The last time we paid attention to Minka Kelly’s love life, she was “the other woman” in Jesse Williams’ marriage. I never really believed that Minka was responsible for the way sh-t went down with Jesse Williams and Aryn Drake-Lee though – it was clear that Jesse wanted out of his marriage and that Minka was his side-chick turned official jumpoff. Minka ended up exiting out of that relationship with Jesse too, and I guess she started dating Trevor Noah at some point after Jesse. Now Trevor and Minka are official, because People Magazine says it’s so.
Trevor Noah and Minka Kelly are dating, a source tells PEOPLE.
“They’re very happy,” the insider shares. “It’s a very serious relationship.”
The couple have not yet publicly confirmed their relationship. Reps for the pair couldn’t be reached for comment. Kelly, 40, previously dated Grey’s Anatomy star Jesse Williams. They called it quits in January 2018 after months of dating amid Williams’ divorce battle with ex-wife Aryn Drake-Lee. Noah, 36, was last romantically linked to girlfriend Jordyn Taylor in 2017. It is not clear when they split.
Noah has since remained private about his personal life, instead using his platform as the host of The Daily Show to speak out about politics and social justice issues.
Minka Kelly has dated a lot of famous guys – Derek Jeter, Chris Evans, John Mayer, Sean Penn (maybe, we know the Ham was interested), Jesse and now Trevor Noah. I don’t even think she has a type, that’s such a weird list. Anyway, I’m at the point now where I don’t hate Trevor Noah or anything, I just don’t think he’s God’s gift to political commentary. I don’t really have a handle on who he is romantically or what it would be like to date him, so I have no opinion on any of that. I do think it’s interesting that People got this confirmation though. Hm.
Photos courtesy of WENN, Backgrid.
Something about Trevor Noah rubs me the wrong way. Ever since he cozied up to Tomi Lahren I have given him major side eye. And this makes me give him side eye even more. Minka Kelly seems to have a fetish for light skin black men. And it’s gross.
I had no idea he cozied up to Racist-Barbie Lahren 🙁 that’s disappointing to hear
Yup and he tried to explain it away saying he was being nice to her because she has been a guest on his show. How many guests does he take out for drinks?
Yeah, that was an example of folks thinking, incorrectly, gee if I just *talk* to this person they will see my point of view we will meet in the middle. Like Joe Biden chatting up Elisabeth Hasselbeck on the phone, or Samantha Bee cozying up to Glenn Beck. The mistake is assuming that these ignorant, fame-thirsty people arrived at these opinions as a product of rational thought, rather than seizing upon them as personal brand.
i wasnt aware of him cozying up to her. Could be, all I remember her saying on his show is, ‘Im a millennial so i dont like labels’ and the look on his face was perfect
She’s dated two light skinned black guys. How is that a fetish?
Jeter, Jesse, Trevor.
@Resi, in addition to the three listed in this story (Derek Jeter, Jesse Williams and Trevor Noah), she’s also dated Brian White and Donald Faison. But I can’t say that I agree with the other poster’s point about a “fetish.” She’s dated plenty of guys and most of them have been white. I think, like Kaiser mentioned, she doesn’t really have a physical type.
Seriously, a gross fetish? Why? Cause she maybe, and that’s a stretch, has a looks type? I like tall, blond hair brown eyed men, have dated several, would that also be a gross fetish?
@Valiantly Varnished — totally agree. First thought was about her fetish for light skinned Black men. SMDH.
I forgot why I stopped paying attention to him but yep, this is why.
I think he had a short moment of going down the Bill Maher route. He possibly saw the error because his guests have not included dumb racists since then. Right?
In general he has become a lot less funny in the past year which is very understandable (of course it is) but I also need to laugh sometimes. So… I have sadly lost interest though I think in general the show has become more successful.
I’ve never really found him to be laugh out loud funny, but I do think he is an excellent interviewer. He always seems to have read the book or watched the movie before interviewing a guest. He also listens and doesn’t interrupt constantly like Colbert. I think he would be really successful with long form interviews like Letterman does for Netflix.
He actually has said that he decided to make the show less funny and more about the issues. It was a choice – not him just not being funny. He isn’t required to be funny for people 24/7.
@Mama: Yes? And? My point still stands and I know it was a choice. Still less funny.
He’s purposefully made the show less funny (or maybe there’s just less fun to be made of current events these days) but his stand-up is still hilarious! I also highly recommend his book “Born A Crime” which gives insight into who he is and perhaps why he’s made certain decisions.
I felt like he was trying to do the “Art Bell” interview technique with her and failed.
