Gypsy-Rose Blanchard Isn't Rushing into Marriage with 'Wonderful Boyfriend': 'I've Got to Get Divorced First' (Exclusive)

Gypsy-Rose Blanchard was spotted with her ex-fiancé Ken Urker shortly after she announced her separation from husband Ryan Scott Anderson on March 28

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Corin Cesaric
Corin Cesaric
Corin Cesaric
Corin Cesaric is an Associate Editor at PEOPLE. They have been working at PEOPLE for one year.
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Janine Rubenstein
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Janine Rubenstein

Janine Rubenstein is Editor-at-Large at PEOPLE and host of PEOPLE Every Day podcast, a daily dose of breaking news, pop culture and heartwarming human interest stories. Formerly Senior Editor of music content, she's also covered crime, human interest and television news throughout her many years with the brand. Prior to PEOPLE she's written for Essence, The Cape Times newspaper and Los Angeles Magazine among others. On-screen Rubenstein can be found featured on shows like Good Morning America and Entertainment Tonight and she routinely hosts PEOPLE and Entertainment Weekly's star-studded Red Carpet Live specials. Follow the San Francisco native, Black Barbie collector and proud mom of two on Instagram and Twitter @janinerube

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Published on May 2, 2024 12:12PM EDT
Gypsy Rose Blanchard attends "An Evening with Lifetime: Conversations On Controversies" FYC event
Gypsy-Rose Blanchard. Photo:

JC Olivera/WireImage

Gypsy-Rose Blanchard is feeling confident and comfortable in her own skin a month after separating from her husband.

On May 1, PEOPLE caught up with Blanchard, 32, at Lifetime's Television Academy For Your Consideration event in Los Angeles.

"I'm just enjoying my time traveling," Blanchard, who resides in Louisiana, tells PEOPLE. "I don't get to travel very often because I am on parole, so I have to get permission from my [parole officer] to travel, so I'm just enjoying tonight."

With newly minted blonde hair and dressed in a red blazer, Blanchard said she has been having a great time experiencing new firsts in her life, such as going to the beach, shopping at Sephora and attending a New Orleans jazz festival in late April with her dad, stepmom and her "wonderful boyfriend" Ken Urker, who Blanchard was once engaged to.

*EXCLUSIVE* - Gypsy Rose Blanchard lands in Los Angeles for a brief visit this week, promoting season 2 of "Gypsy Rose: Life After Lockup".
Gypsy-Rose Blanchard.

BACKGRID

Blanchard was spotted with Urker shortly after she announced her separation from her husband Ryan Scott Anderson, a Louisiana special education teacher, on March 28. After Blanchard's December 2023 prison release, Blanchard and Anderson were living together for roughly three months before they separated.

Gypsy Rose And Ex-fiance Ken Urker; Ryan Anderson
Ken Urker and Gypsy-Rose Blanchard are seen holding hands, left, and Ryan Anderson.

Mega / SplashNews;  Jamie McCarthy/Getty

In regards to the physical changes Blanchard has recently underwent — including rhinoplasty — she told PEOPLE they're all a part of her ongoing evolution.

"I had been wanting to go through a physical transformation to separate myself from the old Gypsy," Blanchard said, "I felt like, you know, going into prison, growing my hair out, that was me evolving into my own back then, but then coming out of prison was another evolving moment for me. So I think that right now I'm very comfortable in the way I look, and I'm proud and I have confidence now."

Gypsy Rose Blanchard attends "An Evening with Lifetime: Conversations On Controversies" FYC event
Gypsy-Rose Blanchard.

Steve Granitz/FilmMagic

Blanchard — who was a victim of Munchausen by proxy — pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in 2016 for conspiring to murder Dee Dee with her then-boyfriend, Nicholas Godejohn.

Gypsy-Rose Blanchard Is Back Together with Her Ex-Fiancé Ken Urker: Report

When asked about marrying Urker, she confirmed the pair are not rushing into marriage. "I've got to get divorced first," Blanchard said with a laugh.