'Big Brother' All-Stars Memphis Garrett and Christmas Abbott Announce Divorce

Christmas Abbott (L) and Memphis Garrett (R)

Big Brother has touted that it's responsible for more successful marriages than the entirety of The Bachelor franchise. However, the veteran summer reality series has experienced its first BB divorce, as two-time houseguests Memphis Garrett and Christmas Abbott have announced their impending split.

TMZ was the first to break the story on Friday, March 1, with court documents showing Memphis formally filing for divorce. He cited "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for the split. He also petitioned the court not to award Christmas alimony, citing that she is currently "gainfully employed."

"My heart hurts," Memphis told Us Weekly. "I did not want to have to file for divorce. I was doing everything in my power to work on our marriage. I only wish the very best in life for her and [her son], Loyal."

Christmas initially did not respond to the news publicly. Instead, she posted a cryptic message on Instagram on March 2 with a photo of a truck that read, "The best is yet to come." The caption said, "When life shows you it has your back."

"It is unfortunate that the actions and intentions of individuals involved in this situation have led to the exposure of personal and sensitive information," she eventually said in a statement, also to Us. "I believe that matters of this nature should be resolved in a private and respectful manner. I ask for privacy at this time to focus on my family."

Related: Big Brother's Cody Calafiore Marries Longtime Love in NJ Wedding With Former Castmates in Attendance

Memphis and Christmas met on the set of Big Brother All-Stars in 2020. Both houseguests had been very successful in each of their respective previous seasons, each making it to finale night; Memphis finished in second place on season 10, while Christmas finished in third place on season 19. The two showed little romantic inclinations during the season, being evicted back-to-back in fifth and fourth place.

Outside of the pressure cooker of the house, the pair grew closer. They confirmed their relationship had turned romantic to E! News in December 2020, only a little over a month following their time on season 22. Christmas said then, "My favorite trait about Memphis is that he understands and knows exactly who I am. He sees and appreciates me for me, not who he thinks I should be or who I have been in the past. He feels like my home. I also love his wild, unapologetic self. He is who he is."

Things moved quickly for the two from there. Six months later, in June 2021, Memphis proposed to Christmas. "Before I even met Christmas, I felt a cosmic attraction to her," he told E!. "Once we spent 24/7 together for three months, I knew she was the one that I would spend the rest of my life with. I knew I found my twin flame." The two subsequently married in May 2022.

The news has sent shockwaves across the community of Big Brother fans, who were just as surprised about the announcement of the end of their relationship as the beginning. Memphis and Christmas were posting photos of each other on their respective social media pages through February 14. Since the news has broken, both have unfollowed each other on Instagram, and Christmas has removed all photos of Memphis from her account.

Next, see how Big Brother alum Angela Rummans has sparked rumors of a new relationship after calling off her engagement to "showmance" partner Tyler Crispen.