Jen and Justin, Pete and Ariana, Cardi and Offset: 10 biggest celebrity breakups of 2018
2018 saw the end of some of pop culture’s most beloved (or simply most talked about) couples. Here are the 10 biggest breakups from the year.
Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux
The actors announced their separation in February after two years of marriage. Despite tabloids suggesting otherwise, their split appeared mutual and drama-free. “The good news is that was probably the most — I’m choosing my words really carefully — it was kind of the most gentle separation, in that there was no animosity,” Theroux later said, calling the breakup “amicable,” “boring” and “painless.”
Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson
The Saturday Night Live star proposed to Grande in June after a few weeks of dating, but much like their whirlwind courtship, their engagement was short-lived. The “thank u, next” singer broke up with Davidson in October shortly after the devastating death of her ex-boyfriend Mac Miller. Both stars are working to move on, although it hasn’t been easy for the comedian.
Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan
In April, the couple announced their separation after eight years of marriage in a joint statement, exclaiming, “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.” The former World of Dance host officially filed for divorce six months later. They have remained friendly, spending time together with their 5-year-old daughter in the wake of their split. Tatum is dating British singer Jessie J, while Dewan has moved on with Tony Award-winning actor Steve Kazee.
Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber
The fifth (sixth?) time wasn’t the charm for Jelena, as the couple called it quits in March. While reports then claimed it was more of a break than a breakup, that’s clearly not the case. Bieber popped the question to Hailey Baldwin three months later, and the young couple has already wed.
Kendra Wilkinson and Hank Baskett
After nearly a decade together, the reality star filed for divorce in April from the former NFL player. The split wasn’t exactly shocking, as Wilkinson was open about trouble in their relationship in the months leading up to their breakup. Although they remain co-parents, Wilkinson and Baskett have been up and down with their vow to remain friendly through the divorce.
Cardi B and Offset
Music’s hottest power couple is no more — for now. Earlier this month, the “I Like It” rapper revealed that she and Offset were done, a little over a year after they secretly tied the knot. “It’s nobody fault — I guess we just grew out of love, but we are not together anymore,” Cardi B said. Offset publicly declared that he missed his ex amid reports that he had cheated. They welcomed their first child together, daughter Kulture, in July.
John Cena and Nikki Bella
The Total Bellas star broke off her engagement to Cena in the spring after six years together. However, many people were suspicious as to how real the breakup was. The pair’s split came one month before Season 3 of her E! show, and they got back together days before its premiere. The Blockers actor and Bella’s relationship remained a storyline on- and offscreen throughout the season, but they eventually ended their relationship for good at the end of July — around the show’s finale.
Robert De Niro and Grace Hightower
The Oscar-winning actor confirmed speculation that he and Hightower were separating after 21 years of marriage and three decades together. “Grace and I have two beautiful children together. We are entering a period of transition in our relationship, which is a difficult but constructive process,” De Niro said in a statement.
Lena Dunham and Jack Antonoff
After five years together, the Girls creator and music producer “amicably” split. While the two remain friendly, Dunham admitted in an interview that their relationship lasted “longer than it should have” due to her ongoing health problems. (She had a hysterectomy one month prior to their breakup.) “He’s a very loyal person, so he was not going to bail when the going got tough,” she declared.
Ben Affleck and Lindsay Shookus
The actor and the Saturday Night Live producer ended their relationship over the summer after one year together. The breakup news came out before Affleck hit a rough patch, as the Oscar winner started drinking again. In October, he completed a 40-day rehab program and has vowed to keep fighting his addiction. Affleck also (finally) settled his divorce with ex-wife Jennifer Garner.
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