BY NICOLE CORD-CRUZ

Rumors keep swirling that Sam and Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s marriage may not last. My feature in Nicki Swift reveals the crucial missing information that no one’s talking about (and should) in this age-gap relationship.

Their age gap isn’t an issue — it’s the possible power imbalance

To get a better grip on Aaron and Sam Taylor-Johnson’s marriage — and whether or not they can truly stand the test of time — Nicki Swift consulted Susan Winter, relationship expert and bestselling author of “Breakup Triage: The Cure for Heartache.” Turns out, the whole “age is just a number” mantra they’ve been preaching isn’t the issue at all. According to Winter, the real challenge isn’t their age gap but the power dynamics in their relationship.

“The issue at hand is one of power, not age. Whenever a couple experiences one partner’s dramatic rise in power, it throws off the established balance. This happens in a good number of relationships,” she explained in an exclusive interview. “Younger men are attracted to their older partner’s power. It’s part of the package they find so compelling; power, success, confidence, and a no games approach to love.”

But as Winter pointed out, power is a tricky thing, and when it starts to falter, that’s when the trouble begins. If a couple’s foundation isn’t rooted in genuine love, things can go south fast, eventually leading to divorce. “If the older woman’s other estimable attributes remain intact, the partnership continues as before. If her success, confidence, and power wane, it challenges the relationship,” she added. “The enduring cohesive factor must be Love; a love that transcends the ups and downs within the relationship’s fluctuating dynamics.”

Contrary to what everyone thinks, they weren’t ‘doomed’ from the get-go

According to Winter, their marriage wasn’t built on a fragile foundation — it’s actually quite the opposite. Winter describes it as being “forged in fire” and made even stronger by the relentless criticism they’ve faced.

“This has not been an ‘easy’ relationship. It’s been controversial from the beginning. Due to society’s inherent double standard and ageism, this couple had to fight criticism from the start,” Winter continued, noting that the fact that they had managed to drown out the noise is nothing short of impressive and is a testament to their dedication in keeping their marriage intact. “Do you know how hard it is to maintain a healthy relationship when the entire world is judging your love? These are two incredibly strong individuals. They live by their own code and ignore society’s shortsightedness and shallow assertions.”

But with practically everyone and their mother thirsting after Aaron these days, the real test might be for him to keep temptations at bay and stick with the marriage. “Aaron’s desirability factor is off the charts. Between his meteoric rise over the last few years and his chiseled physique — there will be many temptations coming his way,” said Winter. “Now it’s a question of what he wants, as the choices before him are staggering.”

They may stand the test of time if they don’t let public perception affect them

“When an older woman partners with a younger man, some element of the public will always be judgmental. Remember, humans hate what they can’t understand. The first impulse is to destroy anything that looks ‘different.’ We have centuries of this with same-sex and interracial couples who’ve also had to fight for their love,” Winter explained to Nicki Swift. “Society evolves far more slowly than the individual.”

What’s more, Winter noted that if Aaron’s fans are truly rooting for him, maybe they should consider being supportive of his actual life choices —including his marriage, even if it’s to someone who doesn’t fit their idea of Aaron’s ideal partner. “I’ve read numerous articles that claim a large proportion of Aaron’s fanbase disapprove of his relationship. This baffles me. How can one claim to be a fan, yet not support his romantic choices?” Winter said. “Let’s say their relationship ends. Would it be fair to say that it failed? These two individuals withstood 16 years of external criticism, and yet, they remained together. That’s success.”

Get the breakdown of Sam and Aaron’s relationship in the full article on Nicki Swift, “Signs Sam And Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s Marriage May Not Last.”