For every picture-perfect couple that Hollywood gives us, it also takes away dozens more. Scores of Hollywood’s seemingly ideal couples shock us on a near daily basis with their announcements of parting ways. Luckily, a select few are also continuing to give us #RelationshipGoals.
As it stands, the year 2018 has already been a tumultuous one in terms of get-togethers, break-ups, and reconciliations. Some separations we all saw coming from a mile away, meanwhile others shook us to our cores because they were the epitome of #RelationshipGoals themselves up until the fateful statement-releasing day.
The fact that not everything is as it seems becomes heighteningly obvious when it comes to celebs since our favorite stars don’t always have picture-perfect relationships. They may post quintessential pictures and pose for the cameras while looking adoringly into each other’s’ eyes but it’s only when they finally decide to go their separate ways while releasing a statement that they will also “remain loving dedicated parents,” that the public finally learns the truth.
The truth is that #RelationshipGoals is all about keeping up appearances. There are some couples who continue to make us dream of the perfect relationship like them, while others shatter those aspirations with news of their separations.
20 Jada Pinkett & Will Smith Are an inspiration
Did you know that Jada and Will have already been married for more than two decades? Seriously, let that sink in for a moment. As far as Hollywood goes, that is pretty much the equivalent of at least four decades given the high amount of break-ups.
Like any couple, they have certainly had their fair share of ups and downs but they have been honest through all of them. The best is when they occasionally drop vital relationship advice tidbits during interviews.
You can’t exactly Google “Will Smith Relationship Advice” without stumbling on many inspirational messages from the pair, especially his most recent video on how you can’t make a person happy.
19 Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher were meant for each other
Who would have thought that after an eight-year marriage to 15-years-older-than-him Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher would actually settle down with his love interest from That 70’s Show?!
How much do you want to bet their love story will be turned into a movie one day? Yet, here they are, already married since 2015, with two adorable kids to show off to the world and constant reminders that they continue to be #RelationshipGoals for everyone else.
Interestingly, Kunis once explained during an interview with Howard Stern, “I think we had to both go through a lot in our lives to become the people that we were. We would never be together based on the people that we used to be."
18 Bey and Jay are hollywood's power couple
Despite some of the juiciest news out there about these two, Beyonce and Jay-Z still continue to be the apples in everyone’s eyes when it comes to #RelationshipGoals.
“I want to have the emotional tools that it takes to keep my family together,” he said. “And much like you, I have a beautiful wife who’s understanding and knew I’m not the worst of what I’ve done. We did the hard work of going to therapy and you know, we love each other, right? So we really put in the work.
Like you, I like to believe we’re in a better place today. But we’re still working and communicating and growing. And I’m proud of the father and the husband that I am today because of all the work that was done,” Jay-Z recently opened up to David Letterman.
17 Blake Lively & Ryan Reynolds are serious #goals
Sorry, not sorry but there is no way to avoid placing Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds as one of the top #RelationshipGoals couples. They are serious perfection together and most of us dream of ever attaining the level they have achieved as a celeb power couple.
With two kids under their belts already, incredible chemistry, extremely down-to-earth tweets and Instagram posts about each other, they give us massive envy. But did you know that even the way they met is off-the-charts uncommon? Reynolds revealed to Entertainment Weekly’s Sirius XM that they initially went on a double date… but not with each other!
“That was the most awkward date for their respective probably because we were just like fireworks coming across," revealed Reynolds.
16 Alexis and Jim Bellino, 13 years later...
Now let’s get into the nitty-gritty of couples that just haven’t been able to last and broke up in 2018. After 13 years of marriage, The Real Housewives of Orange County Alexis Bellino and Jim Bellino won’t be sharing a last name anymore. Or will they? It’s going to be a little awkward for her to change her name given that she is publicly known by her marital last name.
Even her Instagram handle features his last name! As usual, it was “with heavy hearts” that they announced their split, adding that they will have 50/50 custody of their three kids, 12-year-old James and 10-year-old twins, Melania and Mackenna, according to Bravo TV.
15 Nia Vardalos and Ian Gomez could not reconcile their differences
Remember Toula Portokalos from My Big Fat Greek Wedding? Nia Vardalos, the actress behind our beloved on-screen character, has pretty much laid low since the sequel in 2016, appearing mostly in some smaller TV shows. But after 25 years, her marriage to Ian Gomez is no matter because of “irreconcilable differences”.
“We’ve been respectfully separated for a lengthy period of time. Our relationship became a friendship so the decision to end the marriage is completely mutual and amicable,” they said in a joint statement, according to People.
