSC's senior vice president of shipboard hospitality operations, when I spoke with him aboard the ship. 'It's more about food and entertainment choices, about knowing the name of your server at dinner,' he explained. For example, World America has a comedy club instead of the tea room found on World Europa, and it has an Eataly restaurant rather than a Nordic-influenced Chef's Garden. The new ship also has a sports bar, a (bigger) candy store, tons of theme park–style attractions, and a 'Dirty Dancing' musical revue. Really, is there anything more American than that? 'In Europe, our American guests get a little bit of a European experience,' said Stacher. 'Well, over here, the Europeans are getting a little bit of a toned down version of the American experience.' All the tweaks are in service of MSC's continued efforts to crack the U.S. market. The company has been operating in North America since 1998, but World America, with its capacity for more than 6,700 passengers, is by far the brand's biggest play yet. It's also an unabashed shot across the bow of Royal Caribbean International, which operates Icon of the Seas, currently the largest cruise ship at sea. As a resident of Italy, I felt particularly well positioned to weigh in on MSC's attempt to blend its European roots with American-style service. And I found the staff to be so ebullient on World America that they're likely to give any European visitors a bit of welcome-to-America culture shock: folks, we are exceedingly chatty people. At the same time, I was impressed by the speed and efficiency with which MSC was able to handle all those thousands of passengers. The company's new state-of-the-art cruise terminal in Miami allows for super-fast self-check-in, even when World America is at full capacity and there are other MSC vessels in port. And while my husband and daughter weren't able to join me, I did get to explore the ship with my sister as my cabin mate. Between the two of us, we put the ship to the test. Here's a closer look at the amenities, restaurants, staterooms, and services that make up the World America experience. The Staterooms My sister and I had a Deluxe Balcony Stateroom, which measured about 180 square feet. Once we unpacked and slid our suitcases under the beds we had plenty of room, with a small couch, two twin beds (which can be made up as a double), plus a table and two chairs on the balcony. As I noted in my review of the Yacht Club experience on World Europa, MSC furnishes its staterooms with Italian-made Dorelan mattresses and pillows, which really are quite comfortable. If I had any quibbles, it was the lack of small extras like bottled water and bathroom amenities beyond shampoo and body wash. Otherwise, our room did what it was supposed to do, which was to provide a comfortable, unfussy place to sleep and relax. In total, there are 2,614 cabins on World America, and about 1,700 of them have balconies—though some have obstructed views or overlook the World Promenade rather than the ocean. Upgrading to the Aurea or Yacht Club categories afford more space and perks. The former includes daily access to the Aurea Spa thermal area and a dedicated restaurant, while Yacht Club, MSC's ship-within-a-ship concept, offers an upscale experience with dedicated restaurants and a premium drinks package; guests in these suites also get guaranteed reservations at specialty restaurants and theatre shows, plus other VIP perks. There are also less expensive cabins with fixed windows or portholes, as well as some very affordably priced interior cabins, including some designated for solo travelers. Bars and Restaurants Top Sail Lounge inside the Yacht Club. Ivan Sarfatti/MSC Cruises There are seven complimentary options, including two buffets, four sit-down restaurants, and a pizza and burger spot. As is the case on many big ships, passengers can choose early or late dining when they book, and they will be assigned to one of the four restaurants with table service, where they'll have the same table and, likely, the same server for the duration of the cruise. Specialty restaurants, which come with an extra charge, are where MSC really leans on its Mediterranean roots. I sadly wasn't able to get into Eataly, the brand's only restaurant at sea, which was wildly popular. I did get to dine at Paxos Greek restaurant and had sushi at Kaito. The other specialty options are Butcher's Cut steakhouse and the casual Hola! Tacos & Cantina. There are plenty of other pay-as-you-go options, including a sports bar, an English-style pub, a sweets shop, a gelateria, and—for the virtuous—a juice bar. Fizz Champagne Bar. Ivan Sarfatti/MSC Cruises In terms of bars, it seemed like one was always in sight; had we been on a longer cruise, I imagine we would have settled into a favorite. One that's not so apparent is the ship's secret speakeasy: in order to gain entry, a staff member has to slip you a token and tip you off to the hidden location of the entrance. It's as fun as it sounds. Where World America Sails World America will be based in Miami, sailing from MSC's massive new terminal, which is, as of May 2025, the world's largest. It's worth noting that our check-in process was seamless, and my sister and I were on board within minutes of arriving at the terminal. From Miami, the ship will offer 7- and 14-day cruises to the Western and Eastern Caribbean. In the west, itineraries include stops along Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula and at Roatán, Honduras. In the east, stops include San Juan, Puerto Rico and Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Every itinerary includes at least one day at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the line's private island in the Bahamas—more on that below. Shore Excursions On my short preview cruise, the only time I got off the ship was for a few lovely, relaxing hours on Ocean Cay. This private island reserve has sandy beaches, a lagoon with snorkeling, plus a restaurant, food trucks, and plenty of bars. (Yacht Club guests have their own private beach, restaurant, and bar.) I donned a snorkel and fins and managed to find a few tropical fish in the lagoon. There are also excursions, at an extra cost, that include activities such as jet skiing, paddleboarding, kayaking, and climbing the island's lighthouse. My take is that you could easily skip the paid excursions, spend the day under a beach umbrella, and not feel like you missed out on much. That said, it's important to be one of the first guests off the ship when arriving at Ocean Cay, in order to stake out a prime spot on the far side of the lagoon, with its sheltered beach. Amenities and Entertainment If you can imagine it, World