Celebrity Dating Secrets From Hollywood’s A-Listers: Contacting ‘Exes’ to ‘Full-On Background Checks’

Kelly Clarkson: Up For Anything

The daytime talker is game when it comes to romance. “Kelly’s big dating secret is just openness,” says an insider. “Want to get coffee? She’s down! A movie? Down! Street tacos at midnight? Down!”

Since Kelly, 42, has finally put her bitter 2022 divorce from Brandon Blackstock behind her, she’s just excited to meet people and try new things. “Saying yes has become her superpower. She feels really comfortable in her skin and carries that confidence into relationships.”

Reese Witherspoon: No Rushing In

After her 2023 divorce from Jim Toth, the Legally Blonde star isn’t giving up on love — but she is being extra cautious. “Reese’s big thing is full-on background checks,” says a source. “She doesn’t want any surprises and will never rush into a relationship again.” Reese, 48, has been open with pals about wanting to get married again, and she’s dating two guys right now. “She likes them both, but is keeping it low-key. She’s trying to make smarter choices and is taking time to get to know them on a deeper level. She wants to be 100 percent sure before committing.”

Shakira: Ex Inquisition

Exes don’t lie! The Grammy winner has a unique strategy for vetting potential partners.

“She talks to the guy’s exes,” spills an insider. “Shakira says it’s the best way to find out if he’s a good man.” After her 2022 split with longtime love Gerard Piqué, Shakira, 47, isn’t messing around. “If a guy’s ex-girlfriend or, even better, ex-wife, gives her any indication there are red flags, she walks away. It’s unconventional, but Shakira refuses to be burned in the romance department ever again.”

Jennifer Aniston: Quickie Connection

Busy Jen won’t waste a whole night on a maybe. “She meets potential paramours for what she calls a ‘quick chemistry test’ at a mall or coffee shop, just to see if they click,” says an insider. “It’s like taking a short test drive.” The twice-divorced Morning Show star, 55, can see if they have a spark, with the added benefit of finding out how the dude treats her in public. Says the source: “She’s looking for Mr. Right and not giving up.”

Kim Kardashian: Hanging at Hers

For most people, a good date might end with an invite home, but the Skims founder starts her dates there. “She’ll invite a guy to her house after the kids are asleep, and they’ll just hang out for hours,” says an insider. “She’s most comfortable in her own space and can really be herself.”

Kim, 43, is also big on surprising suitors with presents. “She learned from the best gift giver — her mom! If Kim meets a cute guy at a party, she’ll send him a little token or something related to what they talked about with just an ‘XX Kim’ on the card.”