Celebrity breakups and divorces are not uncommon, especially in an era where privacy is considered a luxury to most showbiz icons. However, the incident of divorces seems to have skyrocketed since the onset of the pandemic.
The coronavirus hit the world hard in late 2019, resulting in a global pandemic that changed the world we all knew, leaving many to confront their biggest fears.
For some, it was the loss of a loved one, for some their jobs, and others, their relationships. Even public figures and A-listers in the entertainment industry were not left out of these devastating ordeals.
While many celebrities utilized the quarantine as a means of reconnecting with loved ones, the period seemed to have taken a toll on others, exposing them to flaws otherwise hidden by their life of glitz and glam.
This is especially true for romantic partners, who lead their lives in the full glare of the public. From Kim Kardashian and Kanye West to Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock, here are some celebrities who shocked the world with their breakups over the pandemic.
1. Carly Waddell And Evan Bass
“Bachelor In Paradise” alums Carly Waddell and Evan Bass kept their relationship afloat for three years. The duo, who emerged as the fan-favorite celebrity couple during their stint on the ABC series in 2016 announced their breakup in December 2020. They share two children.
2. Gleb Savchenko And Alena Samodanova
Despite surviving fourteen years together as a married couple, the pandemic proved too tough for “Dancing With the Stars” pro Gleb Savchenko, and his wife, Elena Samodanova.
The latter first announced their split on Instagram in November 2020. Shortly after, Savchenko confirmed it in a statement, asking the public to respect their privacy and that of their kids.
3. Lake Bell And Scott Campbell
On October 28, 2020, actress Lake Bell announced her split from her husband of seven years and the father of her two kids, Scott Campbell. She reassured fans that they would remain “parental comrades in arms,” and best friends for the rest of their lives.
4. Emitt Smith And Pat Smith
Barely months after celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary with heartfelt social media tributes, Emitt and Pat Smith shocked the world with their split.
The Hollywood power couple announced their impending divorce in a joint statement. They also divulged their intention to move forward with love and compassion as co-parents, friends, and business partners.
5. Joey Lawrence And Chandie Yawn-Nelson
Days before their fifteenth wedding anniversary, “Blossom” star, Joey Lawrence and his wife, Chandie Yawn-Nelson, called it quits. The icon, who shares two children with Chandie filed for divorce on July 14, giving the world a shocker.
6. Armie Hammer And Elizabeth Chambers
Actor Armie Hammer, and BIRD Bakery owner Elizabeth Chambers announced the end of their ten-years marriage in July 2021.
Prior to the announcement, the couple quarantined together in the Cayman Islands, along with their kids, Harper Grace and Ford, giving off the vibes of a happy family.
7. Dr. Dre And Nicole Young
After 23 years of marriage and two children together, Nicole Young filed for divorce from music legend Dr. Dre. News outlets confirmed their separation on June 29.
8. Kelly Clarkson And Brandon Blackstock
Singer and television personality, Kelly Clarkson gave the world a shocker when she filed for divorce from Brandon Blackstock.
The news broke in June 2021, while the twosome was quarantining in Montana with their kids, River Rose and Remington Alexander. The former sweethearts, who tied the knot in 2013 did the divorce filings in a Los Angeles court.
9. Brian Austin Green And Megan Fox
Three kids and ten years’ worth of memories proved inadequate to keep Brian Austin Green and Megan Fox glued to each other through the pandemic.
The “Beverly Hills, 90210” star and his wife of ten years confirmed their breakup in May 2021, vowing to always love each other.
10. Erika And Tom Girardi
“The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills” star, Erika Girardi served her husband of 21 years, Tom Girardi, the divorce papers in November 2020.
She announced their split in a joint statement, maintaining that she had great love and respect for her long-time husband. The pair requested for privacy while dealing with the split.
11. Kaley Cuoco And Carl Cook
Hollywood icon Kaley Cuoco and her husband Carl Cook held out for as long as they could. But eventually, they joined the list of celebrity couples who split during the pandemic.
The pair announced the end of their 3-year marriage in September, stressing that there was no anger or animosity between them. In their joint statement, the pair disclosed their decision to share no additional detail concerning their divorce with the public.
12. La La Anthony And Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo and La La Anthony have maintained an on-and-off relationship in the last decade, owing to numerous cheating scandals plaguing their marriage.
In June 2021, the “Power” actress filed for a divorce from her husband, citing irreconcilable differences. Sources close to the twosome confirmed they had been separated for a while before the divorce filings.
13. Zoe Kravitz And Karl Glusman
Actress Zoe Kravitz and Karl Glusman spent almost two years together since their marriage in 2019. Although they dated for over two years before tying the knot, they never had a chance to explore their marriage to the fullest.
Barely months after legalizing their union, the pandemic hit the world like a storm, forcing them, like other couples, to quarantine together.
Sadly, their relationship couldn’t withstand the test of time. Kravitz filed for divorce in December 2020, bringing an end to their 18 months marriage.
14. Kim Kardashian And Kanye West
In February 2021, news broke that Hollywood power couple Kim Kardashian and Kanye West were on the verge of a breakup.
The reports were not surprising, as news of their impending split had circulated the media for months. The “KUWTK” star filed for divorce from Kanye, requesting joint legal and physical custody of their kids.
Sources confirmed their split was amicable, and both agreed to the divorce terms. However, the father of four did a separate filing in April, citing irreconcilable differences. Like the beauty mogul, he requested joint legal and physical custody of the kids.
Despite their split, the pair continued supporting each other and exchanging heartfelt tributes on social media during special milestones. Their amicable relationship has created speculations that they were working on rekindling their romance.
The speculations became more pronounced after Kardashian showed up at Kanye’s third Donda listening event in a wedding dress.
Although sources have since put the rumors to rest, saying they were simply “family forever,” these two are likely to pull a “Cardi-B and Offset” on us!
