When it comes to the world of celebrities, who’s hooking up with who has always been a hot topic.
But contrary to what people may assume, not all stars are doing the deed.
Many well-known people have chosen to stop having sex, either for a limited time or for good. Their reasons vary, ranging from personal well-being and religious beliefs to life circumstances.
Last month, Baby Reindeer star Jessica Gunning admitted that she went 36 years without having sex.
But she is just one of many stars who have publicly spoken about choosing celibacy.
Here, the Daily Mail takes a look at celebs who have practised abstinence.
Jessica Gunning
Baby Reindeer star Jessica Gunning went 36 years without sex.
I first noticed her in that incredible Netflix show – she played Martha, the stalker, and honestly, she was captivating. It’s amazing to think she’s only 40, because she brings so much depth to her roles, and that one, alongside Richard Gadd, really launched her into the spotlight, as far as I’m concerned.
I recently read an interview where this incredibly talented woman opened up about the challenges of being celibate for an extended period. She was really honest about how tough it was, and she also shared something quite vulnerable – she felt her lack of romantic connections was, in her own words, linked to her body size. It’s a powerful reminder that self-perception and relationships are complex, and her willingness to discuss this is truly inspiring.
She explained that growing up, being larger than her peers made her feel different, but not in a bad way. It was more a sense of being unlike everyone else.
‘And the otherness, I suppose, looking back, protects me from having to go, ‘I don’t fancy men.’
I realized it wasn’t the right moment to pursue something, and suddenly I found myself in my thirties.
The actress, who publicly shared she is gay, mentioned she’s done some dating since the release of ‘Baby Reindeer,’ but is now single.
She strongly believes in love, but prefers meeting people in more traditional ways rather than using dating apps. She’s a true romantic at heart.
Halle Berry
Halle Berry was celibate for four years before meeting her partner, Van Hunt.
The 59-year-old actress has gone through three divorces. She was previously married to baseball player David Justice, musician Eric Benét, and actor Olivier Martinez, with whom she has a 12-year-old son named Maceo.
She also has a 17-year-old daughter named Nahla with her ex-partner, Canadian model Gabriel Aubry.
After her divorce in 2016, Halle decided to take a break from dating and prioritize her own well-being.
She explained to The Times that she needed to take time for self-reflection and personal growth to understand her own worth.
‘I had decided if the right person doesn’t come, I will be alone. And that’s OK.’
Lenny Kravitz
Lenny Kravitz is viewed as the archetypal rock sex symbol.
He’s embarked on a path of self-discovery, leaving behind the typical indulgences of the music industry, like fleeting, casual encounters.
It’s easier said than done, though. He’s actually more famous for his past relationships than for his music.
The famous musician, now 61, is choosing to wait for a meaningful connection before becoming intimate, a decision influenced by his father’s past experiences with casual relationships.
Lenny Kravitz was deeply upset to learn his father, Sy Kravitz – a producer for NBC News – was having an affair. His mother, Roxie Roker, was a well-known actress, famous for her role in the popular TV show The Jeffersons.
Lenny Kravitz, whose marriage to Lisa Bonet ended in 1993, told The Guardian that his father’s prediction of his own divorce unfortunately came true.
He explained that after getting married, he started behaving more like his partner – becoming unfaithful – and he really didn’t want to become that kind of person.
It was a long, multi-year process that required me to take ownership of the situation, practice self-discipline, and prioritize what needed to be done over what I wanted.
He shared that he’s been celibate for nine years while looking for a long-term partner, and believes his need for order and predictability could make finding someone difficult.
Drew Barrymore
Drew Barrymore shared in 2022 that she hasn’t been in a romantic relationship since her divorce from Will Kopelman in 2016, and that her perspective on sex has evolved.
She posted a photo on Instagram of herself with her laptop, inviting her followers to read a deeply personal essay she wrote about being a single mother and choosing to abstain from relationships.
