Shocking Celebrity Breakups No One Saw Coming

Celebrity breakups are in the headlines of magazines every other day. Even if you’re not a gossipy person, you can’t miss the massive drama that ensues from some of them!

From the high-profile divorces that made us gasp to the Hollywood splits that made the fans cry, here are the most shocking celebrity breakups the world remembers to this day.

Jon Hamm & Jennifer Westfeldt

(1997-2015)

They confirmed their breakup in September 2015 with a joint statement, saying, “With great sadness, we have decided to separate, after 18 years of love and shared history. We will continue to be supportive of each other in every way possible moving forward.”

Since the two began dating in 1997 and seemed perfectly content with never getting married, we thought they’d last forever.

Rachel McAdams & Ryan Gosling

(2004-2008)

The couple stole America’s hearts playing a couple in The Notebook, so you might be surprised to hear they hated each other when they met on the set of the film. They didn’t get along, but things apparently changed quickly, as the two began dating shortly after the film wrapped in 2004.

But they broke up in 2007 because they got into an epic fight, Gosling said. They briefly rekindled their flame in 2008, but split again for good.

Miranda Kerr & Orlando Bloom

(2010-2013)

This was a couple we thought would weather all storms! In October 2013 they shared that they had separated after three years of marriage. They couldn’t have been more adorable with their son, Flynn, and it doesn’t look like those sweet photos ops will have to end.

When a reporter asked Orlando if he was still friends with his ex, he said, “We’re not friends — we’re family.” Aw!

Heidi Klum & Seal

(2005-2012)

It was a huge surprise when Heidi and Seal’s separation made headlines in 2012; after all, they had been renewing their vows yearly since their 2005 wedding.

It didn’t help that they frequently gushed about each other in interviews.

Maria Shriver & Arnold Schwarzenegger

(1986-2017)

This high-profile couple had four children and 25 years of marriage under their belt when news of their split was released in 2011.

If that wasn’t shocking enough, news of Arnold’s love child and affair with the family’s housekeeper followed.

Blake Shelton & Miranda Lambert

(2011-2015)

When country music’s golden couple announced their plans to divorce in July 2015, many of their fans believed the news would blow over.

But when the split was finalized just days later, the reality of their broken romance became all too real.

Jennifer Lopez & Marc Anthony

(2004-2012)

In July 2011, Lopez and Anthony released a statement saying, “We have decided to end our marriage. This was a very difficult decision. We have come to an amicable conclusion on all matters.”

The news came as a shock to many, especially those who had watched them give a sexy performance together on American Idol just months earlier.

Katie Holmes & Tom Cruise

(2006-2012)

Talk about the shock of the year! Katie and Tom’s divorce announcement came out of left field in June 2012, when Tom’s rep shared that “Kate has filed for divorce.”

The couple were married for more than five years and have daughter Suri together.

Amy Poehler & Will Arnett

(2003-2016)

We thought this funny couple would last forever, but there was nothing to laugh about when they announced their split in September 2012.

They were together for nine years and have two children.

Chris Pratt & Anna Faris

(2009-2018)

Hearts broke around the world when the funny couple announced their separation in August 2017. “We tried hard for a long time, and we’re really disappointed,” the parents of son Jack said in a statement.

“We still have love for each other and will always cherish our time together.”

Alec Baldwin & Kim Basinger

(1993-2002)

Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger were married for almost 10 years, had one child together, Ireland Baldwin, and a messy divorce. They met in 1990 and got married in August 1993. In 2001, Basinger filed for divorce.

In a “public” and “nasty” breakup, the two actors fought for joint custody of Ireland.

Marilyn Monroe & Joe DiMaggio

(1954-1955)

Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio were a power couple during the ’50s. Monroe was a well-known model and actress, while DiMaggio was a popular baseball star. Monroe and DiMaggio met in 1952 and tied the knot in January 1954― but their marriage was short.

Less than a year later, the couple officially divorced.

Channing Tatum & Jenna Dewan Tatum

(2009-2018)

The duo met on the set of the 2006 movie Step Up, got engaged in September 2008, and tied the knot in July 2009. They also welcomed their daughter, Everly in 2013.

Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan were together for more than 10 years, so when the news of their split was revealed in April 2018, it was devastating.

Courteney Cox & David Arquette

(1999-2011)

The double threat met on the set of the 1996 movie Scream, and got married in June 1999.

In 2010, they released a joint statement revealing that they were separating.

Gwen Stefani & Gavin Rossdale

(2002-2015)

The musical couple said “I do” in 2002 and in addition to Gwen’s numerous quotes about their strong union, they also had countless sweet moments together both on and off red carpets.

