Sam Taylor-Johnson makes rare comment about 23-year age gap with husband Aaron Taylor-Johnson

Sam Taylor-Johnson says the people criticizing her relationship with Aaron Taylor-Johnson are “abusive” trolls who are “upset” with their own lives.

The 57-year-old acclaimed director – who is 23 years older than her actor husband, 33 – said in a new interview that their much talked about age gap “never” comes up in their marriage.

“I mean, it’s coming up now because you’re asking,” she told The Guardian. “And it comes up on the outside perspective of people who don’t know us, because I guess people will always … we’re a bit of an anomaly, but it’s that thing. After 14 years you just think, surely by now it doesn’t really matter?”

Sam Taylor-Johnson spoke out about her relationship with Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who is 23 years her junior. Getty Images
The pair have been married for 14 years. James Veysey/Shutterstock
They met on the set of a film she was directing in 2009. samtaylorjohnson/Instagram

The “Fifty Shades of Grey” filmmaker noted that their relationship has already lasted longer than her first marriage to art dealer Jay Jopling, 60, whom she was married to from 1997 to 2008.

“So, if you think of it in that way, then the age gap doesn’t really make any difference,” she said.

Sam also spoke candidly about her dealings with “abusive” people online who have been critical of her romance with Aaron, whom she met on the set of her 2009 film, “Nowhere Boy.” 

“We’re a bit of an anomaly,” Sam said in an interview over the weekend. TheImageDirect.com
The filmmaker described critics of their relationship as “people upset with their own sadness.” samtaylorjohnson/Instagram

“It’s just there, but it doesn’t mean anything,” she said of the social media commentary

“It is just people upset with their own sadness; with misgivings about their own life,” she went on, noting that her children don’t seem to “care” about the criticism either.

“They see two loving, happy parents, so it doesn’t really register. They just think people are a bit mean, or mad.”

She explained that she has a a “f–k it, let’s go with it” approach to life. Getty Images
“If I had been cynical for a second, it wouldn’t have worked,” she said. samtaylorjohnson/Instagram

The mother of four — who shares Wylda, 13, and Romy Hero, 11, with Aaron, and Angelica, 25, and Jessie, 15, with Jopling — said she has always remained confident in her relationship.

“If I had been cynical for a second, it wouldn’t have worked. If I had questioned anything, it would never have worked,” she said.

“I’m quite instinctual. I’ve gone feet first into everything in my life. I’m always, ‘This seems amazing,’ and I jump straight in and go through the experience, whether good or bad. It’s definitely a ‘F–k it, let’s go with it’ approach. And I’m a great believer that the heart overrides everything. Love conquers all.”

The couple have welcomed two children. Sam also shares two kids with her first husband. WireImage
The pair tied the knot in 2012. FilmMagic

Aaron, who described his wife as “a great filmmaker and a wonderful storyteller” in an interview last month, previously admitted that the ongoing criticism of their marriage was challenging.


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“There’s a protectiveness that I feel,” he told Rolling Stone UK.

The “Bullet Train” actor has also addressed the criticism. Getty Images
“I’m just trying to juggle my family and my work,” he said in response to the rampant commentary.

“I think it’s really difficult. There’s also part of me that feels like if something didn’t work, I’m the one that’s responsible,” the “Kick-Ass” star continued.

“People see and perceive this thing around my career, and that’s OK. But I’m just trying to juggle my family and my work. I’m doing normal life; dentist appointments. Career doesn’t necessarily take a back seat, but it takes a different thought behind the choices that you make.”

The couple tied the knot in 2012.