The Biggest Celebrity Breakups of 2021
With much of the world stuck inside for the bulk of 2020, it’s no surprise that celebrity breakups have been on a steady rise since last March.
Before the pandemic hit, 2020 had already seen the surprise end of recent newlyweds Lena Waithe and Alana Mayo, along with Vanessa Hudgens and Austin Butler, but once quarantine began, it truly felt as if our favorite celeb couples were splitting up every other day.
From major bombshells like the split of Cara Delevingne and Ashley Benson to dramatic divorces between Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock as well as Mary-Kate Olsen and Olivier Sarkozy, our hearts truly can’t take much more of this.
While 2021 brought forth plenty of new couples, it also caused plenty of heartaches, starting with Zoë Kravitz and Karl Glusman, who split after just 18 months of marriage. Sadly, even some of the best celebrity couples just aren't meant to last!
We’re keeping track of the biggest celebrity breakups of 2021, ahead.
Jamie McCarthy, Getty Images1/41Dua Lipa and Anwar Hadid (Reportedly)
After two years together, pop star Dua Lipa and Anwar Hadid have reportedly gone their separate ways. "Dua and Anwar are currently taking a break from their relationship and are spending time apart," a source told People in late December. "They're figuring things out right now." Neither has yet publicly addressed the story.
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Meagan Good and DeVon Franklin
Meagan Good and DeVon Franklin have called it quits after nine years of marriage. The pair announced their divorce on December 21 in a joint statement to People.
"After much prayer and consideration, we have decided to go into our futures separately but forever connected," Good and Franklin said in their statement. "We celebrate almost a decade of marriage together and a love that is eternal. There's no one at fault, we believe this is the next best chapter in the evolution of our love."
They continued, “We are incredibly grateful for the life-changing years we've spent together as husband and wife. We are also extremely thankful to God for the testimony being created inside us both and for blessing our lives with each other.”
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin, Getty Images3/41Chrishell Stause and Jason Oppenheim (Reportedly)
The Selling Sunset stars have called it quits. Multiple sources confirmed to People that Chrishell Stause and Jason Oppenheim have split just five months after confirming their relationship. So far, no reason for the breakup was given and neither reality star has publicly addressed the news. Here's hoping Santa brings them something to lift their spirits!
Gilbert Carrasquillo, Getty Images4/41Aaron Carter and Melanie Martin
Just days after welcoming their first child together, a son named Prince, Aaron Carter and Melanie Martin have called off their engagement. “I’ve never felt more devastated and betrayed and lied to in my entire life,” he tweeted. “This is such a horrible situation considering Prince doesn’t deserve any of this, and now it’s my job to just be a single father, and that’s what’s gonna happen.” The details of what happened remain unclear, though People has more info.
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Tiffany Haddish and Common
A little over a year after Tiffany Haddish and Common revealed they were seeing each other in August 2020, the pair have reportedly called it quits. “They are never in the same city together and both of them are just too busy for a serious relationship,” a source told People on November 29.
After meeting Common on the set of The Kitchen, Haddish previously said that her relationship with him was “the best relationship I’ve ever been in.” She said on Steve-O’s Wild Ride podcast, “I’m just way happier, and it’s like knowing I got somebody that cares about me, that really has my back. It seems like he does, anyways. And I love it. I love him.”
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The Bachelorette’s Tayshia Adams and Zac Clark
Former Bachelorette Tayshia Adams and her winner, Zac Clark, have called it quits after getting engaged nearly one year ago during the reality show’s 16th season finale. “Tayshia Adams and Zac Clark are no longer a couple,” a rep for Adams confirmed to People on November 22.
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John Shearer/Getty Images7/41Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes
On November 17, Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes released joint statements on Instagram Stories announcing their split after two years. “Hey guys, we’ve decided to end our romantic relationship, but our love for one another as humans is stronger than ever,” they said, per E! News. “We started our relationship as best friends and will continue to be best friends. We so appreciate your support from the beginning and moving forward.”
