Aaron Taylor-Johnson's Wife Sam Wants Fans To Understand This Aspect of Their Age-Gap Marriage

Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Sam Taylor-Johnson spend a lot of time defending their 23-year, age-gap marriage because it makes some people uncomfortable — she’s 57, he’s 33. While their union has stood the test of time, many fans openly discuss that Aaron was just 18 when he was cast in her movie, Nowhere Boy, in 2009 — and the power dynamic of a director and a young actor is the issue most often discussed.

Both Sam and Aaron have denied the idea that he was “groomed” and present their tight bond as an example of how their love is unusual, but meant to be. In a new interview with The Guardian, Sam wants critics to understand why their marriage works and why it’s time for them to back down with their negative opinions.

More from SheKnows

• Sam Taylor-Johnson's Biopic of Amy Winehouse Is Getting Slammed for This 'Baseless & Sensationalist' Scene

The Fifty Shades of Grey director promised that their age gap “never” shows up in their marriage, it’s only a conversation had outside the walls of their home. “I mean, it’s coming up now because you’re asking,” she said to the outlet. “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 believes that there’s plenty of evidence that points to the fact that her relationship with Aaron is quite successful, especially when you compare it to her first marriage to art dealer, Jay Jopling, 60, which only lasted 11 years. “So, if you think of it in that way, then the age gap doesn’t really make any difference,” she explained. She’s quite confident and comfortable with the way her personal life has turned out.

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

Aaron told Rolling Stone UK a similar story last month about why he is unbothered by any outsiders’ opinions. “What you gotta realize is that what most people were doing in their twenties, I was doing when I was 13,” he said. “You’re doing something too quickly for someone else? I don’t understand that. What speed are you supposed to enjoy life at? It’s bizarre to me.”

Sam appreciates that Aaron brings a “sort of stability, calmness” to her life, and that ability to ground her is rare. So, they don’t think much about their age differences, it’s only a hot topic to everyone else.

Before you go, click here to see all the celebrities who are dating or married to older women.

Best of SheKnows

• 29 Celebrity Couples Who Stayed Together After Cheating Scandals

• 36 Times Actresses Totally Transformed For a Role: See Side-by-Side Photos

• 40 Celebrities Who've Had the Most Dramatic Hair Transformations

Sign up for SheKnows' Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.