Breakups are a universal experience, but for A-listers there’s an added layer we mere mortals don’t contend with: having to share the news with the entire world.
Sure, we have to deal with some messiness when it comes to informing loved ones and social media (the eternal dilemma: delete old couple shots, or leave them?), but at least there’s no pressure to broadcast the heartbreak to millions of strangers.
Over the years, we’ve witnessed the gamut of Hollywood split and divorce statements – some moving, some bizarre, and some absolutely gut-wrenching, like Deborra-lee Furness’ message on “betrayal” this week after filing for divorce from Hugh Jackman.
READ MORE: ‘Moving on’: Radio host on best friend Hugh’s ‘difficult’ divorce
Let’s take a look at the celebrity announcements that got the world talking for various reasons.
Deborra-lee Furness
The Australian actress didn’t shy away from her pain in her statement on the breakdown of her almost three-decade marriage to Hugh Jackman, which ended in 2023.
“My heart and compassion goes out to everyone who has traversed the traumatic journey of betrayal,” Furness’ message, shared with Nine.com.au, read in part.
“It’s a profound wound that cuts deep, however I believe in a higher power and that God/the universe, whatever you relate to as your guidance, is always working FOR us.
READ MORE: How Deborra-lee made a name for herself before meeting Hugh
“I have gained much knowledge and wisdom through this experience. Even when we are presented with apparent adversity, it is leading us to our greatest good, our true purpose.
“It is so easy to get lost in looking for love and validation outside ourselves, but that’s not where it lives – it lives within.”
Jackman is yet to publicly acknowledge the divorce filing news. However, in 2023 he and Furness announced their split in a joint statement, reading: “Our journey now is shifting and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth… We undertake this next chapter with gratitude, love and kindness.”
The biggest celebrity splits and divorces of 2024
Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin
And now, for a statement that got the world talking for very different reasons.
In announcing their separation in 2014, Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin unwittingly gave rise to a term for breakup most of us had never heard: consciously uncoupling.
“It is with hearts full of sadness that we have decided to separate,” the actress and Coldplay frontman wrote in their joint statement, published on Paltrow’s website Goop.
“We have always conducted our relationship privately, and we hope that as we consciously uncouple and co-parent, we will be able to continue in the same manner.”
Those two little words attracted no shortage of attention – not to mention mockery – and remain part of the pop cultural vernacular to this day.
Kate Bosworth and Michael Polish
Speaking of unusual wording, the statement announcing the end of Kate Bosworth’s 10-year marriage to Michael Polish was unexpectedly… poetic?
“The beginning is often the best part of love. Fireworks, magnets, rebellion – the attraction. The onset signals a wide open expanse of possibility,” Bosworth wrote on Instagram.
“Split a burger with someone when you are falling in love, and you can die happily knowing this is your last meal.”
It went on for a little while before cutting to the chase, confirming the couple had decided to separate, while “enamoured and deeply grateful for one another”.
“Together, over the last ten years, Michael and I have chosen love, every time. We hold hands as tightly today as we entangled fingers on our wedding day,” the statement continued.
The pair said their “love will never end”, just change, adding, “We believe the most epic love stories are those which transcend expectation. Our greatest honor has been to experience love like this, and to continue to marvel at the beauty of love’s evolution.”
Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston
2005 brought the news nobody saw coming: the end of Hollywood’s golden couple.
“We would like to announce that after seven years together, we have decided to formally separate,” a statement from Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt informed the world.
“For those who follow these sorts of things, we would like to explain that our separation is not the result of any of the speculation reported by the tabloid media. This decision is the result of much thoughtful consideration.
READ MORE: The star caught in the crosshairs of Hugh Jackman’s divorce
“We happily remain committed and caring friends with great love and admiration for one another. We ask in advance for your kindness and sensitivity in the coming months.”
Of course, the speculation mentioned in the statement is exactly why it was so significant.
For months, there had been whispers around the nature of Pitt’s relationship with his Mr and Mrs Smith co-star Angelina Jolie; the pair had met in 2004 on the set of the movie.
While they denied anything was happening at the time, it wasn’t long before the couple went public with their romance – with a magazine spread, as you do – a mere four months after Aniston filed for divorce in March 2005.
Pitt and Jolie eventually admitted they “fell in love” during filming, and went on to marry. Eight years after separating, they recently finalised their acrimonious divorce.
Drew Barrymore and Will Kopelman
Could this be the sweetest divorce statement in celebrity history? Drew Barrymore and Will Kopelman put an unusually personal spin on the confirmation of the end of their marriage in 2016.
”Sadly our family is separating legally, although we do not feel this takes away from us being a family,” the pair said.
“Divorce might make one feel like a failure, but eventually you start to find grace in the idea that life goes on.
“Our children are our universe, and we look forward to living the rest of our lives with them as the first priority.”
Shakira
And finally, a celebrity breakup statement that was as brief as they come.
Shakira’s announcement of the end of her marriage to footballer Gerard Piqué was straight to the point – coming before their bitter divorce played out in the headlines.
“We regret to confirm that we are separating. For the well-being of our children, who are our highest priority, we request respect for our privacy. Thank you for your understanding,” the singer said.
FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.