For those who weren’t into weird AM radio in the 1990’s, Art Bell had a knack for interviews where to the interviewee he came across as sincere but managed to also convey to the audience he thought the person was full of crap.
@VV. Not just drinks. They had dinner the night before and she posted on her social media the specialty cupcakes he had made for her.
He gave that bitch legitimacy and for that, I will always be done with him and his ashy.
How is dating a certain type of guy “gross” and a “fetish”? Wow. Everything is an issue these days. It’s exhausting.
WORD.
I don’t have a personal comment on this because I’m not black but as a person of color, I don’t think white women understand the history and underlying issue that this brings up. The gross part is not the fact that the men are biracial, and I think if you think it is, then you don’t understand women of colors struggle on biracial relationships and you shouldn’t comment (heck, I come from a biracial relationship but I understand the trigger that can come from them). It comes from a trend of white women fetishizing black men/men of color, very much like some men fetishize women of color. And men playing into the “moving up” with a white woman. So even if Minka isn’t doing this, it doesn’t make women of colors’ feelings invalid.
@ Original Jenns. Please. Stop this. People can have types and calling it a fetish is crazy… It’s also demeaning towards the guys in question. The history of underlying issues is people being so spiteful and so sure of themselves that many generations after slavery has been abolished, feelings of us and them are as strong as ever. Even people who are literally the product of “us and them” love to hate on everything not exactly like them. If anything it is people “fetishizing” history and misusing it to justify to reject others based on appearance. Fork that. This is 2020 and everyone thinking they are better than anyone else is just frustrating everything. But heck, that’s kinda what Americans are doing these days right? Because if equality is what you’re looking for, than this must be the way to reach that.
@OriginalJenns I believe Kelly has some Eurasian ancestry but I guess that doesn’t matter to you – she’s white and, according to you, it’s heinous for a white woman to date biracial/mixed race people because it’s an affront to Black women who want to date Black men? I’ll remember that the next time a POC asks me out and I tell them I’m not allowed to have a romantic relationship with them because I’m white.
Now imagine being a black woman for a second and you will know what exhausting truly is. Fetishism of black men and women is a thing . And Minka IMO has one. She also has a fetish for unavailable men.
She has a type. Calling it a fetish or gross is a stretch. I like bearded, tattooed white dudes (not the hipster kind). That’s my type. I have ventured outside of my type, but that’s what I gravitate towards. It’s hardly gross.
I don’t think it’s a fetish. It’s more maybe just a type/preference which happens with lots of people. Trevor himself seems to like a certain type of lady, but I don’t see anyone complaining about that. His previous girlfriend looked similar to Minka.
Let’s just stop right there. How is this a “gross fetish”?
Hmm? Is this your opinion because they’re bi-racial/black and that’s unacceptable? (In which case, grow up – Trevor Noah has a white father.)
Or is this a “stick to your own kind” kind of thing? Either way, not cool.
Yeah, there’s nothing gross about liking light-skinned black guys or having other general appearance preferences. I have dated people with multiple hair colors and body types, but I am most attracted to tall, thin guys with dark hair. I never seriously dated anyone of another race, primarily because I met my husband when I was on the young side, but I did have a sort of mini-fling with a guy who was of Asian heritage. In any case, I never ruled any potential dating partners in or out because of their race.
A fetish? Why? Is she not allowed to date mixed men? Or maybe just one? Or is the cut off three? If she was BPIOC would it still be a fetish? Maybe she has a fetish for men with shady romantic histories? That would be a more inclusive generalization than the one you came up with.
Personally, I think she dates a bunch of famous dudes and tries to utilize their fame regardless of skin color.
People are allowed to think light skinned Black men are attractive. People are allowed to only be attracted to light skinned black men. You don’t control who you find attractive and you shouldn’t be judged for having a particular type of adult that you are attracted to. It is weird to call someone’s taste a fetish when you don’t know them or their motivations (or lack thereof) for their attractions.
I think this seems ok? I mean her dating history s bizarre, and he’s always been super private, so that raises an eyebrow. Like why would he confirm this? But ok sure.
He seems like an ok guy. I like his comedy. I mean he’s no John Oliver but still.
And she’s always been ok too in my view.
So ok. Sure.
Minks is joked as an ‘emergency beard’ in the industry……FYI
Wait what? Please spill the tea!
Ohh for some reason I read Mindy Kaling and was super excited about it (I for one really like Noah’s work)… Like this is more “meh, ok”
Mindy and Trevor seem like a much better match. They are both very private about their personal lives. Minka has always seemed very thirsty to me. You can bet that she or someone who works for her sent this tip to People.