After 13 years of marriage and three sons, they announced their split in August 2015 after Gavin was rumored to have had an affair with the family nanny.

Demi Lovato & Wilmer Valderrama

(2010-2016)

Demi Lovato and Wilmer Valderrama kicked off their romance in 2010 when they met at a Voto Latino public service announcement to encourage voting.

But the couple’s romance ended in 2016 after nearly six years together in a shared post to both of their Instagrams.

Kourtney Kardashian & Scott Disick

(2006-2016)

The pair met in 2006 through mutual friends and began dating, but the public was introduced to them in 2008 on the popular reality show Keeping Up with the Kardashians. He was accused of cheating on Kourtney several times on the show.

Despite their fighting, many were rooting for them since they were so public with their romance and Kourtney stuck by him through his parents’ deaths and addiction issues. The pair split in 2015 but are often seen out together with their children.

Fergie & Josh Duhamel

(2009-2017)

Fergie and Josh Duhamel splitting after eight years of marriage was one of the most shocking and devastating breakups that occurred in 2017.

The couple confirmed the separation in September 2017. Fergie revealed that they actually broke up months before news spread, but they were waiting for the right time to announce it publicly.

Jessica Simpson & Nick Lachey

(1998/2002-2005)

Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson met at the Hollywood Christmas Parade in 1998, dated, broke up, reunited, and got married in October 2002. In 2003, Lachey and Simpson paved the way for future celebrity couples by having their own reality TV show that documented their relationship, titled Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica.

It was one of the firsts of its kind, but they announced their split in November 2005.

Tom Cruise & Nicole Kidman

(1989-2001)

They met in 1989 and got married in December 1990. While married from 1990 to 2001, the couple adopted two children, Connor and Isabella.

Many people think that Cruise’s role in Scientology contributed to their surprising divorce.

Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt

(2004 – 2016)

After a relationship of 12 years, the power couple behind Mr. and Mrs. Smith decided to call it a day and file for divorce after two years of marriage.

According to Angelina Jolie, their decision to split was because of differences in the parenting style of their six children. She opened up about the matter to BBC World News saying: “I don’t want to say very much about that, except to say it was a very difficult time and we are a family and we will always be a family, and we will get through this time and hopefully be a stronger family for it.”

Emma Stone & Andrew Garfield

(2012 – 2015)

Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield know the art of the breakup. They ended their 3-year relationship in a friendly, respectful and drama-free fashion.

Both of them expressed their admiration for one another on multiple occasions, like when Garfield confessed to Vanity Fair: “I’ll speak for myself: You know, I’m her biggest fan as an artist. […] And it’s also been wonderful to have that kind of support for each other. It’s nothing but a beautiful thing.”

Liam Hemsworth & Miley Cyrus

(2010 – 2013)

Liam Hemsworth and Miley Cyrus’ breakup came in like a wrecking ball to fans in 2013 after they had met on the set of The Last Song. 

Their love life was a bumpy ride and a roller coaster of emotions for the fans. The good news is that they took it as an opportunity to get to know themselves better, according to an interview with Howard Stern. She wisely states, “I think people that break up and get back together, that’s awesome. You get time to be yourself. You get time to grow up. I think if you’re growing up attached to another person, you never really get solid as your own being.”

 They are today happily engaged, and we are looking forward to more of their cute Instagram pics together!

Vanessa Hudgens & Zac Efron

(2007 – 2012)

Fans shipped the two High School Musical stars, and the universe delivered, but, unfortunately, their off-screen romance didn’t last more than five years. Hudgens opened up to The New York Times, saying that it wasn’t easy dating Efron.

She claimed the male leading actor was receiving too much attention from female fans, which put a stain on their relationship.

Selena Gomez & Justin Bieber

(2011 – 2018)

Selena and Justin’s on-off relationship saga was something we remember vividly, for how much they dissed each other on their off periods. Jelena enthusiasts were scrutinizing every tweet, every Instagram like, and every paparazzi snap to make up theories about whether the duo was a couple or not.

It seems like they called it quits once and for all in March 2018. We’ll wait and see.

Ashton Kutcher & Demi Moore

(2005 – 2013)

Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore defied the naysayers when they first got together. Their marriage lasted six  years, but it was with great sadness that the actress announced to ABC News:

“As a woman, a mother and a wife, there are certain values and vows that I hold sacred, and it is in this spirit that I have chosen to move forward with my life.”

Brad Pitt & Jennifer Aniston

(1998 – 2005 )

Brad and Jennifer’s romance goes back to 1998 when their agents set them up. A true Hollywood fairytale, right? Their relationship timeline, unlike other couple stars, is somehow easy to follow. They get engaged in their first year, happily tie the knot on the second, but call it quits in the seventh year.