Oh my gosh, she gets it! I was reading her blog, and she said something that just… hit me. She’s almost 48, and she was talking about how her feelings about being close to people have totally changed from when she was younger. It’s like, she didn’t have parents who showed her how to do relationships right, and she was thrown into ‘adulting’ way too early! It’s so relatable, honestly. I feel like she’s speaking directly to me!
The mother of two explained that, without the ability to go back and alter the past, she prefers to focus on the positive aspects of her experiences.
Honestly, after raising my two daughters and going through a tough separation, I’ve really prioritized my own happiness and theirs. It’s been amazing to focus on us, and I’ve realized that doesn’t currently include a romantic partner – and hasn’t for some time now. I’m completely content with that.
She then credited her therapist for telling her: ‘Sex is not love! It is the expression of love.’
The actor said they’d spent a lifetime searching for the right words to clarify something, and finally found them thanks to this person. They also shared that becoming a single mother has made it difficult to form close, romantic relationships.
She mentioned she might start dating again soon, but emphasized that it hasn’t been a focus for her until now.
Drew Barrymore explained she doesn’t feel a need for sexual connection or relationships, and is instead focused on empowering herself and her daughters to navigate the world as strong women.
Tulisa
Tulisa shared that she hasn’t had sex in more than three years, and identified as demisexual while on the show ‘I’m A Celebrity’ in 2024.
The N-Dubz singer revealed to her fellow contestants that the idea of being in a relationship makes her feel unwell.
At the height of her career, Tulisa faced public scrutiny when a former boyfriend, Justin Edwards, released a private sex tape of her in 2012. They had ended their relationship in 2009.
She had previously described feeling deeply ashamed, disgusted, and judged because of what happened, and shared that it took her years to heal and move forward.
Tulisa told her fellow campmates she isn’t looking to date anyone right now, explaining that she’s very protective of her heart.
Honestly, when the conversation in camp shifted to dating, Dean really surprised me! He shared that he genuinely loves being single and values his alone time, which I totally get. It was refreshing to hear him say he actually enjoys being on his own.
Alan Halsall confessed he’d never tried dating apps, prompting Dean to playfully tell Tulisa, ‘We’ve tried them all, haven’t we?’
Tulisa explained that she’s only tried the Raya dating app. While she’s signed up, she doesn’t really consider herself a dater and hasn’t actually met anyone from the app in person. She described herself as very cautious when it comes to dating.
She added: ‘I feel like I’m demisexual, I need to have a really close emotional bond with someone.’
Demisexuality describes someone who only feels sexually attracted to another person after they’ve developed a deep emotional bond with them.
Dean said: ‘You need meaning babe.’
Tulisa shared that she’s looking for a deep connection, explaining she takes a while to warm up to people and hasn’t been in a relationship for over three years.
I don’t focus on physicality or being provocative. What matters to me is a genuine connection with someone, and wanting to share the feelings that come with it.
She playfully described the idea of dating or even meeting someone as making her feel unwell, joking that she views her body as sacred and ‘off-limits’.
Tim Gunn
Fashion icon Tim Gunn shared that a painful heartbreak caused him to choose celibacy for the past 43 years.
During an appearance on Chelsea Handler’s podcast on Thursday, the 72-year-old fashion consultant shared that a past infidelity led him to stop having sex when he was 29 years old.
When Gunn learned his partner of many years was being unfaithful, it felt like a devastating blow. This happened during the early days of the AIDS crisis, making the betrayal even more painful, as his partner was the only person he had ever been with.
He described a nine-year relationship in Washington, DC, with someone he loved very much and felt deeply devoted to.
I’ll never forget the night it ended. We were lying in bed watching MAS*H when he suddenly told me he’d had enough and asked me to leave.
I moved out of my apartment after living with him for a long time. I had to stop what I was doing because I started breathing rapidly and panicking. I was consumed by guilt and felt incredibly sorry for myself, and it was a really difficult time.
I had worked with this person, so I knew I wasn’t completely losing touch with him. He confided in me that night, admitting he’d been having many casual relationships, while I had remained completely faithful to him, Gunn explained.
