Here Are 7 Women Who Shared Their Stories About Breaking Up With Their Partners Once They Became Very Famous
Model Gigi Paris, after three years with actor Glen Powell, ended their relationship amid his rising fame linked to dating rumors involving co-star Sydney Sweeney. Gigi explained that Glen agreed to embrace the speculation for PR, despite her discomfort, saying, “It was just, ‘This is what I have to do for my job.’ I had two options. I could either pretend like I was going along with everything and have everyone wonder, like, ‘Are they hooking up? Are they not hooking up? Is she okay with this? What the fuck?’ Or stand up for myself.” She added, “I just wanted respect, especially if it’s gonna be public. Like, don’t make an ass out of me.” Ultimately, she decided to walk away, feeling her ex handled the situation insensitively and publicly degrading her.
Before his relationship with Ariana Grande, Ethan Slater was with his high school sweetheart, psychologist Lily Jay. After their divorce, she wrote an essay for The Cut, revealing her feelings of shock and loss: “I really never thought I would get divorced. Especially not just after giving birth and in the shadow of my husband’s new relationship with a celebrity.” She reflected on the delicate balance of her private career and his fame, concluding, “Days when I can’t escape the promotion of a movie associated with the saddest days of my life are darker.” She expressed yearning for the anonymity she once had in her profession.
Chelsea Winstanley, a successful Māori producer and director, faced relationship turmoil when her ex-husband Taika Waititi’s career soared with Marvel. She shared that she resented the role of the dutiful wife, often feeling sidelined, especially when he was filming on the Gold Coast. “I didn’t want to be the dutiful wife and race over to sit in an apartment all day long,” she said, hinting that this imbalance contributed to their breakup. She also suggested infidelity, stating, “I didn’t know that until many years later.”
It’s widely believed that Chris Pratt’s rapid rise to international stardom contributed to his 2017 split from Anna Faris, who was initially better known. In her memoir, Faris spoke candidly about the strain: “I’m thrilled for him, but it’s hard not to feel self-doubt when my husband is acting with young women in big movies while I perform in a sitcom.” She also noted the emotional toll of navigating the relationship under the weight of fame, sharing that Chris questioned whether she felt pressured by the high-profile nature of their relationship.
Author Justine Musk, who was married to Elon Musk during his early entrepreneurial days, reflected on the power dynamics in their relationship. She wrote that Elon’s South African upbringing and wealth created an uncomfortable imbalance. “Elon’s judgment overruled mine, and he was constantly remarking on how he found me lacking,” she explained. She also revealed that he was quick to compare her to an employee, suggesting she was replaceable, which added strain to their marriage. Their relationship ended, and Musk later engaged with actress Talulah Riley shortly after.
Cynthia Lennon, wife of John Lennon, gave birth to their son amid the chaos of Beatlemania. In her memoir, she recalled being told to “stay away” from John by security, who thought she was a fan. She later revealed that John’s infidelities became numerous, especially after she caught him with Yoko Ono. “The truth is that if I’d known what falling for John would lead to, I would have turned around then and walked away,” she confessed.
Finally, Tom Cruise’s first marriage to Mimi Rogers occurred before his blockbuster success with Top Gun. She accepted her lower profile during their marriage, saying, “I was doing the work I wanted, and if I didn’t have the success he achieved, that was just luck.” However, she noted that their age difference was a source of frustration, with tabloids exaggerating it: “Every six months they seemed to add a year to my age. If Tom and I had stayed together, I’d probably be in my sixties by now.”
Any other high-profile examples come to mind? Feel free to share in the comments!
