Jesse Metcalfe Says Dating Someone Outside of the Entertainment Industry Offers ‘Good Balance’ (Exclusive)

Jesse Metcalfe is not desperate to date someone in entertainment!

The Desperate Housewives alum, 45, and his girlfriend, Helene Immel, attended Cirque du Soleil’s KOOZA premiere on Thursday, Oct. 24, and he exclusively told PEOPLE how it feels dating the real estate agent.

“It’s always a good balance for someone in this crazy business to date someone outside of the entertainment industry,” Metcalfe emphasized at the red carpet event in Santa Monica, Calif.

Although Immel has released music under the stage name Lenachka many years ago, she now focuses her work in the real estate industry.

The former Dancing with the Stars contestant and Immel have been dating since 2023. The pair went Instagram official on Metcalfe’s 45th birthday on Dec. 9, when she posted a photo of them together on a hike.

“Here’s to many more hikes with you. Happy Birthday baby @realjessemetcalfe 🤍,” Immel captioned her photo, in which she had her hand and head resting lovingly on his left shoulder.

Since then, the John Tucker Must Die star and his girlfriend have attended several events together, including the Los Angeles Art Show’s opening night party on Valentine’s Day, an NFL game in September and the EMA Awards Gala on Saturday, Oct. 26, among other outings as a couple.

While at the Cirque du Soleil event, Metcalfe said they were “super excited to be here” after the brand invited them. “They’re incredible,” he added.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

He also revealed to PEOPLE he hasn’t watched Desperate Housewives, which ran from 2004 to 2012 for eight seasons on ABC, for a long time.

”It’s been a minute — probably when it aired,” he admitted.

On Desperate Housewives, Metcalfe played gardener John Rowland opposite Eva Longoria’s rich housewife character Gabrielle Solis.

Asked whether he compares his abs from back then to now, the actor said, ”Yeah, I think I’m in better shape now. I sort of had that youthful, kind of thinner physique. I’ve since put on a couple pounds, but in a good way.”

Metcalfe also explained that staying fit keeps him mentally strong.

“The most important thing about [working out] for me is that it just kind of keeps my mind right,” he said. “On the days when I have a busy morning and I don’t get to the gym till the afternoon, I can feel that.

The star added, “It’s a stress reliever, and it’s always been an anchor for me, you know, since I started working out when I was 14 or 15.”