Hollywood Celebrities Discuss Celibacy and Dating Lives

Mackenzie Phillips, at 66, reflects on her past extroverted life compared to her current quieter existence. In a conversation on Valerie Bertinelli’s “Getting Naked” podcast, Phillips shared how her energy depletes quickly after a busy day. “I would get home, and I would have no words left…I had to be alone to recharge,” she said, reported by People. She has chosen celibacy for 15 years as part of this lifestyle.

Phillips discussed her decision with Bertinelli, who noted there is nothing wrong with being celibate. Phillips mentioned she had “had enough sex to last for several lifetimes.” She doesn’t pursue relationships, saying, “I have my little friend in the bedside drawer.” Bertinelli, herself, shared experiencing “periods of celibacy,” having been without physical intimacy for nearly two years.

Phillips has been through multiple marriages. Her first marriage was with music manager Jeff Sessler, which lasted two years, ending in 1981. She later married guitarist Shane Fontayne for 14 years before separating in 2000. In 2005, she married her third husband, Keith Levenson, before divorcing two years later. She decided against dating years ago.

American Pie star Shannon Elizabeth and actresses Sharon Stone and Teri Hatcher are similarly choosing paths that don’t involve dating. (Getty Images)

Sharon Stone also spoke on her celibacy during “Mayim Bialik’s Breakdown” podcast questioning her relationship choices. Stone shared her pursuit of companionship over casual relationships. She said, “I’m kind of bored with that…I really only want to be with someone that I care for.” Stone has had various relationship experiences, having been married to producer Michael Greenburg and then to journalist Phil Bronstein.

“Desperate Housewives” star Teri Hatcher recently disclosed to HELLO! that she has been off the dating scene for seven years. While open to possibilities, she stated she’s “so single.” Hatcher emphasized her fulfilling friendships, saying, “I have such a giant community of beautiful friends.” A brief dating attempt led her to leave dating apps after a wrongful account flagging incident.

Hatcher married Marcus Liethold in 1989 for a year. She remarried in 1994 to Jon Tenney, with whom she had a daughter, before separating in 2003.