Finding love after loss is never a straight line. It's more like a messy, zigzagging path through a forest where you don't have a map and the weather keeps changing. For Amanda Kloots, the world watched her navigate the most public form of grief imaginable when her husband, Broadway star Nick Cordero, died in 2020. Since then, every time she’s seen standing next to a man, the internet explodes. People want her to be happy, but they also have a lot of opinions about how she should go about it.
Honestly, the narrative around Amanda Kloots dating has been exhausting. For a while, the rumors were relentless. Was she with her Dancing With the Stars partner? Was she secretly seeing a mystery man in Europe?
The truth is finally out in the open.
Who is Amanda Kloots Dating Right Now?
As of early 2026, Amanda is officially off the market. She’s dating retired tennis pro Justin Gimelstob.
This isn't just another "maybe" or a tabloid "source says" situation. They made it red carpet official back in April 2025 at the An Unforgettable Evening gala in Beverly Hills. They didn't just walk the carpet; they looked genuinely, vibrantly happy. Amanda wore a baby blue dress, and the chemistry was obvious to anyone with eyes.
The way they met is actually kind of a slow burn. They didn't match on an app or meet at a bar. They first crossed paths at a Formula 1 race in Las Vegas about a year and a half before they ever actually went on a date. Justin has been pretty open about the fact that he was "admiring her from a distance" for a long time.
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He persisted. She was hesitant.
They played tennis as friends first. They moved in the same circles. Eventually, the timing just clicked. When you're a single mom and a widow, "just clicking" usually requires a lot of emotional heavy lifting behind the scenes.
The Real Story Behind the "Courting" Phase
Amanda has used the word "courting" to describe their relationship. It sounds old-fashioned, doesn't it? But it makes sense when you consider she hadn't really "dated" in the modern sense for decades. She met both of her husbands through work on Broadway. They were friends first, then coworkers, then partners.
Jumping into the dating pool at 39, 40, 41? Terrifying.
She actually tried the dating apps for a bit. It was a disaster. She told the Oldish podcast that she gave it a "solid push" for about three months and ended up feeling completely depressed. She’s an energy person. Swiping on a screen felt morally wrong to her, like she was judging people based on a thumbnail. She hated it.
The Men Who Weren't: Debunking the Rumors
You can’t talk about Amanda Kloots dating without addressing the Alan Bersten of it all.
When they were partners on Season 30 of Dancing With the Stars, the "showmance" rumors were everywhere. Their chemistry on the floor was electric. But Amanda has been very clear: they are just friends. In fact, she recently revealed that their partnership was actually quite tense at times. She mentioned on a podcast that he could be "very mean" during rehearsals—not out of malice, but because of his intense Russian dance training and his drive to win.
They’ve healed that, though. They are still close, but it was never romantic.
Then there was the speculation about her "blessing" from Nick. Amanda has mentioned in interviews that she’s spoken to mediums who told her Nick wanted her to find love again. That’s a heavy thing to carry into a new relationship. It's not just two people in the room; it's the memory of a "guardian angel" too.
Blending Families and Moving Forward
This isn't just about two adults getting dinner. Both Amanda and Justin have kids. Amanda’s son, Elvis, is growing up fast—he's nearly finished with kindergarten now. Justin has an older son, Brandon.
The most heartwarming part of this new chapter? The kids actually get along.
Amanda mentioned that the transition was natural because Justin met Elvis as a "friend" first. There wasn't some big, scary "meet the new boyfriend" moment. It just evolved. Justin has praised Amanda’s grace and her skills as a mother, which, let’s be real, is probably the fastest way to a single mom’s heart.
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Why This Relationship Feels Different
- Mutual Understanding: Justin is also a father, so he gets the "kid-first" lifestyle.
- Athletic Bond: They bonded over tennis, which is a huge part of Justin's life and something Amanda loves.
- Zero Pressure: They took 18 months to go from "meeting" to "dating."
- Public Approval: Her late husband’s family has been supportive of her journey, which removes a massive layer of "widow guilt."
Life Lessons from Amanda’s Journey
If you’re looking at Amanda Kloots and wondering how she did it, there are a few takeaways that aren't just celebrity fluff.
First, stop apologizing for moving on. Amanda got a lot of heat for dating "too soon" (even though it had been a year). She clapped back, and rightly so. Grief doesn't have a stopwatch.
Second, the apps aren't for everyone. If swiping makes you miserable, stop. Meet people through mutual friends. Play a sport. Go to an event.
Third, let the "courting" happen. You don't have to rush into a label or a shared zip code just because you're lonely. Amanda and Justin seem to be enjoying the slow pace, and it's clearly working.
What to do next:
If you're navigating your own journey through dating after a major life change, take a page out of Amanda's book: prioritize your peace over the "swipe." Start by reconnecting with a hobby—like tennis or a local class—where you can meet people organically without the pressure of a digital profile. If you're struggling with the "guilt" of moving on, consider speaking with a grief counselor who specializes in life transitions; it can help clear the emotional space needed for a new partner to eventually step in.