In her new Netflix comedy special, Ali Wong reflects on her journey through single life, which has now taken an unexpected turn. Titled Ali Wong: Single Lady, the 42-year-old comedian discusses her divorce from ex-husband Justin Hakuta and her return to the dating world.
Although she never anticipated that her personal life would become such a hot topic, Wong humorously notes that it transformed into ideal material for her comedy routine. Wong expressed her surprise at how widely publicized her divorce became, stating, “I didn’t expect the news of my divorce to be so widespread and public.”
She shared feelings of embarrassment and shame but soon realized that the media frenzy was essentially a signal for interested men to reach out. “I’ve never been pursued this much in my life,” she admitted.
Upon arriving in London, Wong was greeted with a bouquet of flowers from Hader, marking the start of their romance
A new romantic interest emerged when Wong met a man at dinner parties whom she barely knew. After a mutual friend provided him her number, he wasted no time in reaching out.
The actor, later revealed to be her boyfriend Bill Hader, made an amusing introduction: “Hey, Ali. I just happened to hear the news of your divorce today, and I gotta tell you…I’m excited.” He confessed that he had long admired her and wanted her to be his girlfriend.
Despite the enticing offer, Wong mentioned that the timing was awkward because she had just invested $250 in a dating app. “Shortly after that phone call, I take off to Europe,” she said, sharing that upon arriving in London, she found a bouquet of flowers waiting for her from Hader.
While traveling through Amsterdam, Cologne, and Copenhagen, Hader continued to send her flowers. “I told all my girlfriends and they were like, ‘Oh my God, that is so sweet. I am so jealous,’” she beamed. However, her male friends reacted quite differently, humorously labeling Hader as a “psychopath” for such romantic gestures, reflecting on how low the bar has become for men.
Despite Hader’s attention, Wong still went on dates with other individuals, including a “big fancy movie director.” She jokingly admitted, “For the longest time I was so focused on getting d—ed down,” highlighting the difficulty of finding a partner who met her standards. She described her ideal boyfriend as someone talented, funny, and artistically inspiring, a feat that seemed daunting.
Wong has maintained a close friendship with her ex-husband, which adds another layer of complexity to her dating life. “Divorce gets a really bad reputation and it can sound really scary and full of acrimony,” she remarked, offering herself as an example of a more amicable separation. “I’m best friends with my ex-husband,” she added, emphasizing her need for respect and support from him.
However, Wong revealed that her current boyfriend is Hader. “I did fall in love again,” she disclosed, noting that he is indeed the man who sent her those flowers during her European trip. The couple confirmed their relationship in April 2023, just a year after her split from Hakuta. Although they briefly dated in 2022, they rekindled their romance and have remained together since.
Previously, Wong mentioned her desire to keep the relationship “very selectively private,” but she did share insights into their compatibility. “It’s just also, like, we’re both, like, in our 40s and parents,” Wong noted in an interview with Access Hollywood in January.
