Daily Show's John Oliver To Marry Iraq Veteran
"The Daily Show" comedian pops the question to long-time love and Iraq vet Kate Norley.
Lots of things can be considered emasculating for men in relationships: being forced to watch The Notebook, attending Celine Dion concerts, or taking ballroom dance lessons ala Dancing with the Stars. But for The Daily Show correspondent John Oliver, his chosen form was a bit more meaningful. "It's the most emasculating thing I could possibly do to go out with someone who has actually done something valuable with their life," Oliver told People, referring to Kate Norley's time spent in Iraq as an army medic.
It obviously hasn't deterred Oliver too much—now, two years after first meeting at the 2008 Republican National Convention, the twosome is set to walk down the aisle. (Oliver was covering the convention for Jon Stewart, while Norley was there representing the Vets for Freedom organization. A match made in the red states, indeed!) The setting for Oliver's proposal was St. Thomas, where the pair spent a romantic summer tryst in June. The Emmy-winning comedian shared the news last Saturday at Comedy Central's "Night Of Too Many Stars: An Overbooked Concert For Autism Education," saying they never would have moved past the friendship stage had Norley not "seduced" him into a relationship. "I finally made a move," Norley joked back.
With all the media attention surrounding their engagement, public curiosity about Norley's background has certainly been piqued. What we know: like many, Norley was first inspired to join the military on the heels of the September 11th tragedy. Once in Iraq, Norley's responsibilities as a combat medic included counseling soldiers experiencing war-induced mental trauma. Though no longer on active duty, Norley is still passionate about furthering their cause: "We still have troops on the ground. No matter whether there are two or 200,000, we have to make sure our hearts and minds are with what they're doing," she told People.
Though no wedding date is set yet, they're shooting to hold their nuptials sometime in 2011.
Photo via INF.