Many of Keanu’s admirers were just genuinely pleased that one of Hollywood’s most notable actors had finally found someone to settle down with.
Keanu is a blessing to us all, not only as an actor, as Reeves is often in the headlines for his random acts of kindness, ranging from giving up his seat on a crowded subway train to donating vast sums of money to children’s hospitals.
Strict Beauty Standards
So why do people assume she's Helen Mirren? It's mostly because of her gray hair? Yet stricter beauty standards for women mean that we generally assume a woman with gray hair must be older — otherwise, wouldn't she dye those lone gray strands?
This resulted in people manifesting confusion about Grant’s hair dependent on her age — and succeeding backlash to that confusion.
Age-Appropriate
You see, most of the talk on the internet focused around the fact that, unlike many of his Hollywood peers, Reeves was dating someone who was considered age-appropriate. Compare him with Leonardo DiCaprio, who has been publicly ridiculed for only dating women half his age.
And while admittedly Grant is still nine years younger than the much-loved actor, 65-year-old Dennis Quaid had announced his engagement to Laura Savoie – a Ph.D. student 39 years his junior.
In Praise of Their Relationship
Others have praised reeves on the social media platform for dating a “smart, artistic, independent woman.” Nevertheless, not everyone was as enthusiastic about the actor’s red-carpet appearance with Grant.
Even though she is a decade younger than him, we're still pleased that he has found someone to love and share life with.
What is it About Keanu?
In an age of fractured media scenes and niche celebrities, is there anyone in Hollywood who still has universal name approval and appeal? Does a public figure like this exist, whose persona can unite and speak to polarized audiences without alienating or excluding anyone?
If we had to choose someone, it would have to be Keanu Reeves, in particular. Pop culture exploding with a new respect for him, at the precise moment that his career has been on an upswing and he began dating Alexandra Grant.