Angelina Jolie came into the picture, and, sadly, some fans could sense where that was going …

Bruce Jenner & Kris Kardashian

(1991 – 2013)

Twenty-two years of marriage, that’s how long Bruce Jenner and Kris Kardashian were married. Wow – in Hollywood, that’s a long haul.

However, fans say that it was pretty predictable only judging from the Keeping Up with the Kardashians‘ reality show. The former Olympian and the “momager” started having different ambitions when the reality show became a hit, which pushed them to release a joint statement in 2013 announcing their divorce and explaining the situation.

(1981 – 1996)

Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s relationship was more than a simple celebrity romance, it was a political and national affair. Five years into the marriage, things started to get complicated. Their incompatibility and age difference of almost 13 years began to show, and rumors of extramarital affairs on both sides didn’t help.

Despite the Queen’s and the Duke of Edinburgh’s mediation attempt, the marriage eventually ended.

Chris Brown & Rihanna

(2008 – 2009)

No one can forget the tumultuous relationship between the two young pop stars. The couple many cheered for devolved into a huge physical assault case with allegations that many couldn’t believe were possible from R&B singer Brown.

Amen!

Elizabeth Taylor & Richard Burton

(1964 – 1974 / 1975 – 1976)

This one goes waaay back, but we’re still talking about it today. Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton met on the set of the famous Cleopatra film when they were both already married to other people. They decided to wed a year later, but their turbulent relationship kept them at the center of attention of newspapers. They divorced 10 years later, remarried one year after, and broke it off once and for all the following year. Are you still following?

No wonder the romance movie inspired by their roller coaster relationship starred Lindsay Lohan and Grant Bowler themselves. It aired in 2012 and was named: Liz and Dick.

Jennifer Lopez & Ben Affleck

(2002 – 2005)

Supercouple Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck (never call them Bennifer, she hates it!) got engaged in 2002 after their criticized film, Gigli. However, three years later, Ben Affleck was soon married to another Jennifer: Jennifer Garner.

The singer/actress confesses how heartbroken she was in her first memoir True Love: “It felt like my heart had been torn out of my chest.”

Robert Downey Jr. & Sarah Jessica Parker

(1984 – 1991)

The relationship between the two heavyweight Hollywood stars didn’t end on good terms, to say the least. The Sex and The City star ended the relationship in 1991, as it had become corrupted by Downey’s drug addiction.

The Iron Man star, however, got closure on his celebrity breakup when he decided to pay Sarah a visit in 2015. He shares: “I got to meet her kids and I saw the way she and Matthew [Broderick] live, and I respect both of them so much.”

Gwyneth Paltrow & Chris Martin

(2003 – 2016)

If there is a celebrity breakup we could all learn from, it would be the one between Paltrow and Martin. Don’t get us wrong, it was still “incredibly painful,” as the actress confessed in 2016.

However, she and the Coldplay singer dealt with the matter with extreme compassion and empathy, saying they were “consciously uncoupling” on 2014. Kudos to them!

Channing Tatum & Jenna Dewan

(2009 – 2018)

Honestly, this is one of the breakups fans are still not over yet. The couple decided to split after nine years of marriage.

They released a joint statement this April and shared the following message on their social media accounts: “We have lovingly chosen to separate as a couple. We fell deeply in love so many years ago and have had a magical journey together. Absolutely nothing has changed about how much we love one another, but love is a beautiful adventure that is taking us on different paths for now.” So mature, yet so sad.

Gigi Hadid & Zayn Malik

(2016 – 2018)

Here’s another 2018 shock in the world of Hollywood celebrity breakups.

Both the model and the former One Direction singer announced the split on Twitter, and fans were not pleased with the news. It is all still too fresh to make any speculation about a potential makeup, but we’re hopeful. Fingers crossed!

Ric Ocasek & Paulina Porizkova

(1989 – 2018)

When The Cars’ former frontman and the model-actress-author decided to call it quits on their marriage, you had to believe there might be a lot of metaphors using … cars.

After 28 years of marriage, Porizkova shared on Instagram: “Our family always has been — and still is — a well-built car. […] When the four of us are together, we can go wherever the road takes us. But as a bicycle, my husband and I no longer pedal in unison. So we’re ditching the bicycle.”

See why she’s an author?

Justin Theroux & Jennifer Aniston

(2011 – 2018)

After a relationship that lasted seven  years, two in which they were married, Aniston and Theroux decided to call it quits in a joint statement where they explained that they are “two best friends who have decided to part ways as a couple but look forward to continuing [their] cherished friendship.”

