Comedian Chelsea Handler considers herself fortunate that her pursuit of former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo didn't progress. Handler's upcoming memoir, "I'll Have What She's Having," details her infatuation with Cuomo during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, fueled by his daily briefings. She publicly expressed her admiration for him at the time, and the book reveals that their interactions evolved into flirtatious text exchanges, culminating in Cuomo agreeing to a date before abruptly ceasing contact.

In a recent interview, Handler stated that she "dodged a bullet" with Cuomo's ghosting, referencing the sexual harassment allegations that led to his resignation in 2021. Cuomo has denied these allegations.

Handler's 2020 pronouncements of her Cuomo crush included social media posts, a "love letter" in Vogue titled "Dear Andrew Cuomo, I Want To Be Your First Lady," and remarks during her HBO special "Evolution." On an October 2020 appearance on "The View," she vividly described her attraction to Cuomo, using metaphors like the "Incredible Hulk" and expressing her desire to "flatten his curve."

During the same "View" appearance, Handler revealed that Cuomo had agreed to a date but never followed up. She requested the hosts to inquire about this during Cuomo's scheduled appearance later that week. Cuomo responded to Handler's public overtures with a lighthearted comment, suggesting they could date if she became a New York resident.

Handler's memoir recounts Cuomo calling her from an unknown number three days after her "View" appearance, leaving a long voicemail. Anticipating a rendezvous during an upcoming trip to New York, Handler was disappointed when Cuomo stopped responding to her texts upon her arrival. She admits to sending him further photos, including topless images, but ultimately believes her forward approach was detrimental to her pursuit.

In retrospect, Handler reflects that Cuomo might have preferred "touching women who weren’t interested in him."