He was my first and only sexual partner, and it was 1982, right when the AIDS crisis was beginning. I quickly went from feeling sorry for myself to being incredibly angry, because I feared he had exposed me to a life-threatening illness.
Gunn explained that he was tested for HIV every six months for a decade, and was relieved to always receive negative results.
However, the experience marred any chance of future sexual intimacy for Gunn.
Whenever I even thought about getting seriously involved with someone, those memories would flood back, overwhelming me and immediately killing any romantic interest.
He admitted it took some getting used to being single and abstaining from sexual activity, but now he couldn’t imagine his life any differently.
Mike Posner
In 2024, singer Mike Posner, known for his hit song “I Took a Pill in Ibiza,” shared that he chose to abstain from sexual activity following a breakup.
The singer revealed he used to cope with emotional pain by turning to sex, pornography, drugs, and alcohol.
He wanted to focus on healing from the pain so he could be in healthy relationships going forward.
He explained to People that when he was in pain, he coped by watching pornography or having casual encounters with women. He said his body seemed to crave distraction from the discomfort.
‘And I said, ‘I’m not going to do that this time, that’s not going to serve me.
I decided to abstain from sex and masturbation, not for moral reasons, but simply to avoid distractions and stay focused on my goals.
Cheryl Burke
I was really interested to hear what Cheryl Burke shared recently about her life after her divorce from Matthew Lawrence. She explained that she chose to be celibate for three years, and I found her reasons incredibly insightful.
The Dancing With The Stars professional, who ended her relationship with Matthew in 2022, shared that she used to date frequently but now focuses on loving and respecting herself.
She told Us Weekly that she’s happy with how much she’s grown as a person, and that she’s making that growth a deliberate and mindful process.
You know, as someone who lives a pretty public life, I often get surprised reactions when I share that I’ve chosen to be single and focus on celibacy. It’s funny – people seem skeptical, like they can’t quite wrap their heads around it. But it’s a really personal choice, and I’ve found it incredibly empowering.
She described their reaction as complete confusion, saying they seemed to not understand a word she was saying. She found this particularly noteworthy.
50 Cent
I was really surprised and impressed to see that 50 Cent announced on Instagram he’s doing an abstinence resolution for the New Year! It’s cool to see him taking that step and sharing it with all of us.
The In Da Club rapper stated he made the pledge to focus on his goals and avoid distractions.
He shared a photo of himself looking sharp, with a cigar, and wrote, ‘I’m working on a huge new project and need to stay completely focused. That means minimizing distractions, practicing self-control, meditating, and concentrating on my goals.’
The performer, known as Curtis Jackson III, finished by saying he wished everyone success in the new year.
Suggesting he might be expanding his ventures, he also included the names of his cognac brand, Branson Cognac, and his Champagne line, Le Chemin du Roi, in the post.
James Brolin
James Brolin admitted that he didn’t have sex for three years before he married Barbra Streisand.
He confessed, while appearing alongside his wife during her interview with Gayle King, that he and Barbra remained celibate throughout their entire relationship before marriage.
Okay, so, can you BELIEVE this? James just randomly started talking about how he hadn’t been with anyone for YEARS, and it all came out after someone asked his wife why she made him propose THREE TIMES before finally saying yes! Like, what even IS that? It’s so weird and out of nowhere, and I’m obsessed with figuring out what’s going on behind the scenes. Seriously, three proposals?! It’s just… everything about this is fascinating!
‘I have to try him out for at least three years,’ she joked.
He explained that he hadn’t been intimate with anyone for three years, even questioning why he would need to be. He described it as a surprising and unusual choice.
‘You’re not supposed to tell that!’ said a shocked Barbra, who slapped his knee playfully.
‘I had not had any interest in getting involved in a lousy situation,’ James added.
Barbra quickly explained that he’d been married twice previously, while she’d only been married once. James worried he might be repeating past mistakes and entering another relationship destined to fail.
Barbra Streisand was previously married to actor Elliott Gould from 1963 until 1971. James Brolin had two previous marriages: to Jane Cameron Agee from 1966 to 1984, and to Jan Smithers from 1986 to 1995.
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