The scoop, if you can even call it that, is Us Weekly telling us Nikki’s in a “good place” and “enjoying the single life,” even as this DeJean drama swirls. Like, come on. Is she single or is she hanging out with a 22-year-old NFL player? Pick a lane, people. It’s not rocket science. It’s just celebrity gossip, and we’re here for the messy truth, aren’t we?
So, What’s the Real Deal With “Single Life”?
Here’s the thing. Nikki Garcia, formerly Nikki Bella, just finalized her divorce from Artem Chigvintsev in 2024. That’s, what, like five minutes ago in celebrity time? They’ve got a kid, Matteo, who’s five. So, yeah, I’m not gonna lie, when I hear “she’s having fun and enjoying being single,” my immediate thought isn’t, “Oh, she’s totally dating a guy twenty years her junior.” It’s more like, “She’s probably trying to get her head on straight, manage co-parenting, and maybe, just maybe, go out for a nice dinner without having to explain her life story to a new person.”
But then the whispers start. Cooper DeJean. Philadelphia Eagles. Young. Hot. You know the drill. And a source – always a source, right? – tells Us Weekly that she’s been to a “couple games” and “they have hung out.” My spidey senses are tingling here. Because “hanging out” with someone who’s basically a baby compared to you (no offense, Cooper, but you’re literally half her age) right after a divorce, while simultaneously claiming to be “enjoying single life,” just feels… convenient.
I mean, can’t a woman just go to a football game? Maybe she’s a fan. Maybe she likes the atmosphere. Or maybe, just maybe, she’s meeting up with someone for a casual drink, and the paparazzi – or a “source” looking to make a buck – sees dollar signs. This whole thing smells like a classic case of “let’s spin this into a romance because it makes for better headlines.” And honestly, who cares?
The Age Gap Thing – Are We Still Doing This?
Look, I’m not here to police anyone’s dating life. If Nikki Garcia wants to date a guy who was literally born when she was already a teenager, more power to her. But let’s be real, the optics are always… interesting. She’s 42. He’s 22. That’s a full two decades. When I was 22, the thought of dating someone who was 42 would have sent me running for the hills, mostly because they’d probably have, like, a mortgage and actual responsibilities. And when I was 42, dating a 22-year-old would feel like I was babysitting. I’m just saying.
But this isn’t about my preferences, is it? This is about Nikki. And what’s intriguing here is that the “source” is so adamant she’s not looking for anything serious. Which, again, totally tracks with being freshly divorced and having a young kid. But it also tracks with maybe, just maybe, enjoying some light, no-strings-attached company. If that company happens to be a ridiculously fit, young NFL player who probably thinks her WWE career is “retro cool,” then hey, why not?
So, Is This a Fling or Just Friendly Fan-ing?
This is the million-dollar question, isn’t it? The narrative is so carefully crafted: “She is having fun and enjoying being single,” the source says. And then, “when Garcia isn’t on the road she is at home with her son Matteo, 5.” It’s painting a picture of a busy, independent mom who’s got her priorities straight. Which, awesome. Good for her.
But then why even mention Cooper DeJean? Why leak the “couple games” and “hung out” tidbits? Because it creates buzz. It gets people talking. And in the celebrity world, talking equals relevance. It’s a tale as old as time.
“It’s the oldest trick in the book: float a rumor, deny it’s serious, and everyone keeps clicking to see what happens next. It’s the bread and butter of the celeb gossip machine.”
I mean, if she was really just “enjoying being single,” you wouldn’t hear about her “hanging out” with anyone specific, especially not someone generating headlines. This is a controlled leak, probably designed to gauge public reaction, keep her name in the headlines, and frankly, maybe even see if there’s something there without having to commit to a full-blown “relationship reveal.” It’s a soft launch for a potential flirtation, at best.
The “NFL Player” Factor
Let’s not forget the context here: Cooper DeJean is an NFL player. Young, athletic, likely surrounded by a certain kind of lifestyle. And Nikki Garcia, a former WWE superstar, is no stranger to the spotlight or to dating within high-profile athletic circles. It’s a world she knows. But it’s also a world that often comes with its own set of expectations and pressures.
From what I can tell, this isn’t some clandestine, hush-hush affair. This is a few public appearances, a few whispers, and then a very convenient “she’s just having fun and enjoying single life” statement. It screams “casual.” It screams “no pressure.” And honestly, that might be exactly what Nikki needs right now. She’s been through a lot. A high-profile relationship, a marriage, a baby, a very public divorce. She probably doesn’t want to jump headfirst into another serious thing. And a 22-year-old NFL rookie? Probably not looking for picket fences and PTA meetings either.
This isn’t some deep, passionate love story. It’s a moment in time. It’s two people who probably find each other interesting, attractive, and maybe even a little bit of a distraction. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.
What This Actually Means
Here’s my honest take. Nikki Garcia is a single, successful woman, a mother, and she’s figuring things out post-divorce. If she’s “hung out” with Cooper DeJean a few times, and she’s gone to “a couple games,” then that’s exactly what it is: she’s hung out, and she’s gone to a couple games.
The “romance” part? That’s the media doing what it does best-blowing things way, way out of proportion. The source is basically telling us, “Hey, this isn’t serious, she’s single, she’s having fun.” And that’s probably the most accurate part of the whole damn thing. She’s not looking for a husband. She’s probably just enjoying some attention, maybe a bit of a harmless flirtation, and frankly, good for her.
So, for everyone expecting wedding bells or a new power couple, slow your roll. This sounds more like a “just friends with benefits” situation that hasn’t even fully ripened into the “benefits” part yet, or maybe just a woman enjoying some male company without the heavy baggage. And honestly, isn’t that what we all want sometimes? Just a little fun, no strings, no expectations. Especially after navigating a very public, very final split. Let the woman live, okay? She’s earned a bit of casual fun, whatever that looks like for her. And if it means going to some Eagles games and grabbing a drink with a much younger player, then so be it. The world will keep turning.
