Hollywood love trend: "Instamacy": celeb relationships evolve fast. They meet and have a kid in the time it takes most people to reach date three. Why the rush?(COSMO NEWS)

Did someone hit fast-forward on celebrity love affairs? It seems that lately, the majority of new star unions in Hollywood go something like this: "Hi, it's really nice to meet you. Actually, I think you're cute. Let's get engaged and make babies!" Think about it: Brad Pitt only officially ended his marriage to Jennifer Aniston late last year, and he's already starting a family with Angelina Jolie (and has added his last name to her two adopted kids'). Meanwhile, Jen's moved on to Vince Vaughn. Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes must have conceived their first child on their first date. And Tori Spelling got married, separated, and then engaged (to someone new!), all in the space of 18 months. What's up with that?

"The time lines for these A-list unions aren't like those of normal couples'," explains Barton Goldsmith, PhD, author of Emotional Fitness for Couples. As for why celebs crave "instamacy" (getting superclose superfast), the reasons vary. "One factor is that people with fame and wealth are used to instant gratification. They don't like to wait for anything, and that's compounded by the fact that they're accustomed to living life on a grand scale, so why should their relationships be any different?" says Goldsmith. Plus, the truth is, their lives happen at an accelerated pace. "Many celebs deal with grown-up issues as teenagers," explains Goldsmith. "And as a result of their fast ascent to fame and the whirlwind their life becomes, there's a sense of urgency in everything they do."

Of course, this speed-dating phenomenon isn't restricted to the red carpet. Yes, it's less common outside Tinseltown, but everyone has a friend who is similarly guilty of hasty lovin'. However, they are spurred on by factors that differ from those motivating like-minded stars. "It's very easy to get caught up in the intensity of a new romance," explains John Valentis, PhD, coauthor of Romantic Intelligence. "And if someone is needy or impulsive, they'll rush into a commitment because ...