We all love the loud, convoluted, and shocking drama of A-list celebrity divorces. That’s why we’re enthralled to hear the latest update on the Kimye split, and why we racked up hundreds of thousands of tweets when Brangelina announced they were parting ways.
Showbiz has always treated divorces as scandals — something earth-shattering that repeatedly proves there is no such thing as a happily ever after. But a relatively new sentiment is sweeping Hollywood. Ever since Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin famously coined the term “consciously uncouple” when they announced their divorce, more celebrities have shown that it’s possible to break up without spilling bad blood. Some couples have even announced their breakups without saying the D-word.
This shift of perspective — and diction — paints divorce as less of a scandal and more of a fact of life. Here are some of the most notable celebs who told us they were divorcing without telling us they were divorcing.
Jason Momoa and Lisa Bonet’s guide to public breakups
After 17 years of togetherness, actors Momoa and Bonet announced their separation on Instagram, which, if you must know, is the platform of choice for divorce announcements. According to the couple, their family is no exception to the “seismic shifts” happening across the world, and would like to share the news that they were “parting ways in marriage.”
Perhaps to soften the blow, they reassured the public that their love would carry on to evolve in different ways and that they were only freeing each other to be who they were learning to be. In essence, the couple simply had drifted apart as they pursued their individual passions. The joint message, which was posted on Momoa’s personal Instagram account, has since been deleted.
Aniston and Theroux: F.R.I.E.N.D.S forever
In 2018, Jen and Justin called it quits after two and a half years of marriage. They announced the break-up through a publicist so that they could tell the truth directly and prevent the gossip industry from speculating and painting an incorrect picture of their marriage.
According to the couple, their decision was “mutual and lovingly made,” and that while they have ended their relationship as a couple, they would continue to cherish each other as friends. This setup seems to work out just fine for the ex-love birds. In a 2021 interview with Esquire, Theroux revealed that he and Aniston still call, text, and FaceTime each other. He reiterated that they did not have a dramatic split and that they still bring each other joy and friendship despite not being together.
We are happy for the couple who ended their marriage to become besties.
Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan’s divorce announcement is as magical as their romance
Tatum and Dewan met on the set of Step Up and quickly hit it off. They dated for three years before tying the knot in 2009. In May 2013, they welcomed their daughter. And in February 2018, it was over.
In a joint statement on Instagram, the couple announced that their beautiful love adventure would now be taking them on different paths. This is simply a more poetic way of saying that they have chosen to separate as a couple. “We fell deeply in love so many years ago and have had a magical journey together,” wrote the couple, before confirming that their adventure has come to an end.
The divorce seems amicable, with the two actors even referring to themselves as “best friends.” Per their statement, they would always be loving parents to their daughter. They also stressed that there were no “salacious events” that affected their decision to part ways. The announcement then closes on a rather familiar note: a request to respect their family’s privacy.
If these celebrity divorces are truly as sweet as they make it seem, then we can consider these ex-couples lucky. As trusted family lawyers in the Evergreen State, we’ve seen our fair share of divorces and we can tell you: separations can get pretty ugly. Should you need a helping hand in severing the ties that bind your marriage, the law offices of Buckingham, LaGrandeur, & Williams are always open. Drop us a line today.