Four years after a blind date during COVID’s isolation, Ricki Lake and Ross Burningham aren’t just celebrating an anniversary—they’re rewriting what love looks like in your 50s. From losing their Malibu home in wildfires to impulsively relocating to NYC, their story is less about fairy tales and more about reinvention, grit, and choosing joy amid chaos. Here’s why their relationship is the rare Hollywood love story that actually resonates.
The Unlikely Spark: A Blind Date at 50+
In 2020, as the world grappled with COVID-19’s isolation, Ricki Lake and Ross Burningham—both in their 50s—went on a blind date. It wasn’t just unlikely; by Lake’s own admission, their paths “should never have crossed”. Yet, four years later, their anniversary post isn’t just a celebration—it’s a defiant declaration that love doesn’t expire with age.
Lake’s Instagram caption cuts to the heart of their origin story: “Found each other when we least expected it, during the darkest days of Covid”. The subtext? Their relationship was forged in a time when connection felt impossible, making their bond feel like a quiet rebellion against loneliness. The shoutout to “Gem” (likely their matchmaker) hints at the serendipity—US Weekly notes Lake’s history of high-profile marriages (to illustrator Rob Sussman and jewelry designer Christian Evans), but Burningham represents something different: a partnership built on shared survival.
From Wildfires to NYC: A Love Tested by Disaster
Their love story took a dramatic turn in January 2025 when the Los Angeles wildfires destroyed their Malibu home. Lake’s raw Instagram videos documented the horror—“6:55 pm: Do we stay or do we go?”—culminating in their 8:02 pm escape. The loss wasn’t just material; as she told People, it was “traumatizing”, stripping away decades of memories, including irreplaceable photos of her sons’ births.
Yet, their anniversary post frames this catastrophe as a pivot point. Lake writes:
“This year has rocked our world like no other and yet, through our committed partnership and bond we have managed to rise from the ashes, quite literally.”
The phrase “rise from the ashes” isn’t hyperbole. Within months, they relocated to New York City—a move Lake calls “the best thing we could have done”. Their NYC reinvention mirrors their relationship: bold, impulsive, and defiantly optimistic.
The “Committed Partnership” That Redefines Midlife Love
Lake’s anniversary message isn’t about grand romantic gestures. It’s about the mundane magic of daily commitment:
- “So grateful for each and every day we share together.” (A nod to consistency over fireworks.)
- “Thx for saying yes on that day 4 years ago and every day thereafter.” (Emphasizing repeated choice, not fate.)
- “2026 is gonna be good.” (Forward-looking hope, not nostalgia.)
This language reflects a shift in how celebrities—especially women over 50—frame relationships. Unlike the “happily ever after” tropes of her 1990s talk-show era, Lake’s story is about adaptability. As she told People, their NYC move was “wild” and “impulsive”, but also “the best thing” for them. It’s a love story where the plot twist isn’t a proposal—it’s a shared lease in a new city.
Why This Love Story Matters More Than the Tabloids
Lake and Burningham’s relationship stands out in Hollywood for three reasons:
- It’s unapologetically midlife. In an industry obsessed with youth, their love began at 50+, with Lake calling out the “darkest days” of COVID—a time when many felt invisible. Their visibility challenges the myth that romance peaks in your 20s.
- Disaster didn’t break them. Most celebrity couples would’ve spun the wildfire loss into a PR nightmare. Instead, they turned it into a “next chapter”, with Lake’s Instagram serving as a real-time diary of grief and resilience.
- They’re rewriting “home.” From Malibu’s ashes to NYC’s chaos, their relationship isn’t tied to a place. As Lake put it: “I am here with an open mind and heart for what is coming next.”
The Fan Perspective: A Love Story for the “Messy” Years
Fans have latched onto Lake and Burningham because their story feels authentic in an era of curated celebrity relationships. Comments on her anniversary post reveal why:
- “This is what love looks like after 50—messy, real, and still full of surprises.”
- “You two give me hope that it’s never too late to start over.”
- “NYC after Malibu? That’s not just a move—that’s a whole vibe shift. Here for it.”
Their appeal lies in the lack of performativity. No staged red-carpet PDAs, no cryptic social media feuds—just a woman who lost her home and found a way to laugh in a new city with her partner.
What’s Next: A 2026 Chapter Built on Reinvention
Lake’s closing line—“2026 is gonna be good”—hints at projects beyond their personal life. Given her history as a talk-show pioneer and advocate (she’s spoken openly about hair loss and mental health), fans speculate about:
- A potential podcast or series about midlife reinvention (NYC is ripe for content).
- Collaborations with wildfire relief orgs—Lake’s firsthand experience could amplify advocacy.
- A tell-all memoir framing love and loss after 50 (her 2011 documentary Ricki Lake: The Business of Being Born proves she’s not afraid of raw storytelling).
Burningham, a lower-profile figure, may step into the spotlight as her “plus-one with a purpose”—think Rob McElhenney to Kaitlin Olson’s career renaissance.
Ricki Lake and Ross Burningham’s love story isn’t just enduring—it’s evolving in real time. In a culture that often reduces celebrity relationships to headlines, theirs is a reminder that the most compelling stories aren’t about perfection, but about showing up, pivoting, and choosing joy even when life burns your house down. Literally.
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