Custody of their adopted 11-year-old daughter Ilaria is still to be determined but let’s hope they won’t be doing the same way as Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.
14 Liam Payne and Cheryl Cole never found their stride
Who would have guessed it: Cheryl Cole and Liam Payne are no more. After originally meeting on the X Factor UK, when Cole was a judge and 16-year-old Payne was auditioning, they shocked everyone with the emergence of pics of the two of them as a couple at the beginning of 2016, placing him at just 22-years-old at the time, while she was 33.
If that wasn’t jaw-dropping enough, pregnancy rumors went into overdrive later that year and the couple finally announced the birth of their baby boy on March 22nd 2017, according to Cosmopolitan.
It was clear that there was trouble in paradise though as just in March 2018, Liam spoke to ES Magazine about how they have their struggles and can’t “sit here and say that everything’s fine and dandy.”
In July 2018, they announced their split. In a new four-track EP, he hints that she actually broke up with him. As OK Magazine relates, he sings on one of the tracks, “We used to be lovin’, touchin’, kissin’, […], like our lives depend on it,” which many are viewing as quite a distasteful reference to make about their private lives.
13 Jillian Michaels and Heidi Rhoades are better as friends
It’s always sad to see long-term Hollywood couples call it quits and such is the case of Jillian Michaels and Heidi Rhoades. The one who has been whipping us into shape for over a decade now announced in June 2015 that the couple had actually “been split for a while now”.
“We’ve found we’re better friends and parents living apart than staying together,” she continued, also adding, “Life and people change but our love for one another and commitment to raising our two kids as an inseparable team remains.”
After nearly a decade together, the couple was actually supposed to be getting married soon. So much for that!
12 Jack and Lisa Osbourne ended it amicably
They have been together for seven years but just recently announced their separation. As always, their joint statement pretty much read the same thing that all celeb couples claim once they decide to part ways.
“So, first and foremost, we absolutely still love each other. Our family is the most important thing in our lives, and we tried everything we could for many years to make this work,” the statement read, according to People.
“We are disappointed but feel confident that we will continue to grow our relationship as co-parents and best friends,” they also added.
They have three kids together: Minnie, Andy, and Pearl.
11 Ronnie Ortiz-Magro and Jen Harley are all about the drama
Admit it, you love watching their drama on Jersey Shore. But the couple who is constantly up and down has reportedly been on the outs since April. Drama is exactly what their “love” and relationship together has been through, amidst lots of dark allegations, use of substances – all this amidst a torrent of emotional and physical backlash…
If they are truly done this time, then all the better, especially since they are parents now.
Their daughter Ariana Sky was born in late April and even her birth hasn’t come without its fair share of drama. During the return of the Jersey Shore Family Vacation, Ronnie reported that Harley kept their baby from him for as long as six days, according to People.
10 Jennie Garth and Dave Abrams are officially separated
Oops, another one bites the dust. Jennie Garth is once again in Splitsville after three years of marriage to Dave Abrams. For the record, she was previously married to Peter Facinelli for 12 years and Daniel B. Clark for 2 years prior to that.
A source told US Weekly that the couple are “still trying to make it work, but they haven't been living together. They love each other, but like every marriage, it takes work. Jennie is taking the time to focus on her girls and herself.”
But that was back in April, so looks like nothing came of it.
9 Kendra Wilkinson and Hank Baskett couldn't get past their issues
Shock! Things between Kendra Wilkinson and Hank Baskett didn’t work out. The relationship that moved at lightning speed came to a screeching end when she announced their split via an Instagram post on April 6th 2018.
“Today is the last day of my marriage to this beautiful man. I will forever love Hank and be open but for now we have chosen to go our own ways. I’m beyond sad and heartbroken because I did believe in forever, that’s why I said yes but unfortunately too much fear has gotten in the way,” her post began.
Sadly (or not?), their split does make sense given everything they have been through as a couple from him straying, all the way to a source revealing their different parenting style to People, “Kendra's personality is much more proactive and commanding, but Hank has a quiet strength."
8 Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan's divorce devastated fans
Former post-couple for the hashtag #RelationshipGoals, Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan seriously rocked social media with their separation announcement. We’re all still collectively crying sad tears for this dream couple but unfortunately, it still doesn’t look like they are going to be reuniting any time soon.
Every fans' mouths dropped open the moment the news hit the web that after nine years of marriage, the couple was calling it quits via an Instagram post that read: “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. […] 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.”