Kevin Mazur/2021 MTV Movie and TV Awards, Getty Images8/41Chase Stokes and Madelyn Cline
The two Outer Banks stars quietly split sometime over the summer, according to Us Weekly. The pair met on the set of the teen drama and quarantined together in 2020.
Karwai Tang/Getty Images9/41Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik
“They are not together right now. They are both good parents, though,” a Hadid family friend told People. “They co-parent. Yolanda is, of course, very protective of Gigi. She wants the best for her daughter and grandchild.”
“Gigi is solely focused on the best for Khai. She asks for privacy during this time,” a rep for Gigi told People.
Hadid and Malik’s breakup is happening amid a situation with Hadid’s mother, Yolanda. For more information, click here.
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Lala Kent and Randall Emmett (Reportedly)
Vanderpump Rules star Lala Kent has ended her engagement to Randall Emmett, per Page Six and per People. In mid-October the reality star seemingly scrubbed her Instagram of Emmett’s presence and posted what some believe to be a cryptic message alongside a video with her seven-month-old daughter, Ocean. “You will always be my # 1,” she captioned the post. “I will always protect you. It’s you and me, baby 🤍.”
Paras Griffin, Getty Images11/41Taryn Manning and Anne Cline
After getting engaged in June, the two have gone their separate ways, per Entertainment Weekly on October 6. “Unfortunately, after being engaged it just was not the right relationship for her, so she [Taryn] ended it. She has now moved on and is happy in a new relationship,” says a source.
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images12/41Elon Musk and Grimes
The couple has reportedly split after three years together. “We are semi-separated but still love each other, see each other frequently and are on great terms,” Musk told Page Six. “It’s mostly that my work at SpaceX and Tesla requires me to be primarily in Texas or traveling overseas and her work is primarily in L.A. She’s staying with me now and Baby X is in the adjacent room.”
MEGA, Getty Images13/41Scott Disick and Amelia Hamlin
After nearly a year together, the two have reportedly called it quits following Disick’s alleged continued interest in the goings-on of his former partner and mother of their three children, Kourtney Kardashian. On September 7, Page Six reported that Disick and Hamlin are taking a break, with Hamlin seemingly confirming the news via some gloomy Instagram posts.
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Kaley Cuoco and Karl Cook
Kaley Cuoco and her husband, Karl Cook, have split after three years of marriage. “Despite a deep love and respect for one another, we have realized that our current paths have taken us in opposite directions,” they said in a joint statement to People on September 3. “We have both shared so much of our journey publicly so while we would prefer to keep this aspect of our personal life private, we wanted to be forthcoming in our truth together. There is no anger or animosity, quite the contrary. We have made this decision together through an immense amount of respect and consideration for one another and request that you do the same in understanding that we will not be sharing any additional details or commenting further.”
Getty Images15/41Pete Davidson and Phoebe Dynevor (Reportedly)
It appears the five-month courtship between Bridgerton star Phoebe Dynevor and comedian Pete Davidson has come to an end. On August 15, just one month after going public with some serious PDA, The Sun reported that the pair called it quits. People reported the split as well on August 21.
“Pete and Phoebe’s romance was a real whirlwind, and from the start they were both totally committed,” the source told The Sun at the time. But as time has passed, it’s become increasingly obvious it is going to be difficult to make this work…. People can’t just jump on planes and jet around the world when they want to. It has made everything more difficult… Their mates think they make a great couple but the distance has made it completely unworkable. They had fun and will remain close but unless something drastic changes their relationship won’t recover.”
Getty Images16/41Kanye West and Irina Shayk (Reportedly)
Just a few months after the unexpected pair made headlines in June 2021, Kanye West and Irina Shayk have reportedly called it quits. “It was never a serious thing that took off,” one source told People on August 21.
