Morning:
8°c
Sam Taylor-Wood in Cannes with her new actor boyfriend, aged 19
Olivia Cole, Evening StandardUpdated 14:38pm on 18 May 2009
The artist turned film director Sam Taylor-Wood is dating a teenage actor 23 years her junior. Taylor-Wood fell in love with Aaron Johnson after casting the 19-year-old as the lead in her debut feature film.
Lovers: Sam Taylor-Wood with Aaron Johnson
Taylor-Wood, who split from her husband the art dealer Jay Jopling last year, has been seeing the teenage actor for some months, according to friends.
In so doing, Taylor-Wood, 42, has even managed to outperform her estranged husband. Jopling could only manage a 22-year age gap when he embarked on an affair with Lily Allen, the 23-year-old pop singer. The couple were photographed in January in a passionate embrace aboard a yacht in the Caribbean.
Young love: Lily Allen with Jay Jopling
Taylor-Wood was rather more discreet in showing her affections for Johnson at a party at the Cannes Film Festival to publicise her first movie Nowhere Boy, a biopic based on the early life of John Lennon. The former Beatle is played by Johnson, whose previous film appearance was in the perhaps aptly titled British movie Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging.
Taylor-Wood and Jopling were during their 11 year marriage the golden couple of Brit Art. He runs the White Cube galleries and represents such artists as Damien Hirst while she is a Turner prize nominee, perhaps best known for making a video portrait of David Beckham sleeping.
Her directorial feature length debut is eagerly anticipated. The film, produced by Harvey Weinstein and due to be released in December on the anniversary of Lennon's death, tells of Lennon's coming of age in Liverpool. It also stars Kristin Scott Thomas, David Morrissey and Anne Marie Duff.
At last night's party, hosted by Weinstein and concierge service Quintessentially, Taylor-Wood, grinning from ear to ear, held court with her toyboy lover but refused to be drawn on their relationship.
She said: “I'm very excited. We've wrapped and I'm editing at the moment - I hope it's ok.”
But a member of the production team told the Standard: “From the start Aaron was dead set on her... Sam resisted it for a long time.”
Last night's party shows the interest in Nowhere Boy even with months to go before its release.
Actors attending last night's beach party included Ralph Fiennes, Colin Firth, Ben Whishaw, Robin Wright Penn and Rosanna Arquette as well as celebrities including Paris Hilton and Peaches Geldof. David Furnish, Sir Elton John's partner and a close friend of Taylor-Wood, said: “There's a progression from photography and film to cinema - it's hugely exciting. There's always been a cinematographic aspect to her work. The film business is a difficult one for female directors so it's great to see Sam making her debut.”
Julian Lennon, the late Beatle's son, was at the party, organised by Quintessentially, but appeared to have strong reservations about the latest depiction of his father. He said: “It's weird. I know what I know, I like what I know, and I don't like some of what I know and I don't particularly want to see someone else's variation on that. But Sam seems extremely nice and the film looks as though it will be something interesting.”
Reader views (27)
Ok im 23 and I thing he is hot,but she is really hot as well,girls around my age may not understand why they are together but I do.She is so pretty,I have been looking at photos of her and she is outstanding!!!This photo may not be the best but hei,he knows her and there must be something about her that he loves,otherwise he would not be with her!So what about the age?Why is it that she must be using him,hello he has got his own brain and can think for himself,not like she did this on her own!Sorry but this is just my opinion!
I must apiligise for my spelling if it is off,im from Iceland,although I cant talk English wery well,im not as got at the spelling! I hope it works out for them,they look soooo happy =)
- Klara Jóhanna Hlynsdóttir, Reykjavík Iceland, 07/10/2010 05:13
Report abuse
Im 27 and my fionce is 45 and yes Im a woman but i dont see why its different when the woman is older. we have 17 years difference and are together 6 years now. I was 21 when I became stepmom to 3 kids but he let me do my things too so I go out meet friends and have a perfectly normal life. Because of all the hate from our environment we have split for 3 months only to discover our love was stronger than the vile comments of jealous people in unhappy relationships. Im an old soul and hes a young soul too. We like the same music have the same ideas to life same values etc. If people say he ruins my life i find that a huge insult to both my intelligence and to his because hes treating me fantastically. I can only imagine the comments they are getting because in this case the woman is older. Shame shame shame on you all. You fall in love with a person not just with the outside package. Now you see why he dates an older woman instead of you young girls that think beauty and photoshop means more than whats inside. You prove his point exactly hehe.
