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Lauren Graham on Dating Co-Stars and Lorelai Gilmore’s Love Life
In a recent revealing interview, actress Lauren Graham, known for her iconic role as Lorelai Gilmore in Gilmore Girls, confirmed that she indeed dated some of her fellow cast members, much like her on-screen persona. Speaking on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast with host Alex Cooper, Graham, 58, addressed questions about her romantic history on set and shared insights into her character Lorelai’s relationships. Fans of Gilmore Girls will find this behind-the-scenes glimpse into Graham’s dating experiences and her perspective on Rory Gilmore’s boyfriends particularly engaging.
Real-Life Romance on the Gilmore Girls Set
During the podcast episode, Cooper directly asked Graham about her past relationships with her Gilmore Girls colleagues. “You previously said you did not date Scott Patterson, obviously, who plays Luke in the show, but you did date a couple of the other guys on the set,” Cooper stated. She then probed, “I know you’re not going to tell me, but can I ask though, was it anyone that Lorelai ever dated?”
Graham responded affirmatively without hesitation, confirming a romantic connection with at least one actor who played a love interest for Lorelai.
However, Graham lightheartedly downplayed the relationships, stating, “Dating is [a] real big word for some of the experiences,” the actress joked. “But, you know, you’re there 14, 15 hours, who else are you going to meet?” This comment suggests that the close quarters of a television set fostered some off-screen romances.
Lorelai’s On-Screen Suitors
Gilmore Girls captivated audiences for seven seasons, from 2000 to 2007, and returned for a miniseries in 2016, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life. Throughout the original series, Lorelai Gilmore navigated a complex love life which included several notable boyfriends before ultimately finding love with Luke Danes, played by Scott Patterson.
Lorelai’s romantic history in the series included:
- Jason “Digger” Stiles (Chris Eigeman)
- Christopher Hayden (David Sutcliffe)
- Peyton Sanders (Jon Hamm)
- Max Medina (Scott Cohen)
Despite confirming she dated some co-stars, Graham remained discreet, not revealing which of these actors she had a relationship with.
Graham’s Take on Rory’s Boyfriends
The podcast interview also explored Graham’s opinions on the romantic relationships of her on-screen daughter, Rory Gilmore, played by Alexis Bledel. Cooper inquired about Rory’s main love interests throughout the series: Dean Forester (Jared Padalecki), Jess Mariano (Milo Ventimiglia), and Logan Huntzberger (Matt Czuchry).
“Which of Rory’s boyfriends do you think was the best fit for her in the long run?” Cooper asked.
Graham refrained from choosing a definitive “best” boyfriend for Rory, offering a nuanced perspective instead. “You know, you can’t get me. I won’t be gotten here or anywhere else,” Graham joked, maintaining her privacy. “I’ll never say. They were all a good fit for her at the time, because they were a learning experience. … We all learn from, even, the frogs.” This suggests Graham views each relationship as valuable for personal growth, even if they are not ultimately meant to last.
Navigating Fame and Privacy
The conversation shifted to Graham’s personal dating life and her choice to maintain privacy, especially during the early years of her career. Cooper pointed out that Graham had faced scrutiny for “being single” in the public eye.
Graham acknowledged the discomfort and invasiveness of such inquiries, stating, “[It] always feels weird to be asked, and many times I was lying,” she admitted. “It’s such a strange thing to talk about, which I still mainly don’t talk about, something that you don’t know what’s going to happen.”
She further elaborated on her perspective, adding, “I think some people are built for it. Some people don’t find it personally vulnerable. I have to say, it wasn’t my focus at the time so it felt strange like I’m a working person and I’m in a career and, I don’t know, it was odd.” This sheds light on Graham’s preference to keep her private and professional lives separate, especially concerning romantic relationships amidst a demanding career.