In February, Kristin Cavallari, 37, hard-launched her relationship with Mark Estes, 24, with a straightforward Instagram post announcing that Estes “makes me happy.” Predictably, this prompted plenty of judgmental comments about the 13-year age gap between the two — but Cavallari doesn’t seem too bothered.
“This is the first time in my life I truly have not given a shit what anybody thinks,” Cavallari told Bustle. “I think if people are upset about it, that has nothing to do with me. You don’t know me. My life doesn’t affect you in the slightest. If that’s triggering for someone, they need to take a look in the mirror and figure out why.”
Cavallari, who has been in the public eye since first appearing on Laguna Beach 20 years ago, said that even though outsiders have been critical of her relationship with the former Montana State football player, her inner circle hasn’t raised any concerns. “I understand what it looks like from the outside world of, like, yeah, I’m dating a 24-year-old, but no one in my life has been like, ‘This is weird.’ Everyone’s like, ‘I get it. It makes sense.’”
She added that Estes is “able to step up to the plate, and he’s shown up for me more than anyone else I’ve ever dated.” Cavallari and former NFL player Jay Cutler filed for divorce in 2020 after more than six years of marriage. They share three children. Cavallari said her relationship with Estes is the first time she’s dated without any sort of pressure: “I own my own house. I have kids. I don’t need a man for anything other than just pure happiness.”
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