Howie Mandel‘s “glove” handshake with OnlyFans creator Sophie Rain has taken the internet by storm. The moment came when the America’s Got Talent judge put on a latex glove before shaking her hand.
Howie Mandel and Sophie Rain’s handshake goes viral
A handshake between Howie Mandel and Sophie Rain is making rounds online. The clip shows Mandel greeting her with a latex glove instead of skin to skin contact.
An Instagram post by Complex shows exactly how far Howie Mandel will go to keep things sanitary. Known for years for his severe germaphobia and OCD, Mandel did not merely slip on gloves for Sophie Rain. He stood behind a sheet of plexiglass, too, then reached around it with a gloved hand for the handshake.
Rain played along perfectly, leaning in with a laugh and giving him a high-five instead. The clip spread quickly because it blended humor with insight. Mandel protected his boundaries, Rain matched his energy, and neither made it awkward.
Their interaction earned mixed reactions online, with one fan writing, “This is next level.” “He has OCD but I doubt it’s this bad. This has to be a joke they pulled,” reasoned another. “What the h**l did I just watch?” echoed an Instagram user. “Real AF… I would too!! Lmaoooo.” read supportive comment.
Howie Mandel’s well-known germophobia is rooted in his lifelong struggle with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. That impact shows up most in how he greets people. Mandel famously avoids handshakes, so he’ll swap in fist bumps, salutes, or just a wave during meet-and-greets and interviews. Mandel has shared that his fear of germs can be so overwhelming that there are moments he can’t even touch his own wife.
Howie Mandel has been candid about managing his OCD through long-term therapy and medication, and he has used his platform to push mental health conversations forward. In 2009, he put it all on the page with his bestselling memoir, “Here’s the Deal: Don’t Touch Me“, where he chronicled the daily reality of living with intrusive thoughts and contamination fears.