“Kanye has been busy working and spending time with his kids,” a second source said. “This is his focus. He doesn’t have time to date right now. He finds Irina amazing though. They remain friendly.”
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Kate Bosworth and Michael Polish
On August 5, actor Kate Bosworth announced her split from her husband of seven years, filmmaker Michael Polish, on Instagram. “The beginning is often the best part of love. Fireworks, magnets, rebellion—the attraction. The onset signals a wide open expanse of possibility,” she began the lengthy post, adding, “Inherently we fear an ending. To lose what you have because you got what you wanted. To be attached to the expectation of the outcome. The great Unknown. What if we chose not to fear but instead, to love. If that most delicate and vulnerable last flicker to the flame became another type of furnace entirely.
“Our hearts are full, as we have never been so enamored and deeply grateful for one another as we do in this decision to separate,” she clarified, noting that her epitaph of their relationship may “sound strange to some, romantic to others.”
Despite the split, Bosworth suggests in her posts that the pair are working on a new film together. “Together, over the last 10 years, Michael and I have chosen love, every time. We hold hands as tightly today as we entangled fingers on our wedding day. Our eyes look more deeply into one another, with more courage now. In the process of letting go, we have come to acknowledge that our love will never end. The connection does not simply disappear. The love deepens, the heart expands,” she wrote. “We laugh as we plan for our next movie together and are excited to share our latest collaboration. We believe the most epic love stories are those which transcend expectation.” Read the post in its entirety, here.
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Scooter Braun and Yael Cohen
The famous music manager, whose clients include Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande, is separating from his wife, Yael Cohen, after seven years of marriage. “Their friendship is the best it’s ever been but they’re taking some time apart to sort things out and focus on the kids,” a source told People.
According to the publication, the pair are hoping to work things out. “So many couples went through this during the pandemic. They love each other and just need some time apart and will hopefully bounce back for their kids,” a second source said.
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Carmelo and La La Anthony
After 11 years of marriage, La La Anthony has reportedly filed for divorce from her husband Carmelo Anthony. According to TMZ, sources close to the couple say they’ve been separated for awhile but are being amicable about it all and remain friends.
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Liam Payne and Maya Henry
The former One Direction singer confirmed in June that he’s single after previously announcing an engagement to girlfriend Maya Henry. He said on a podcast, per E!, “I feel like more than anything at this point, I’m more disappointed in myself that I keep on hurting people.
“That annoys me. I’ve just not been very good at relationships,” he added. “And I know what my pattern of things is with relationships, I feel at this point. I’m just not very good at them so I just need to work on myself before I put myself on to somebody else. And I feel like that’s where I got to in my last relationship. I just wasn’t giving a very good version of me anymore, that I didn’t appreciate and I didn’t like being.”
David M. Benett/Getty Images21/41Matthew Perry and Molly Hurwitz
Perry confirmed in June 2021 he and Hurwitz have called off their engagement. “Sometimes things just don't work out and this is one of them,” Perry said in a statement, per People. “I wish Molly the best.”
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Blair Underwood and Desiree DaCosta
Blair Underwood and Desiree DaCosta have split after 27 years of marriage. “After a tremendous amount of thought, prayer & work on ourselves individually & collectively, we have come to the conclusion to end our marriage that began 27 years ago,” they wrote in a joint statement shared to Instagram on May 30. “It has truly been a beautiful journey. Our proudest achievements are our three incredible children. Three souls to which God entrusted us. We continue to be awed & humbled by the blessings of parenting. We have always put their best interests first & will continue to do so. We will continue to be the best of friends and co-parents and have the utmost respect for one another as we embark upon this new chapter of our lives, separately.”
Getty23/41Trevor Noah and Minka Kelly (Reportedly)
According to a source speaking with People, The Daily Show host and the Titans star have split after less than a year. People first reported the pair were seeing each other back in August 2020. Neither Noah nor Kelly ever officially confirmed the relationship, so it’s unlikely they will discuss the split.
