If you’ve spent any time on the internet over the last decade, you’ve probably seen the question pop up. Is Drew Carey gay? It’s one of those persistent celebrity rumors that just won’t quit, despite years of evidence to the contrary. People see a bachelor in Hollywood who hasn't walked down the aisle by his mid-60s and they start connecting dots that aren't actually there.
The truth? Drew Carey is not gay. He’s been very open about his life, his heartbreaks, and his romantic history, which has exclusively involved women. But in the world of SEO and celebrity gossip, the "why" behind the rumor is often just as interesting as the facts themselves.
Where did the "Is Drew Carey Gay" rumors even come from?
Honestly, a lot of it comes down to a mix of his on-screen roles and his private nature. Back in the day, The Drew Carey Show was actually pretty progressive for a network sitcom.
Remember his brother, Steve? The character, played by John Carroll Lynch, was a cross-dresser who eventually married Mimi. For the late 90s, having a recurring character explore gender expression in a non-villainous way was huge. Because Drew was the face of the show and a vocal supporter of his "brother's" storyline, some viewers blurred the lines between the actor and the writing.
Then there’s the bachelor factor. Carey has been a household name since the early 90s, yet he’s never been married. In the old-school Hollywood gossip machine, "perpetual bachelor" was often used as code. But if you look at his actual track record, his life has been defined by long-term, deeply committed relationships with women—some of which ended in ways that are truly devastating.
The tragic love story of Drew Carey and Amie Harwick
You can't talk about Drew’s personal life without mentioning Amie Harwick. This wasn't just some Hollywood fling. It was the kind of love people write novels about.
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Amie was a renowned family and sex therapist. They met at a party in 2017, and Drew was smitten basically within seconds. He’s told reporters that he knew almost immediately he wanted to marry her. They got engaged in early 2018, and while they eventually called off the engagement later that year, the love didn't just evaporate.
The story takes a dark, heartbreaking turn in February 2020. Amie was tragically murdered by an obsessed ex-boyfriend. The news absolutely shattered Drew. Even now, in 2026, he still speaks about her with a raw kind of grief that’s hard to watch. He’s gone on record saying he still considers himself a "widower" in his heart.
"I think about her every day," Drew told Us Weekly in a recent 2025 interview. "It destroyed me for a while. I still don't date. I have women I go out with and spend time with, but it's all platonic."
When a man is that vocally devastated by the loss of a woman he loved, it pretty much puts the sexuality rumors to bed. He isn't hiding anything; he's just healing.
His history with Nicole Jaracz
Before Amie, there was Nicole Jaracz. They were together for nearly a decade.
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Drew and Nicole got engaged back in 2007. During their time together, Drew became a father figure to her son, Connor. In fact, Connor is often credited as the main reason Drew finally got serious about his health and lost all that weight. He wanted to be around to see the kid grow up.
They never made it to the altar, eventually splitting in 2012. But the breakup was famously amicable. There was no drama, no scandalous "coming out" announcement—just two people who grew apart but stayed in each other's corners.
Why we keep asking about celebrity sexuality
It’s kinda weird how obsessed we are with this, right?
Part of it is just the nature of fame. When someone like Drew Carey is in your living room every day hosting The Price Is Right, you feel like you know him. You want him to have the "happily ever after" that usually involves a wedding and a spouse.
Also, Drew has always been a massive ally to the LGBTQ+ community. He’s spoken out against discriminatory legislation and has always been a "live and let live" kind of guy. Sometimes, when a celebrity is particularly supportive of queer rights, people assume they’re part of the community themselves. While that’s sometimes true, in Drew’s case, it’s just a matter of being a decent human being.
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Current status: Is he dating anyone in 2026?
Lately, the tabloids have been buzzing again. In mid-2025, paparazzi caught him grabbing lunch at Swingers Diner in LA with Niki Skyler, a former OnlyFans model and Penthouse Pet.
Predictably, the "new girlfriend" headlines started flying immediately. But Drew was quick to shut it down. He’s been very clear that while he has female friends, he isn't looking for a serious romantic partner. The trauma of losing Amie changed his perspective on intimacy.
Basically, Drew is living his life on his own terms. He’s got his soccer (he’s a part-owner of the Seattle Sounders), he’s got The Price Is Right, and he’s got a tight circle of friends.
Summary of the facts:
- Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual.
- Marriage History: Never married, but engaged twice (Nicole Jaracz and Amie Harwick).
- Children: No biological children, but remains close to his former stepson, Connor.
- Current Status: Single and, by his own admission, not actively looking for a relationship.
If you’re looking for a scandal or a "secret life," you won't find it here. Drew Carey is exactly who he appears to be: a guy who has loved deeply, lost significantly, and is now focused on his work and his mental health.
If you want to keep up with what Drew is actually doing—rather than the rumors—the best place is to catch him on The Price Is Right or follow his photography work, which he often shares under his "Photo Drew" pseudonym. He's much more interested in talking about lighting and composition than he is about who he's taking to dinner.
Next Steps for Readers:
Check out Drew’s advocacy work for domestic violence awareness, a cause he took up following the death of Amie Harwick. If you or someone you know is dealing with grief or loss, resources like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offer support groups that mirror the kind of healing journey Drew has been vocal about.