Florence Pugh Explains Why She Fought So Hard Against Zach Braff 21-Year Age Gap Criticism
by Perez Hilton · Perez HiltonFlorence Pugh is opening up about why it was so important to defend her romance with Zach Braff.
In a new interview with British Vogue out on Wednesday, the Black Widow actress recalled the negative attention surrounding her romance with the Scrubs alum. For those who don’t know, fans were uncomfortable because of their two-decade age gap. Critics thought it was icky, and they let them both know! She recalled:
“People were bullying me and bullying my partner.”
On why she decided to speak out against the criticism so often, the 28-year-old added:
“Mine and Zach’s relationship was actually quite private until it was nasty, and I could see the toll that it was taking on him and us and our families. And that’s when I spoke out.”
Oof. The Don’t Worry Darling lead continued:
“I think for anyone I’m with, I want to protect them. It’s not nice knowing that people are saying the worst things I’ve ever read about someone I love. So that was necessary. I needed to talk about it.”
Aw! It couldn’t have been easy for either of them — but it’s sweet to hear how seriously she took her protector role!
While she was clearly frustrated with the public’s opinion on the relationship, Florence also acknowledged that “any relationship in this limelight is going to be stressed.” That’s true! And when you add in their massive age gap — Zach is now 49 — it’s not really shocking people had thoughts!
As Perezcious readers will recall, the pair dated from 2019 to 2022 (starting when he was 44, and she was 23), and Florence often clapped back at critics who slammed their age difference, including in a 2020 Elle UK cover story in which she argued:
“People have no right to educate me on my private life. […] It’s bizarre that normal folk are allowed to display such hate and opinions on a part of my life that I’m not putting out there.”
In an April 2020 Instagram video, she spoke to her followers directly, insisting they can’t tell her who she “should and should not love.” Zach, on the other hand, stayed quiet about the whole thing, letting Florence do all the talking for him. He claimed that’s because he couldn’t have said it better. But we do kind of wish he would have spoken up. He was the one dating a MUCH younger woman, after all. It would have been nice to hear his POV! Just saying.
These days, the exes have remained friendly since their split — and Florence is moving on! She confirmed the rumor she has a new lover in her life, telling the outlet they’re taking things slow:
“We are figuring what we actually are. And I think for the first time, I’m not allowing myself to go on a roller-coaster. I’m allowing myself to take time to let something evolve and let it be completely real to its core, as opposed to racing into that.”
She went on:
“Falling is the most amazing feeling, but unfortunately if that’s the only thing that you know in a relationship, then that’s the thing that you chase. That’s not gonna last.”
With priorities on wanting “safety, family, a home and security,” she’s trying to take her time to make “all the right decisions” for her future. No need to rush anything. Sounds like she’s super excited about the place she’s in with her new beau, so that’s exciting! We bet she’s a little hesitant to go public with the romance though — after what happened with Zach!
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