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Katie Holmes and Emilio Vitolo Jr.
“It was amazing while it lasted, but they are at very different places in life. Emilio has no hard feelings,” a source told People in May 2021. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Dawson’s Creek star told Us Weekly the two “remain friends.”
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John Mulaney and Annamarie Tendler
Beloved comedian John Mulaney and his wife, Annamarie Tendler, have split after six years of marriage, People confirmed on May 10. This comes five months after Mulaney entered rehab following a relapse in his years-long battle with addiction. “I am heartbroken that John has decided to end our marriage,” Tendler said in a statement via her rep. “I wish him support and success as he continues his recovery.”
Michele Crowe/CBS via Getty Images26/41Bill and Melinda Gates
The couple announced in May 2021 they’re divorcing after 27 years of marriage. Read their statement here.
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Jason Segel and Alexis Mixter
After eight years of dating, the How I Met Your Mother star and the artist have parted ways.
Mixter announced the private couple’s split in a lengthy and emotional Instagram post on April 29, writing, “The depth of our bond was something I could never have anticipated. I’ve never spent so much time with another person, grown so much alongside someone else, laughed so much, cried so much, shared so much. It is odd to write about the end of a relationship, especially when the friendship that still exists is so full of life…. Announcing a breakup on social media is a strange feeling. Some won’t understand why it is necessary and that’s okay. Having a public romantic relationship is not easy. Ending one feels like navigating a road that doesn’t even exist. We are private people when it comes to our personal lives and I intend to keep it that way…. Thank you J for being my best friend…. I will never stop cheering you on with every cell of my body. I will never stop loving you unconditionally.”
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Jana Kramer and Mike Caussin
The couple has split after six years of marriage.
“As I try to make sense of a reality I never wanted to believe could be possible again, those words have now become a reality. I’ve fought y’all. I’ve loved hard. I’ve forgiven. I’ve put the work in. I’ve given everything I have, and now I have nothing else to give. ‘It’s time,’” Kramer wrote on Instagram on April 21.
She continued, “Please know that I still believe whole heartedly in marriage, love, and rebuilding. I just can’t fight any longer. It’s time to heal. Thank you for all the love, heart, and support, in many ways you have fought on this journey alongside me, and for that I am grateful…I’ll always encourage you to continue the good fight, but you can’t fight it alone.”
Getty Images29/41Lucy Hale and Skeet Ulrich
After a quick, surprising romance, sources tell E! News Hale is now single.
“[Lucy] and Skeet had a very brief romance and were seeing each other for about a month, but aren’t dating,” an insider says in an April 21 item. “They are still friendly and in touch, but it’s nothing serious. They aren’t consistently seeing each other, and Lucy is focusing on herself right now. She’s very much single but thinks Skeet is a great guy.”
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Zac Efron and Vanessa Valladares (Reportedly)
Zac Efron may be single again, but don’t bet on it just yet. Page Six reported on April 20 that the High School Musical star and his rumored girlfriend of 10 months, Vanessa Valladares, have split.
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Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez
“We have realized we are better as friends and look forward to remaining so,” the couple said to Today in a joint statement. “We will continue to work together and support each other on our shared businesses and projects. We wish the best for each other and one another’s children. Out of respect for them, the only other comment we have to say is thank you to everyone who has sent kind words and support.”
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Camila Mendes and Grayson Vaughan (Reportedly)
Camila Mendes has reportedly split from photographer Grayson Vaughan, her boyfriend of less than a year, per People. The Riverdale star seemingly scrubbed her Instagram of all photos with Vaughan and doesn’t follow him on the app. On March 26 she posted a cryptic quote on Instagram Stories: “I’m not sure how men did it, but convincing the world that women are the emotional gender is maybe the most successful scam in history.”
Still, a source told People that there was no big falling out. “There was no drama at all, and they are still friends,” the source said. “Their relationship just ran its course.”
