With their flawless good looks and glamorous lifestyles, celebrity marriages are often the epitome of “couple goals”. So, when a picture-perfect love story ends, it always comes as a shock to the world. This year, in particular, is littered with high-profile breakups.
From long-term marriages to young puppy love, here’s a rundown of the most shocking celebrity breakups of 2023.
- Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness
For nearly three decades, the Wolverine star and his wife have been the gold standard of celebrity marriage. Low profile and rumor-free, they’ve been through high highs (Jackman’s stellar Hollywood career) and low lows (his recurring skin cancer, her two miscarriages). But just when we thought nothing could rattle this couple, they announced their separation in September 2023.
Per the couple’s joint statement: “our journey now is shifting and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth.”
Sounds to us like a relationship that’s just run its course.
- Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas
When the Jonas Brothers frontman and Queen in the North first got together in 2016, they made such a strikingly beautiful couple that people immediately fell in love. Things went smoothly for the openly affectionate couple, who tied the knot in 2019 before welcoming two daughters in subsequent years.
But in September 2023, Jonas filed for divorce after 4 years of marriage, citing that the marriage is “irretrievably broken”. This was followed by a string of nasty rumors in the media about their custody dispute. On her end, Sophie has largely kept mum, opting to instead spend some downtime with new pal Taylor Swift.
- Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn
In May 2023, the singer and her London Boy announced that, after six years together, they were no more. The news promptly broke the internet and millions of hearts. According to sources, the breakup was “not dramatic” and their relationship simply “had just run its course”.
- Ariana Grande and Dalton Gomez
Early this month, Grande officially said “thank you, next” to her realtor husband of two years. Rumblings of their separation had started in July, when the “7 Rings” singer was seen without her wedding ring at the Wimbledon.
According to sources, the two “tried to make it work, but ultimately they were just not a good fit.” Their divorce was finalized swiftly, with Grande paying her ex a US$1.25 million in settlement.
She’s got no tears left to cry, though: Grande’s moved on with her Wicked co-star Ethan Slater, itself a controversial headline because he, too, is still married with a baby.
- Britney Spears and Sam Asghari
The last couple of years have truly been a “circus” for the diva. First, it was her conservatorship battle with father Jamie Spears. Then, after things had seemingly calmed down, news broke in August that Asghari had filed for divorce after one year of marriage. TMZ reported that the couple split after a “nuclear argument”, said to involve cheating allegations toward the “Toxic” singer.
- Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello
The gorgeous “Modern Family” star and her “True Blood” actor husband always made such picture-perfect lovebirds. But in July 2023, the two announced that they were ending their seven-year marriage. No reasons were given, though according to some sources, it’s the usual “they’ve grown apart” repertoire.
Since the split, Vergara has seemingly reveled in her new singleness, enjoying herself at concerts and fancy trips around the world.
- Jada Pinkett-Smith and Will Smith
This one hit like a slap! After the whole “entanglement” scandal and then the Oscar fiasco with Chris Rock, the actress recently made a shocking revelation that she and the Fresh Prince had been living separate lives since 2017. That means they were not even together when they sat down at the Red Table Talk to unpack Jada’s affair with August Alsina! What was that all for?
Despite that, Jada asserted that they’re not headed for divorce. What’s their status right now? Even “Men in Black” can’t fathom this mystery.
8. Joshua Jackson and Jodie Turner-Smith.
Striking Hollywood couple Joshua Jackson and Jodie Turner-Smith announced their shock split in October after four years of marriage.
Turner-Smith filed for divorce but is yet to reveal what caused the breakup.
The pair, who married in August 2019, share a 3-year-old daughter and Turner-Smith has requested 50/50 custody.
