Isla Fisher Reveals Her Hilarious “Dating Ick” After Sacha Baron Cohen Divorce – And What It Says About Modern Attraction - Dating Group

Isla Fisher Reveals Her Hilarious “Dating Ick” After Sacha Baron Cohen Divorce – And What It Says About Modern Attraction

September 3, 2026

Isla Fisher has given the internet a new dating ick to obsess over — and it’s gloriously specific.

Over two years after announcing her split from Sacha Baron Cohen, and following the finalization of their divorce last July, the Now You See Me actress sat down for the Overheard Happy Hour podcast (shared around 30 August 2026) and revealed a recent turn-off that killed a budding crush instantly.

“I have a dating ick that happened recently,” Fisher said. “I liked somebody. His dog ran away and he chased his dog. But instead of chasing upright, he ran low with his hands outstretched — like a cartoon.”

By the time the man caught his dog, the ick had fully taken over. In her own unforgettable words: “The ick was growing and growing and by the time he caught the dog, he had lost the p—y.”

Welcome to the wonderfully honest world of the Isla Fisher dating ick.

What Exactly Is a “Dating Ick”?

An “ick” is that sudden, visceral wave of repulsion that can hit over something relatively small — a way of walking, a laugh, a chewing style, or, in this case, a cartoon-style dog chase. It’s not always logical, but it’s powerful. One minute you’re interested; the next, the attraction has evaporated.

Fisher’s example is peak ick energy: highly specific, slightly absurd, and completely relatable. Most of us have had a version of it.

Isla Fisher’s Other Known Icks

This isn’t her first time being candid about turn-offs. On Australia’s The Smallzy Show earlier in August, she admitted she hates when a man wears a backpack with the front buckle clasped. Her “biggest ick,” she said, is seeing a man’s “repulsive” heel in exposed footwear (think certain sandals or slides).

She also has strong feelings about running form in general. “You know when a man runs on film and it’s just like, it looks like a sprinkler moving,” she explained. “It’s just wrong.” Her gold standard? “Tom Cruise has really nailed the sexy run.”

The woman knows what she likes — and what instantly kills the vibe.

Life After Sacha Baron Cohen

Fisher and Cohen were together for nearly 20 years and share three children. Their separation was announced more than two years ago, with the divorce finalized in July 2025. Since then, Fisher has been refreshingly open about the emotional side of starting over.

In a recent conversation with E! News she said: “I’m much stronger than I thought I was, and I would say that my friendships, my female friendships, have really been instrumental to me discovering or recovering that strength. I’m incredibly grateful.”

That emphasis on female friendship as a source of power and recovery is one of the most grounded things she’s shared. Post-divorce dating can feel vulnerable; strong friendships often become the real safety net.

Why Icks Matter More Than We Admit in 2026

In an era of dating apps, endless options, and carefully curated profiles, icks have become a kind of rapid filtering system. When you have limited emotional bandwidth, a strong ick can feel like useful data: “This small thing bothers me enough that I should pay attention.”

Of course, not every ick is created equal. Some are protective (poor hygiene, rude behaviour toward service staff, inconsistency). Others are more about personal taste or even temporary mood. The cartoon dog-run falls firmly into personal-taste territory — hilarious, harmless, and uniquely Isla.

Healthy dating means knowing the difference between:

A genuine values clash or red flag
A preference or aesthetic ick
Something you might actually get used to if the connection is otherwise strong

Fisher’s willingness to laugh at her own ick is refreshing. It takes the shame out of having very human, sometimes ridiculous, reactions.

Post-Divorce Dating Real Talk

Starting over after a long marriage brings its own challenges:

Re-learning how to date
Balancing kids and new romantic possibilities
Figuring out what you actually want now versus what you wanted at 30
Dealing with the gap between fantasy and real-life humans (who occasionally run after dogs like cartoon characters)

Fisher seems to be navigating it with humour and self-awareness. She’s clear about her turn-offs while also acknowledging the strength she’s found in friendship and independence.

What We Can All Steal from Isla’s Approach

Know your icks — and own them. You don’t have to justify every preference.
Laugh at the absurd ones. Not every turn-off needs to be deep.
Prioritise people who make you feel strong. Her comments about female friendships are a quiet masterclass.
Stay open but discerning. After a long relationship, it’s easy to swing between “I’ll take anyone” and “everyone is terrible.” Somewhere in the middle is usually healthier.
Remember that attraction is weird and specific. One person’s “sexy run” is another person’s sprinkler. That’s okay.

Final Thoughts

The Isla Fisher dating ick story is pure delight — a big movie star admitting that a man running after his dog like a Looney Tunes character was enough to end the romance before it began. It’s funny, human, and oddly reassuring.

In 2026, dating is full of big conversations about values, attachment styles, and long-term compatibility. But sometimes the smallest, silliest things still decide whether the spark lives or dies. Fisher reminded us of that with perfect comic timing.

Whether you’re freshly divorced, newly single, or just navigating the apps, her story is a gentle nudge: pay attention to what genuinely turns you off, laugh at the ridiculous ones, lean on your people, and don’t be afraid to walk away (or run — preferably upright) when something feels wrong.

And if you ever chase a runaway dog, maybe keep your posture in mind. Tom Cruise is watching.

What’s your most random or unhinged dating ick?
Drop it in the comments — the weirder the better. We’ve all got one.

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