- Yumi, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 26/09/2010 12:01
Report abuse
Stupid. To say this woman being older than him is going to ruin his life. How exactly? They are together because he wants to be with her, and she wants to be with him...two ADULTS having a relationship regardless of the age gap which is totally irrelevant. Nobody questions it when it's an older man with a younger woman. And at the end of the day...even if it doesn't work out...so what? Happens to couples of the same age anyway. It's part of life. You can't put it down to age difference...so many variables in a relationship. And people, we are all going to get to that age one day...will be interesting to see how you all think of yourselves when you are her age. I bet you will all be quick to forget your thoughts on this forum, and think of yourselves as young! Age is just a number.
- Maria, Melbourne, Australia, 06/06/2010 13:36
Report abuse
Would there be so many irrate postings here if it were the other way around? Why are so many people, and mainly women, incandescent with rage at the age gap, when if he was 42 and she was l9, we wouldn't bat an eyelid because society sees old men and young girl as 'normal'. It is these people with such sexist mindsets who are disgusting.
- Lynne Wallis, London, 04/05/2010 12:06
Report abuse
How dare she! That is someone elses child. How would she feel if her 19 year old son was having sex with a 43 year old woman. Gosh, his poor mother must not have been happy at all. To her Aaron should just be a kid.
I'd like to see how far a 43 year old woman would get to taking advantage my son.
Stupid brainless woman. She disgusts me.
I feel sorry for Aaron's mummy. =(
- Hannah, Sydney Australia, 22/04/2010 02:12
Report abuse
Man i love him! I know this woman has been through a hell of a lot with her cancer and stuff, and I applaud her for that, but she is actually going to ruin his life as well. For gods sake he's only 19! She's 42 and is having his baby, to me it seems like she is just using him to get back at her ex-husband, I really hope this doesn't last because Aaron Johnson is such a good actor, he is so young and instead of focusing on his studies and maybe going to university, he has to worry about marriage and children. I hope he will see what a mistake he's made before it's too late.
- Pixie, London, England, 14/04/2010 14:57
Report abuse
this is a scandale, it's disgusting, and what the hell is she thinking?!
She is just taking away the best time of his life.
I think it is irresponsible of her and not his.
- Naomi, Netherlands, 11/04/2010 20:45
Report abuse
awwww what a shame...i dont think he really knows what the hell hes doing and it makes me mad that hes doing something he will almost certianly regret. what a cougar there are ways to resist you know, she must be heartless taking his bright future away just like that!
- Mag, America, 06/04/2010 04:37
Report abuse
Interesting. First I thought man, can this be real? and of course it is.
It seems like that Aaron and Sam has something really interesting... 'love' some might say. Aaron seems like a nice gentlemen, smart and has an ambition for life... Let him be with Sam; love is love. He looks like the type of person who has an 'ol soul'... its a good match. Ashton and Demi worked it out... why not them.. age shouldn't be in the way. Even if society despise the idea; time will tell.
-Me
- Me, Minneapolis, MN, 03/04/2010 18:42
Report abuse
OMG!!! thats so crazy and im sorry but a 19 year old should not be with someone that is like 24 years older than him....and hes a FATHER!!! ahh but hes got his whole life ahead of him and hes wasting it on her and hes such a FITTY! ugh this crushes me.....i rly hope its a sham for publicity because this will ruin his rep as a good person....people will start to spread things...wow my heart just breaks for him
- Emily, Johnson, USA, 01/03/2010 00:47
Report abuse
thats soooooooooo wrong. he's only 19 and will be bored in a year or so. feel sorry for her really as she is probably thinking that they have a chance!!!!