That’s funny , I read like that as well and had the same reaction!
Same here!
Good for them. It is nice when people find happiness during this terrible time. Not a big fan of Minka’s work but Trevor has grown on me after I read his funny memoir.
This is a pretty woman who has dated a lot of famous guys. I don’t know her very well, but it seems like she always gets into messy entanglements… I don’t want to sound harsh, but doesn’t she have a reputation for being thirsty? I wouldn’t be surprised if she called People for a bit of « Eau de Famewhore » flavour you know what I’m saying? Also I thought Trevor Noah was in a serious relationship with an non-famous girlfriend ? Maybe I am wrong, but I never heard of him messing around with celebrity females, so this is interesting…
On the other hand, I strangely see these two together 🙂 Wish them well I guess… whatever their thing is.
Minky is pretty but she’s also bland as hell and a terrible actress. And isn’t she LA based? He lives in New York. Will they be a long distance relationship or will she move?
I always thought if he was going to date a white woman katie holmes would be good for him. She’s nyc based. Ever since Tom she keeps her private life pretty quietly but anyway the tabloids always keep trying to pair Katie Holmes and Justin Theroux together. That would kinda cute I guess.
Yeah, I stopped watching The Daily Show when he took over Jon Stewart’s seat. There’s something a bit false about him.
As for Minka, John Mayer seems to be the outlier. I see the through line from Derek Jeter, Chris Evan, Jesse Williams, and Trevor Noah.
I think Jesse was the outlier. John Mayer is way more famous.
I really didn’t like Trevor Noah at first when he took over The Daily Show, but I also think that had a lot to do with the man who’s shoes he had to fill. I did not want Jon Stewart to leave. And I do think it took awhile for Trevor to find his stride and make the gig his own. But I also remember when Jon replaced Craig Kilborn and was not sold on it either. It took awhile to embrace the change.
But I’ve come to like Trevor. Especially now that he’s found his stride. He is on social media with the show and I enjoy the clips I see of him. Sometimes it even gets me to watch a show or two of it which is a feat in itself.
Side note: I have a very short attention span so I have a very hard time dedicating time or energy to watching tv shows. It has nothing to do with whether I like the show or not, I just can’t generally focus for long periods of time anymore.
That said, if he’s happy with Minka, cool. I don’t really know much about her other then she likes to date rich and famous men. Some people say light skinned men are her fetish…I think it’s rich famous men.
Hey, there’s a couple of guys on her list I wouldn’t mind dating and Trevor Noah is one of them.
I’m not hating on her, just I know some people don’t like her and think she’s fetishizing light skinned black men. See some of the other comments.
Maybe she is, and I don’t think we will ever know, but it seems she only dates rich famous men. And good looking. If you can get it, get it girl. I really don’t think she has a type other then, “maybe you can get me some press so let’s talk.”
Same, didn’t like him at first then after some months or a year I realized the daily show was actually still quite good. I used to Watch it and Seth Myers and John Oliver on yt pretty often. I would add hasan minaj to be list but the bad jokes outweigh the good and I only watch for actual education. I don’t enjoy Stephen Colbert, sorry. I’ve watched some of Trevor’s standup also and it’s not bad. But back to YT, nothing is funny these days. It’s not the comedians’ faults, it’s just too sad to laugh the last 3 years and especially since covid. I think MK is judged more than a famous woman would be who had dated the samd amount of people if they were not also famous. Somehow it’s off putting to many that we now all the guys she was with.
I think she’s really pretty. I like Trevor Noah. I really enjoyed his book, and he comes off as a bit of a dweeb even though I do think he’s really handsome and funny. I like the way he tackles issues on his show.
Wishing them well!
Trevor has interviewed Jesse Williams a few times on The Daily Show and I got the impression in their last interview that they were friends or at least very friendly. Maybe I’m old school or a prude, but I’d be a bit uncomfortable dating the ex partner of a friend.
Was she with Jesse long? I thought he ended up with someone else pretty quick
He interviewed Chris Evans recently too. I think that in the industry they always end up meeting exes of their current partners, so they are used to it.
Um wait…she’s 40?!?
I’ve never seen Minka in anything, and I probably never will after that whole shady ordeal with Jesse Williams. I hope his ex wife Aryn got PAID for the heartbreak she was put through. (Not that $$ makes up for it)
I like Minka, and I admire that she spoke out about her abortion during the trump years when women’s rights are under attack. I never watch Noah and I didn’t like Stewart either, so I really have no opinion on him.
