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Chelsea Handler on falling in love with Jo Koy: 'I have hope for every person in this world'

By Megan Armstrong | Last updated 10/12/21

Chelsea Handler has turned her relationship struggles into relatable content for years, but she can no longer be humorously pessimistic.

The author, comedian and television personality was glowing when she stopped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Monday, gushing over her fellow comedian and former Chelsea Lately co-star Jo Koy.

"I have to say, if I fell in love at the age of 46, you guys, I have hope for every person in this world," Handler said. "It's never too [late]. Like, I was really just kind of, like, men were very discouraging these past couple of years—especially, you know, straight white men—and I was like, 'Oh, God, who am I going to end up with?'"

She continued: "I had my friend, Jo Koy, who was in my life for a very long time. He used to be on my old show Chelsea Lately. And he and I were friends. And then he kept showing up and showing up and showing up. ... And then one day, I just looked at him, and I thought, 'Oh, that's my guy!' So, he's like my best buddy, and then I also, you know, get to have sex with him."

Handler publicly confirmed her relationship with Koy on Instagram on Sept. 27:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Chelsea Handler (@chelseahandler)

Koy followed suit three days later:

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A post shared by Jo Koy (@jokoy)

They've opened up more and more since then:

After careful consideration I have decided to be in a committed relationship. Please respect my privacy while I have one of the best times of my life. https://t.co/cX42ONpb4X
— Chelsea Handler (@chelseahandler) September 27, 2021

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jo Koy (@jokoy)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Chelsea Handler (@chelseahandler)

Chelsea Lately aired on E! for eight seasons from July 2007 to August 2014. Handler served as the late-night talk show's host, while Koy frequented as one of many roundtable panelists across 141 episodes.

"If you have a friend in your life that you think you're not into or not attracted to, just remember my story and to be open-minded, because little things can tap you on the shoulder," Handler added on The Tonight Show. "And then all the sudden, you see something from a different lens. I mean, I would never talk about a man like this unless I meant it."

Currently, Koy is performing stand-up on his Just Kidding World Tour. Handler is on her Vaccinated and Horny Tour.

Last Thursday (Oct. 7), Handler premiered the second season of her Dear Chelsea podcast with an episode featuring Koy. They disagree over how they transitioned from friends to lovers and detail their new relationship. You can listen here.

Watch Handler's segments with Fallon below.