- Hannah, London, 23/02/2010 15:25
Report abuse
You know I don't want to judge. Love is love afterall. She is a great personality, a great woman and a great artist. I would'nt mind the age gap so much I guess in other situations, I think its just that were naturally reacting to it so badly: due to the fact that he is only 19. IF he was in his later twenties dating a woman 20 years his senior, id feel different. He seems to be a boy full of soul and artistic vision.. and she must be an inspiration to him. Im trying to understand.. but having a child? I don't see this working out. But if it does.. bravo to them. I just hope they're happy.
- Aleksandra, Sydney, Australia, 13/02/2010 11:15
Report abuse
Just because he looks like John Lennon....
- Lotty, UK, 24/01/2010 13:52
Report abuse
I don't understand he can't even drink yet he's 19 she's 42 and it's just messed up. Now he has two kids to worry about and one on the way. He's 19 he should be worrying about his career and studies not about marriage and kids. H would of had plenty of time to meet so many people and experience more relationships. But I guess if it's meant to be I will wok out. We can't do anything about it.
- Nina, USA, 21/01/2010 04:37
Report abuse
this is wrong.
he's just starting his life and she's taking his young adulthood away from him. she's horribly sick to think that she can keep him to herself, and he doesn't know what love is so young.
maybe it's a hoax so they can both get publicity, but either way, this is horrifying to think about.
i mean, COME ON!, she's gonna be hitting menopause before they can even be together for 6 years!
- Melissa, America, 17/01/2010 22:14
Report abuse
I'm trying not to judge but... she looks more like his mother. : / I mean, it's like my own mum going out with the guy I currently like. It just looks... odd...
- Rachel, Dublin, 15/01/2010 00:10
Report abuse
omg she's 42 and he's 19 I can't believe this!
i've heard she's pregnant whit his child! :O
- Becca, Germany, 09/01/2010 15:11
Report abuse
I nearly threw up when I first heard the news. Sick. She's ugly, he's hot. She's old, he's young. It's like my mother dating someone who's just graduated. Sick.
- Sara, Michigan, America, 08/01/2010 20:30
Report abuse
its so wrong , its makes me feel physically sick that she is now pregnant with his child! he's so gorgeous 
and he went for HER :S dont you think its abit wierd, like it might just be an act ?
- Hollie Ackland, brighton and hove, 08/01/2010 10:07
Report abuse
honestly, after hearing this bloody awful news, i can't help but think that somehow sam's using the poor bloke to get back at her estranged husband. the fact that he too was found snoggin a youngster only makes it look worse. for aarons sake i hope shes got her head 'round the right ideas.
- Victoria, San Fransisco, 31/12/2009 02:01
Report abuse
why do the old people get the HOT british boys?
- Emily, America, 29/12/2009 19:48
Report abuse
oh...ew. i mean. she isnt that great looking, sounds like a bit of a bore and he is SO YOUNG!!! its personally creeping me out. He should go out with someone his own age, and let her be a god damn couger with some other poor bloke no one has heard of!!
- Georgie, Melbourne, Australia, 18/12/2009 06:08
Report abuse
Girls ... love knows no age. It could be a publicity stunt or it could be genuine. Demi and Ashton (for example) have lasted quite some time now and look good together. When you girls get to 40 and a young cute guy is interested in dating you, you may change your opinion! If guys can be shallow and cheat/dump wives for younger models then surely a female can do the same. You're traitors to the sisterhood, brainwashed by the media that you have to be young and pretty to get things in life. My aunt when she was 35 married a guy 12 years younger and she's very happy - has been for 20 years, she got the same grief initially!
- Rebecca, London, 03/12/2009 09:32
Report abuse
i Can't Believe She's 42 
He's Gorgeous Aswell
- Alexandra, Liverpool, England, 28/10/2009 20:45
Report abuse
Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo :'(
He's so cute!!
- Emma, Slough, 28/10/2009 19:45
Report abuse
argg hes soo nice why go with a 40 odd year old
and its not even as iff shes pretty,shes vile!!
- Em, london, 28/10/2009 19:45
Report abuse
Whaaa?? why? He's such a cutie! shes a little old for himm:(, no offense!!
he was so good in angus thongs and perrrfect snoggin'! <3 he should do another movie like thatt.
too bad;(
- Chelsia, Burlington Canada, 28/10/2009 19:45
Report abuse
