Why are Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan Tatum splitting? Here's what we know

After being married for almost nine years (and being #relationshipgoals for every single one of those), Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan Tatum are separating. The couple exclusively confirmed their breakup to People and made the announcement on social media today, April 2nd. And no, this is isn’t a belated April Fool’s joke (we only wish). They wrote:

“Hey world! So…We have something we would like to share. First off, it feels odd that we have to share this kind of thing with everyone, but it’s a consequence of the lives we’ve chosen to lead, which we also happen to be deeply grateful for. We’re living in an incredible moment in time, but it’s also a time where truth can easily get distorted into ‘alternative facts’ 😉 So we want to share the truth so you know that if you didn’t read it here then it’s most certainly fiction.

“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. There are no secrets nor salacious events at the root of our decision — just two best-friends realizing it’s time to take some space and help each other live the most joyous, fulfilled lives as possible. We are still a family and will always be loving dedicated parents to Everly. We won’t be commenting beyond this, and we thank you all in advance for respecting our family’s privacy. Sending lots of love to everyone, Chan&Jenna.”

So what we do know, based on this note, is that:

1. The decision seems amicable. The couple loves each other still but realized they need space from one another.

2. They’ll still be the best parents to their four-year-old daughter Everly.

3. We do know that they weren’t the “perfect” married couple. Hey, no one is. Back in February, they told Health:

“When people say you guys have such a perfect life, I want to scream and tell them no one’s perfect,” she said. “I think there are such things as great fits. It is a great fit as long as you are growing together, and I think up until this point we’ve really grown together. Even if one starts to grow, the other catches up and vice versa.”

There you have it. Just because Channing and Jenna are gorgeous, famous human beings, doesn’t mean they’re immune to the same relationship struggles the rest of us norms face.