Her type appears to be F**k-boys
Agree 100%. Even Trevor. If you listened to his Howard Stern interview, he seems to have some commitment issues
YEP.
And that makes me wonder about Chris Evans…
Oh there’s nothing to wonder about. Evans is DEFINITELY a f*ck boy. I’d be so down though. I don’t care. Some people have called me a f*ck girl.
Don’t forget her best ex: Taylor Kitsch (her Friday Night Lights costar).
Oh he was so hot back then. I think all her guys have been really hot so she and I must share this “fetish”. Except for Trevor who just doesn’t do it for me.
I like Trevor Noah. He seems to be smart, funny and to have a social conscience.
He has had a real upgrade of his show during Covid. He sits in his apt and tries to explain racial injustice to dum drums, he has had some great slows. I saw his show and he is very intelligent. But he has not been a perfect host for sure.
I looked up her alleged dating list and it is exhausting and all over the place. Some people everyone dates for some reason – John Mayer, Derek Jeter and Wilmer Valderrama. A few costars – Taylor Kitsch and Ramon Rodriguez. A couple sitcom stars – Donald Fraiser, Topher Grace and Josh Radnor. A few random ass big names – Chris Evans, Sean Penn, and Jake Gylenhall. Then Jesse Williams and now Noah.
Hollywood is wild. She shares two of Taylor Swifts exes. And her type seems to be all over the place. Races, age and celeb levels are all varied.
I thought he was ok until I read his book. Now I think he’s wonderful. His life story is fascinating.
My only take away from this is how many women has John Mayer been with? 😳 He is SUCH a skeeze.
Trevor Noah has grown on me a lot. John Stewart took me a long time to get used to too. I guess it’s a hard transition for comedy news hosts.
I’ve been watching The Daily Show a lot more in quarantine. It helps me get caught up on things in a less blaring way than watching the news. I’ve been enjoying Trevor’s quarantine hair. It feels like a calendar at this point because I’ve been seeing it get bigger every week. I think it looks good on him.
Love Trevor Noah and his book, don’t love this pairing. I really wanted him to find a non celebrity intellectual. But what do I know? I feel oddly protective of Trevor Noah, partly because his book and interviews have really elucidated complex issues of race and politics and partly because he isn’t perfect but willing to own it.
I’m shocked to see how many people here don’t like Trevor Noah. I think he’s great! I love his perspective and his way of explaining things. John Oliver is even better, but I like Trevor a lot.
I’m shocked how people are saying two consenting adults dating, who happen to be different races, qualifies as a fetish. That language is hateful, dehumanizing, and a throwback to the segregation era. People need to think about their words and be better. Also Minka is very sweet and very interested in environmental conservation and human rights. Just because she’s pretty and she chooses not to be married doesn’t mean she deserves these comments. There’s also so much internalized misogyny in these comments…
Lol. You do realize she’s dates married men before, right??
Me too. I didn’t at first, but he grew on me. He is very smart and his show is very … on point. Also his Trump impression is amazing. He sticks his foot in his mouth, but he has a very good way of explaining things that is … deceptive in its humor but piercingly honest. He wears a different color hoodie every night on his at home show. I think he must have 50 of them. I am obsessed as to where he stores 50 plus hoodies.
Sigh.These guys always let me down.
I really like his book Born a Crime, his audiobook narration is so funny. And his quarantine show is just about the only news I can stomach these days.
Dunno much about Minka but I hope they’re happy I guess?
Totally agree. I didn’t really like him much at first…more like “meh”, take it or leave it. BUT…I’ve been watching his show for the last year and I really love him now. I think he’s great! I don’t know or care much about her, but he’s awesome!
I like Trevor Noah and his book, but years from now we won’t remember him as an all-time great. Which is fine. Not everyone and everything is amazing and timeless.
When I have been watching his at-home shows, I did think who is he quaratining with … I am like he is definitely not alone. Not sure why I thought that. I guess someone that cute and successful wouldn’t be alone, maybe?
I get Minka slutshaming vibes from the comments. Is she Meryl Streep in terms of talent? No, but she also isn’t Kardashian levels of famewhoring. OK, so she or her reps maybe called People. It’s called show business.
The fetish accusations are also off-base. I am biracial and I am as sensitive about fetishes as anyone else but sometimes people just have a type. It is what it is. I like this site but everything is a THING. Exhausting.
Minka is an attractive woman around his age range, and Trevor is not a god, he is just a man like all other men. He had been liking all her Instagram photos since last year, the thirstiness has been going on for a while. These are just people sliding into each other’s DMs like everyone else during the pandemic!!! lol