What Kate Hudson And Jimmy Fallon Teach Us About Mixed Signals

Have you ever been in the "almost dated" zone with someone? It's an interesting place to be in where you're not sure about the other person's feelings and yet, you keep getting signals. And it can remain like that for years--in fact, you may never get an answer.

But Kate Hudson and Jimmy Fallon defied the odds of the "almost dated" curse by getting their closure, 20 years later. And it's a precious moment that teaches us a surprising lesson.

He had no idea she had a crush on him

The funnyman and talented actress met on the set of the movie Almost Famous, back in 2000. They quickly became close friends, and we all know that is the best basis for a relationship.

Back in December 2019, Jimmy actually admitted to Margot Robbie on his show that he could have dated Kate Hudson, but never made a move because he was not sure the feelings were mutual.

Fast forward to April 27th, and his guest is no other than Kate Hudson herself. In quarantine style, Jimmy and Kate had a virtual meeting where things were brought into light when she confronted him about his failure to ask her out.

I was like 'I had no idea.' I wish people could be in my body to watch you and I's relationship and friendship because you gave me no indication.

Kate Hudson on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

Jimmy admitted that he definitely had feelings for her. "I felt a little indication," he confessed. "I thought we were good together. We were good buddies. We hung out all the time."

But what Jimmy never expected was Kate's reply.

Kate had feelings for Jimmy too

Kate dropped a bombshell on Jimmy when she admitted that she would totally have gone out with him, if only he had asked her.

Jimmy, if you would have actually made a move I would have totally gone there.

Kate Hudson

Jimmy was absolutely shocked at her admission. With good reason too. Imagine getting your answer, twenty years later, directly from the woman you had a crush on no less.

So shocked was Jimmy that he replied with, "No you wouldn't have."

Their signals got mixed...big time

The thing is, mixed signals are the bane of our existence when it comes to finding love. They have broken many a heart and will continue to do so. And sometimes, mixed signals make the whole courtship enjoyable--the uncertainty fuels us, keeps us on our toes.

In the case of Kate and Jimmy, mixed signals led to a dead end. Kate didn't think he was interested and so, she gave up.

Yes of course! I remember thinking to myself like, 'Why has Jimmy never made a move?' And then I just kind of realized, 'Oh, he's not into me like that.' I was just like 'Okay, well whatever.' And so, then I met Chris [Robinson].

Kate Hudson

"I was a single girl in New York and life was what it was," Kate said. "If you would've been like, 'Hey,' you know, who knows, our whole life trajectory could have been different, Jimmy."

Alas, the window was closed as Kate met Chris Robinson, frontman of the Black Crowes, whom she married after less than a year of dating. They were not meant to be and got divorced in 2006.

On his side, this was not Jimmy's first romantic missed chance. In fact, it happened in the past, with another A-list celebrity. He could have dated Nicole Kidman!

In an eerily similar context, when Nicole was a guest on his show, she admitted that what Jimmy had mistaken for a casual hangout was an actual date. Instead of talking to her, he spent his time playing video games. And much like Kate, Nicole thought he was not interested.

So after about an hour and a half I thought, 'He has no interest. This is so embarrassing. And I left and went, 'Okay, no chemistry.' And then I was like, 'Maybe he's gay?'

Nicole Kidman on Jimmy Fallon

But as Kate said, it's not dramatic

As the popular and dare we say cliche saying goes, everything happens for a reason. That's something both Kate and Jimmy recognized; their missed opportunity was actually exactly what needed to happen in their lives.

Jimmy went out to meet his wife Nancy Juvonen after meeting on the set of Saturday Night Live, in 2007. Only a few months later, Jimmy popped the question and they have been married ever since.

While Kate's marriage with Chris Robinson was followed by another unsuccessful relationship with Muse frontman Matt Bellamy, she finally met her match in Danny Fujikawa. And their story is quite heartwarming and proves that fate works in mysterious ways.

She had known him for years prior to their first date in 2016. "In terms of family, I've known his family forever," Kate said. "To have that connection is really powerful."

In October 2018, the couple welcomed their first child, whom they named Rani after Danny's father. "Ron was the most special man who we all miss dearly. To name her after him is an honor." The decision really reflects the strong bond Kate has with her boyfriend's family.

It is interesting how love works. Neither Jimmy nor Kate could have anticipated that 20 years later, they would be admitting their old crush on each other. And like many, they could not have foreseen their current blessings in love.

But what they do know, it's that it was meant to go this way.

"Everything turned out perfectly," Jimmy told Kate.

"Exactly the way it was supposed to," she replied.

Missed chances are not the end--but a new beginning

If there is one thing to take away from this, it's that we should not look at the past with regret or bitterness. While yes, life could have looked completely different for Kate and Jimmy, it doesn't necessarily mean that it would have been good.

Sometimes, certain experiences miss us for a reason. At the time, they may have seemed like the only thing we ever wanted. And in retrospect, we might romanticize the whole experience. But the truth is, there is always a reason why things don't happen when you want them to.

The important thing is to be able to look forward to what's next and be open to it. Both Kate and Jimmy did and while they followed different romantic trajectories, they still ended in a good place, with a partner they love. So yes, mixed signals are annoying but they can also be the door to your next blessing.

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