In a rare interview following Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s recent alleged scandal, Cheryl Hines is exclusively opening up to Us Weekly about their long-lasting marriage.
“There has to be a connection,” Hines, 59, exclusively told Us at the Groundlings 50th Anniversary Event in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 19. “There’s, like, a connection that you look at your husband or your partner and all the crazy going on around you, or you look and you check in and it’s like, ‘OK. It’s going to be OK. We’re going to move through this moment.’ And, you know, a lot of times it’s funny and you can lean over and say, ‘This is crazy balls,’ and have a moment together and then hold your head up high and go to the next thing.”
Hines and Kennedy, 70, have been married since 2014 following previous divorces. Their connection initially took the Curb Your Enthusiasm alum by surprise.
“When I met Bobby, I said, ‘You never wanted to go into politics?’ and he said, ‘No, I feel like I can do more work as an environmental attorney and I don’t have to. I’m not beholden to companies or corporations,” Hines recalled to Us. “I was like, ‘Great. This is going to be great!’ And then life gives you a left turn, a right turn, however it turns out to be.”
Cheryl Hines and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Relationship Timeline
Kennedy eventually did follow in his family’s political footsteps, but Hines never let that define him or their connection.
“People have a lot of feelings about politics, especially in Hollywood, and I don’t know. I mean, so far I feel like it’s OK,” she said. “I’m OK to have conversations like that with people and, to me, it doesn’t define somebody. To some people it does and it’s like you can’t control it. There’s nothing I can do about it, so I have to let it wash over me.”
Hines’ relationship has been under a microscope this year. Kennedy was accused last month of having an “inappropriate physical relationship” with a journalist. Both reporter Olivia Nuzzi, who was placed on leave from employer New York Magazine, and Kennedy denied a physical relationship. The former presidential candidate, through a spokesperson, further claimed that he only met Nuzzi once when she profiled him for an interview that he described as a “hit piece.”
Hines never publicly addressed the scandal and was frequently seen stepping out alongside Kennedy earlier this month. At Saturday’s event, she also wore her wedding ring and detailed how the couple deals with “rumors.”
“Lots of emotions with rumors! But, it will all be in my book,” Hines quipped. “I’m writing a book. I’ve been taking notes — serious notes!”
Hines isn’t letting any of the drama faze her, noting to Us that she recently is having “a lot of fun with [her] family.” (Hines and Kennedy each share children from their previous marriages.)
“They’re fun. I mean, if I had a boring family it would be tough,” she said. “And I think just trying to embrace the unknown and instead of fighting against it, is sort of trying to embrace it and just say yes to whatever comes your way. Just to let it flow and to find the little moments and not take anything too seriously. Even though I find myself in very serious situations!”
Hines, who gushed that she is “attracted to interesting, smart people,” is also embracing the fun at the Groundlings celebration at Los Angeles’ Jonathan Club. She is a notable alum of the improv program.
How Cheryl Hines Reacted to Husband RFK Jr’s Affair With Olivia Nuzzi
“I think it was all in the dressing room, like the chaos in the dressing room,” Hines said of her favorite Groundlings memories. “You hear the music and you know you’re supposed to be on stage and you’re trying to get your wig on and you’re trying to remember your lines and everybody’s sort of in this controlled chaos together.”
She added, “It always seemed to be a magical show and then it’s been really, really fun to watch the people around you achieve these amazing achievements. … Sometimes I’ll go in to audition. I’m like, ‘Hi! We were in the main company together for two years ago, but it’s great!’ And that’s what you hope for when you start the Groundlings.”
Doing improv with the famed troupe also trained Hines for other life lessons.
“The number one rule is to say yes — no matter what anybody says,” she said. “Yeah, you’re on a date and it’s like, ‘Oh, you’re having a good time? Yes! I’m having a great time’ and then you add information, ‘I love the shrimp cocktail!’ And then that does help you move through life. You meet a stranger and you can have a connection with them if you just start listening and paying attention to what they’re saying.”
With reporting by Lanae Brody