As usual, the conclusion of the post was that they would “always be loving dedicated parents to [their daughter] Everly.”
7 Vanessa and Donald Jr. let money get in the way
Although they were so close to making it to 15 years of marriage, Donald Jr. and Vanessa didn’t quite make it right, landing just two years short. Although their split came as a surprise, there is now a lot to figure out with regards to who gets what, especially since it was revealed after their split that she may have inherited a good chunk of money from the sale of Rao’s Specialty Foods, as reported by In Touch Weekly.
On the bright side, they appear to have resolved their child custody issues, according to USA Today, as of the end of July 2018. That is a rare feat, whether in politics or Hollywood, so kudos to them!
6 Alicia Silverstone and Christopher Jarecki have attachment issues
Although she has pretty much disappeared into oblivion since Clueless, Alicia Silverstone has nonetheless been able to re-grasp the attention of fans a couple of items with her controversial parenting statements. From bird feeding, all the way to saying babies shouldn’t use diapers or even claiming that letting the baby sleep alone in a crib is the equivalent to neglect… there aren’t many topics she hasn’t covered.
Still, her separation from husband Christopher Jarecki did come as a surprise, especially since they were together for 20 years! They have one child together, six-year-old son Bear Blue Jarecki, who they have vowed to co-parent, as per the Daily Mail.
5 Bristol Palin and Dakota Meyer were not made for marriage
After calling quits on their marriage, Bristol Palin massively confused fans after sharing a picture of the two of them together with their son in May, later on even sharing a pic of flowers he apparently gave her.
At the beginning of August, she finally confirmed the news for good though. As per Fox News, when asked if she was dating, “Freshly divorced and single forever lezzbereal (I am not ready to date),” she replied.
When asked if she ever sees herself getting married again, she said, “Honestly (right this second) no… my focus is on God and my kids. A relationship/guy isn't even close on my radar.”
4 Julie Bowen and Scott Phillips got tired of pushing through
Looks like Julie Bowen and Scott Phillips got enough sleep and finally decided to part ways. After 13 years of marriage, they announced their split in February.
The reason for sleep comment is because, in 2016, Modern Family star Julie Bowen told Us Weekly:
“We watch all these people get married and split up and go, ‘Wait, did they get married after us or before us? We outlast all these people. The answer: We’re too tired to do anything else!”
Their exhaustion makes sense given that they are parents to three sons, 11-year-old Oliver and twins John and Gustav.
3 Alessandra Ambrosio and Jamie Mazur are better apart
Hot model news alert: Victoria’s Secret model Alessandra Ambrosio is back on the market…for now!
According to US Weekly, Ambrosio and Jamie Mazur were already separated for a while before formally announcing their split.
A source told US Magazine, “They [have] been trying to keep their split on the down low, but Alessandra has been out and about ready to mingle and hasn’t been taking Jamie to anything.”
Although the pair got engaged in 2008, they never did end up getting married. Perhaps that has something to do with the fact that their daughter Anja was born that same year, followed by Noah in 2012.
2 Gina and Matthew Kirschenheiter walked away while still friends
Just like that, another housewife’s marriage bites the dust. The newest addition to The Real Housewives of Orange County revealed that the couple called it quits in the midst of filming season 13. The pressure of filming? The pressure of fame? So many questions, not enough answers.
In a peculiar twist, she has asked for sole custody of their three children, according to US Magazine.
Gina also further explained, “I think I did see it as an opportunity that would be good for us, ’cause we’re buddies, we’re friends, we’re just going to navigate this together. And then when he couldn’t film, and he’s also away a lot, I think that it probably did have more of a negative effect on our relationship and made things harder.
Now I’m basically going on this venture, and he’s not included and involved in it, and it creates even more distance than is already there.”
1 Eric Dane and Rebecca Gayheart called it quits after 14 years
After 14 years together, Eric Dane and Rebecca Gayheart recently announced their split. The usual “irreconcilable differences” were cited as usual but unlike make Hollywood couples who part ways, they have already decided on joint custody of their two daughters, Bille and Georgia, according to E Online.
While they have asked for privacy with regards to their decision, it’s hard not to wonder if his struggle with depression may have had something to do with the split. Back in 2017, he revealed to People, “I just felt like, you know, everybody kind of feels a little blue. But this just hit me like a truck. I had to take some time off — I went away, I took care of it, and I’m feeling great.”
References: Elle, E Online, BravoTV, People, Cosmopolitan, People, Ok Magazine, Instagram, In Touch Weekly, US Magazine, and Fox News.