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Ashley Benson and G-Eazy
In February a source confirmed that Pretty Little Liars star Ashley Benson and rapper G-Eazy (born Gerald Earl Gillum) had broken up after less than a year together. Here they are photographed together at Nobu earlier that month.
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Rebel Wilson and Jacob Busch
The Pitch Perfect star and Budweiser heir got together just before the start of the pandemic in March 2020 but called it quits some time in early 2021. Wilson announced the split on Instagram, slyly captioning a picture of herself, “single-girl-heading-to-Super-Bowl!”
Raymond Boyd/Getty Images35/41John Mellencamp and beauty expert Jamie Sue Sherrill
The rock singer and celebrity skin-care expert, who goes by Nurse Jamie, have ended their relationship, which began in early 2020, People reports.
Rich Polk/Getty Images36/41Elliot Page and Emma Portner
The Juno and Umbrella Academy star has filed for divorce from Portner, TMZ reports. The couple married in January 2018.
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Clare Crawley and Dale Moss
The Bachelorette couple has split. Moss confirmed the news on Instagram in January, writing, “I wanted share with you all that Clare and I have decided to go our separate ways. We appreciate the love and support we’ve received from so many people, but this is the healthiest decision for both of us at this time.”
BG004/Bauer-Griffin38/41Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas (Reportedly)
Perhaps the most famous quarantine couple has called it quits after about one year of dating, according to sources who spoke with People on January 18. “Ben is no longer dating Ana. She broke it off,” one source said. “Their relationship was complicated. Ana doesn’t want to be Los Angeles based and Ben obviously has to since his kids live in Los Angeles.”
However, another source claims the split was “mutual and something that is completely amicable.” They told People, “They are in different points in their lives; there is deep love and respect there. Ben continues to want to work on himself. He has three jobs lined up and he’s a solid father at home. They are both happy with where they are in their lives.”
Though photos of the couple getting cozy in lockdown began surfacing in March 2020, the relationship was confirmed when de Armas posted a selfie with her Deep Water costar in August 2020 with a heart-emoji caption.
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Johnny Middlebrooks and Cely Vazquez
Love Island USA contestants Johnny Middlebrooks and Cely Vazquez have called it quits. The reality stars first linked up during season two of the reality dating series, which aired in the summer of 2019.
“Because you’ve all been such a close part of our relationship, I wanted to share with you that Johnny and I are no longer together,” Vazquez tweeted on January 9. “While our relationship has been public from the start, I do ask that you respect this decision and our privacy during this time.”
She continued, “There is no reason to speculate, I am so thankful for our time together, but now it’s simply time for each of us to focus on our personal journey. I hope that you continue to support each of us individually as we move forward, heal and continue to follow our dreams.”
Middlebrooks reposted her tweet on Instagram stories, writing, “all love.”
“Thank you so much for everything. I appreciate the time we spent together on this unforgettable journey,” he wrote in a second slide, per People. “I will forever cherish the fun we had, the laughs we shared, and the memories we created. Thank you to all of the fans who loved and supported us the whole way through. Much love.”
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Zoë Kravitz and Karl Glusman
After just over four years together and 18 months as a married couple, Zoë Kravitz and Karl Glusman have split, a rep confirmed to People. According to court documents, Kravitz actually filed for divorce from Glusman on December 23, 2020, but the news didn’t hit the public until January 2, 2021.
Paras Griffin/Getty Images41/41LeToya Luckett and Tommicus Walker
“After very prayerful consideration, Tommicus and I have decided to get a divorce,” Luckett announced in a statement on January 11. “It is my deepest desire for us to be loving co-parents and keep a peaceful environment out of respect for our children. Please understand our need for privacy. Thank you in advance for your prayers, support & space to heal as we tread through this challenging time.” (The couple shares two kids: Gianna, two, and Tysun, one.)
