Amanda Kloots Talks Dealing With Criticism For Dating After Husband's Death

Amanda Kloots is opening up about life after losing her husband, Nick Cordero.

Just a month after she admitted that she has "gone on lots of dates" with some "wonderful, nice people," the fitness instructor has detailed the criticism trailing her choices. Fans would recall that her late husband had contracted COVID-19 after the family — including their son Elvis Eduardo, moved to Los Angeles. A sad reality followed as Cordero passed away due to complications in July 2020.

For the last two years, Kloots has been putting on a brave face for the public while raising a three-year-old child by herself. Although the 40-year-old has managed to avoid getting romantically involved with anybody during this period, her recent decision to change that came at a price. 

The "Fit for Christmas" actress opened up about the price she has had to pay since she began dating again during a conversation with Cheryl Burke. The pair had kicked things off by discussing Kloots' constant social media updates regarding Cordero's progress during and after his final days.

After listening to Kloots detail how helpful the action was, the "Dancing with the Stars" alum asked how her "Diving Deep" guest was dealing with the transition into dating. In response, Kloots said:

"It took me a while to feel okay, and I put my toe in the water, and the first couple of dates I went on were with other widowers. So, that helped immediately to break down the discomfort of 'I'm coming in with a lot of emotional baggage.' You don't have to explain yourself."

The television personality added that her first divorce and Cordero's death had reduced her patience for small talk, and she preferred for people to "get down and dirty [and] talk about life experiences." Kloots then revealed:

"You know the criticism that came from 'Amanda Kloots is dating not even a year after Nick has died'? Well, I nipped it in the bud, and I was like, 'absolutely not.'"

To that end, she began hosting live — and honest — interviews with other widows on Instagram, thus putting "a face to what people were calling a horrible thing."

In addition to its thousands of views on YouTube, Burke brought the conversation to her 700k+ followers in an Instagram post with behind-the-scenes pictures of herself and Kloots. The pro dancer partially wrote:

"We dive deep as Amanda gets real and honest about what she actually thinks of the haters on social media and why facing your fears is the only way to go…."

One person quickly admitted, "This "DivingDeep" conversation was incredible. Enlightening and so inspirational. It's so refreshing to hear people talk so open [sic] and honestly because that is what helps so many of us out here."

After congratulating Burke on the commencement of her new show, one agreed that "there's no timetable for grief, and I'm learning that with my mother's passing about a year and a half ago. The 2nd round of holidays were even worse than the first."

"It's not anyone's flipping business when you start dating after you lose a spouse. I would have just said some very mean words to those ppl," a third viewer admonished. Several others commended Burke on how she set up the interview and wished her luck in the subsequent episodes.

The Blast recently recorded that Burke used an Instagram post to explain how she birthed the idea for "Diving Deep." Along with clips and photos of herself, including a mirror selfie of her in a mustard suit, gold heels, and subtle makeup, she penned:

"I am absolutely overwhelmed with the amount of love and excitement about Diving Deep. It means the world to me!" 

The model disclosed that the show began during the COVID-19-inspired lockdown when she was on the prowl for a suitable hobby. Her search led her to diamond painting, which she highlighted, "the competitive ballroom dancer in me saw that rhinestones were involved, and it was love at first sight."

Once she discovered the therapeutic value, she started involving her friends via Instagram live and named it "All That Glitters." She also realized that the process was more about healing than finishing the entire painting, "For once in my life, it isn't about the end goal, it is about the present time, the here and now."

The 38-year-old's high hopes for the new venture have begun manifesting with its first episode with Kloots.