America probably has it—and in multiples. Outdoor amenities include seven pools (one with a retractable roof), four waterslides, 13 hot tubs, a ropes course, the one-of-its-kind Cliffhanger swing, and an 11-story dry slide. We dipped into the main Mar Azul pool, but had the cruise been full of little kids, we might have headed to the Zen Area, where there are two pools, hot tubs, and a bar reserved for adults. The Cliffhanger, which swings out over the sea, was less scary than I thought it would be; the ropes course was scarier than I expected. As for the JawDrop slide? Fun, but I was relieved when my ride was over. For more passive entertainment, the ship has a Vegas-style casino with slots and table games, and two theaters with Broadway-style shows. The 'Dirty Dancing' show, with its live band and solid dancing and singing, was a definite step up compared to the performances I saw on World Europa. Across the ship, especially in the World Promenade and Galleria areas, there are pop-up entertainers, roaming musicians, photographers, and other diversions. I also made time for a Balinese massage and a facial at the Aurea Spa, which also offers hair and nail services and a number of techy rejuvenation treatments. The Aurea Spa Thermal Suite is a fee-based area (unless you've booked in Aurea or Yacht Club class) that offers saunas, whirlpools, a salt cave, and relaxation areas. I didn't get to try it, but the facility looked inviting when I took a quick tour. Family-friendly Offerings The Harbour play and water area. MSC Cruises MSC has long billed itself as oriented toward families, and the company has upped its game with World America. In addition to the water park and Harbour diversions, the ship has five kids clubs for various age cohorts. There's also a multi-room LEGO construction zone, numerous video game stations, classic arcade consoles, three Formula 1 simulators, and a bumper cars area that doubles as a soccer pitch. Kids certainly aren't going to go hungry or thirsty, as there's plenty of kid-friendly fare at the buffets, including a twice-daily dessert spread. Paid treats include gelato, DIY ice cream bars, chocolate, hot chocolate, and 'freakshakes,' those made-for-social-media concoctions. Accessibility There are 65 ADA-compliant cabins on World America. Most public areas are accessible to wheelchairs and electric scooters, and fat-tire beach wheelchairs are available at Ocean Cay.
Newsweek
2 minutes ago
- Newsweek
MrBeast Makes Astronomer Joke After Gwyneth Paltrow Video
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. MrBeast, who was recently named the top content creator in the world by Forbes, has reacted to one of the year's most viral stories, the Astronomer Coldplay "kiss-cam scandal." In a post on X, formerly Twitter, MrBeast responded to the company's recent marketing video, which featured Gwyneth Paltrow. Newsweek has reached out to a representative for MrBeast via email for comment. Why It Matters MrBeast's social media post comes after a split-second clip of Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and his colleague Kristin Cabot was shared on social media and promptly broke the internet. The video, first shared by instaagraace on TikTok, has been viewed over 128 million times as of time of writing. Left, MrBeast speaks onstage during YouTube Brandcast 2025 at David Geffen Hall in New York City on May 14, 2025. Right, Gwyneth Paltrow attends the 2025 Breakthrough Prize Ceremony at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica,... Left, MrBeast speaks onstage during YouTube Brandcast 2025 at David Geffen Hall in New York City on May 14, 2025. Right, Gwyneth Paltrow attends the 2025 Breakthrough Prize Ceremony at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, on April 5, 2025. More Taylor Hill/FilmMagic/for YouTube In the clip, the jumbotron lands on the pair and they promptly sprang apart. Coldplay's lead singer Chris Martin, says: "Either they're having an affair or they're just really shy." The pair were later identified as Byron, CEO of the tech firm Astronomer, and Cabot, the company's head of Human Resources. Both have now resigned. What To Know On July 26, Astronomer shared a light-hearted marketing video which capitalizes on the attention that has been brought to the company since the now infamous Coldplay canoodling. The video features Paltrow, Martin's Oscar-winning ex-wife, as a "very temporary spokesperson." MrBeast, real name Jimmy Donaldson, responded to this on X. In a post that has been viewed over 230,000 times, he wrote, "Can I be CEO." Astronomer's board of directors have announced that they will start a formal search for their new chief executive. Company co-founder Pete DeJoy has taken over as interim CEO. He said on Monday that Astronomer has faced an "unusual and surreal" amount of attention in recent days. Astronomer is a New York-based company that helps companies develop, grow, and analyze products using artificial intelligence. MrBeast, whose YouTube channel boasts over 416 million subscribers, is the owner of multiple companies, including Feastables and MrBeast Burger. He has previously shared posts on social media expressing interest in buying the social media platform X from Elon Musk. In June, as part of their list of Top Content Creators, Forbes reported that MrBeast had earnings of $85 million. Back in 2022, Forbes reported the 27-year-old could become the world's "first YouTuber billionaire," reporting at the time that he had a net worth of $500 million. What People Are Saying An Astronomer spokesperson previously told Newsweek in a statement: "Astronomer is committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding. Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met." What's Next The search for Astronomer's new CEO is ongoing.
Washington Post
2 minutes ago
- Washington Post
How did exposing strangers on the internet become normal?
Kate Wagner is the architecture critic at the Nation. Far be it from me to defend a powerful man who is locking lips with his employee on camera — almost certainly a violation of company policy, if not labor laws. But when I heard about the viral exposure of Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and his head of human resources, Kristin Cabot, at a Coldplay concert, my instant reaction wasn't 'These people deserved their comeuppance.' It was: 'Why is the ruining of two strangers' lives so normalized?' To me, Byron and Cabot's moment of shame is more than just a scandal (and subsequent meme) — it's an edge case in what should become a broader debate about the harmful yet shockingly commonplace practices that are a scourge upon the way we as a society behave online.