We were all rooting for her this time, but it’s a shocker.

Chris Evans & Jenny Slate

(2016 – 2018)

The couple went public in 2016 after they met for the first time on the set of Gifted in 2015, and since then have been in a tumultuous relationship with many on and off periods. They sadly decided to part ways once and for all.

The Captain America actor announced it in an interview with The New York Times in March 2018, and we hope they each find their soulmate soon.

Taylor Swift & Harry Styles

(Fall of 2012 – January 2013) 

All Taylor Swift fans know that the I Knew You Were Trouble lyrics are a not-so-subtle hint to Harry Styles after his breakup with the Red singer. The then-23-year-old American pop singer and 19-year-old British heartthrob were on and off on multiple occasions in their couple of months of dating, throwing shade at one another on the go.

However, an interview with Rolling Stone in 2017 reveals a much older, more mature Harry Styles, who opened up about his former relationship with grace and confidence.

Idina Menzel & Taye Diggs

(2003-2014)

In December 2013, Taye Diggs and Idina Menzel announced that they were separating after 10 years of marriage.

The couple met while starring in the Broadway production of Rent in the mid-1990s and have a son, Walker.

Ben Affleck & Jennifer Garner

(2004-2015)

In 2004, Affleck and Garner didn’t waste much time after that and appeared as a couple for the first time later that year. They were engaged in April 2005 and married in June while Jen was four months pregnant with their first child. The couple had three children together. They constantly gushed about their wonderful life together.

But like all good things, it couldn’t last. They announced their split in 2015, with many blaming Ben’s alleged affair with the couple’s nanny, Christine Ouzounian. He denies this.

Taylor Kinney & Lady Gaga

(2011-2016)

Taylor Kinney and Lady Gaga were the unexpected couple that stole America’s hearts. They met in 2011 on the set of Gaga’s You and I video, in which Kinney plays her love interest. They began dating later that year. Gaga frequently gushed about Kinney and how happy she was to find love. He seemed to adore her equally and popped the question in 2015.

The pair split in 2016, citing work schedules, but Gaga has said that it is temporary, as she still considered Kinney her soulmate.

Khloe Kardashian & Lamar Odom

(2009-2013)

The former Los Angeles Lakers player and the reality star married in 2009, just one month after they started dating. Kardashian and Odom first met in August 2009. The stars even had their own reality show, Khloe & Lamar, which seemingly started off as a picturesque romance.

After four years of marriage, Kardashian filed for divorce in December 2013. The reason for the breakup was largely due to her husband’s continual struggles with substance abuse, despite his attempts at cleaning up.

Tim Burton & Helena Bonham Carter

(2001-2014)

Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter, broke up after 13 years.

The unconventional couple never married or cohabited, instead living in adjoining houses in London. They share a son and daughter. Now, Bonham Carter says that she and the director are friendly.

Nikki Bella & John Cena

(2012-2018)

In April 2017, John Cena proposed to Bella at Wrestlemania.

After a year’s worth of ups and downs, many of which were documented on her E! reality series, the couple announced their breakup.

Nick Cannon & Mariah Carey

(2008-2014)

They met in 2005, though Cannon admits he had a crush on Carey when he was younger. They began dating in 2008. The couple only dated for only two months before getting married. The couple had twins in 2011.

In 2014, Cannon and Carey went through a nasty divorce.

Reese Witherspoon & Ryan Phillippe

(1999-2007)

For the eight years that Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe were married, they were a power couple in Hollywood. They co-starred in Cruel Intentions. The couple tied the knot in 1999 after dating for two years, and had two children together.

Though the pair officially separated in 2007, they remain friendly exes.

Bruce Willis & Demi Moore

(1987-2000)

Bruce Willis and Demi Moore were a popular couple in the ’80s and ’90s, but officially divorced in October 2000. Considering that they were married for more than 10 years and had three children together, their separation came as a shock to many.

Despite the breakup, Moore and Willis still remain amicable.

Marilyn Monroe & Joe DiMaggio

(1952-1954)

Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio were a power couple during the 1950’s. Monroe was a well-known model and actress, while DiMaggio was a popular baseball star. Monroe and DiMaggio met in 1952 and tied the knot in January 1954. Unfortunately, their marriage was short. Less than a year later, the couple officially divorced. It has been reported that DiMaggio was controlling in the relationship.

When Monroe announced the divorce in October 1954, claiming “mental cruelty” from DiMaggio, she was visibly unhappy in the photos taken that day.

What do you think of these celebrity breakups? Was there any that shocked you more than these? Let us know in the comments and read our next article about the shortest celebrity marriages!