It's easy to root for celebrity couples — especially the ones who seem truly head over heels for each other — so if you've gotten way too excited about a Hollywood engagement before, just know you're not the only one. But that just means that when it all comes crashing down, it hurts that much more, and there are so many broken engagements in the celebrity world that we can barely keep them all straight.
Through the years, plenty of celebs have decided that walking down the aisle with their partner wasn't a great idea, and it's good to know that they were able to figure that out before the wedding. Most recently, Shailene Woodley and Aaron Rodgers decided to go their separate ways after a whirlwind engagement, bumming out fans who had been looking forward to the truly adorable kids they would have had together.
But Shailene and Aaron are far from the only stars to make this difficult decision. Read on for 17 celebrity couples who called off their engagement before their wedding day. In the end, it appears all of these breakups were for the best.
Shailene Woodley & Aaron Rodgers
Considering that their engagement practically came out of left field in early 2021, maybe we shouldn't have been surprised that ultimately it didn't work out. This very private couple decided to go their separate ways less than two years after the start of their relationship, even though they still appear to be good friends. Maybe a reconciliation is in their future?
Jennifer Lopez & Alex Rodriguez
Fans were shocked when Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez called it quits in 2021 after they seemed like they were happy to head down the aisle — even though they were constantly plagued by cheating rumors. At least it paved the way for Jennifer to get back together with ex Ben Affleck, though, right?
And speaking of Ben Affleck …
Jennifer Lopez & Ben Affleck
Sure, things might be going well for Jennifer and Ben now, but when they dated the first time around? Not so much. After getting engaged, the Gigli costars ended things in 2004, and according to Page Six, it was because Jennifer felt like she had no other option because she was ready to settle down and Ben wasn't.
"Jennifer always saw Ben as the one that got away. She was crushed after they broke up, though she felt at the time that she had no other choice but to call off their engagement," a source said.
Ariana Grande & Pete Davidson
Things were moving fast for Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson in 2018 — between May and October of that year, they started dating, got engaged, and broke up. According to what Pete told Charlamagne Tha God in an interview, Mac Miller's unexpected death served as the catalyst for their split.
"I pretty much knew it was over after that," Pete said. "That was really horrible, and I can't imagine what that s— is like. All I do know is that she really loved the s— out of him, and she wasn't putting on a show or anything."
Sheryl Crow & Lance Armstrong
In the early 2000s, Sheryl Crow and Lance Armstrong were a total "it" couple, but it all unraveled in February 2006, fewer than six months after he popped the question.
"After much thought and consideration, we have made a very tough decision to split up," the couple said in a statement at the time (via Yahoo!). "We both have a deep love and respect for each other and we ask that everyone respect our privacy during this very difficult time."
Rob Kardashian & Blac Chyna
Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna's relationship was a total whirlwind. A quick engagement, a pregnancy, a reality show — it feels like a fever dream looking back at it. Their breakup in early 2016 was a dramatic one, with both of them hurling insults at each other via social media. In the end, it appears they're both doing their best to co-parent their daughter, Dream.
Rachel Bilson & Hayden Christensen
After almost a decade together (plus one daughter), Rachel Bilson and Hayden Christensen ended their engagement in September 2017. "She's full-time back in LA, he's in Toronto," a source told Us Weekly at the time of their split. "They've been on the outs for a couple of months. They are completely, officially done."
Hoda Kotb & Joel Schiffman
In January 2022, Today cohost Hoda Kotb announced that her engagement to longtime love Joel Schiffman had come to an end. "Joel and I have had a lot of prayerful and really meaningful conversations over the holidays, and we decided that we're better as friends and parents than we are as an engaged couple," she said on the show.
"So we decided that we are going to start this new year and begin it kind of on our new path as loving parents to our adorable, delightful children, and as friends."
Kanye West & Alexis Phifer
Before there was Kanye and Kim, there was Kanye and Alexis. In 2008, the rapper and fashion designer Alexis Phifer went their separate ways after getting engaged 18 months earlier.
"It's always sad when things like this end, and we remain friends," Alexis said at the time in a statement to People (via MTV). "I wish him the best in his future and all of his endeavors. He's one of the most talented people I've ever met."
Brad Pitt & Gwyneth Paltrow
We can't even imagine how different the landscape of Hollywood would look if these two had ended up working out! Brad Pitt and Gwyneth Paltrow were engaged in 1996, but a year later, they broke up — something the Goop founder has said was for the best.
"I loved every second of it, but it wasn't healthy. I wouldn't change anything. Even the things I hate most about myself for what happened — the darkest moment of it — I wouldn't change. Because it's made me what I am," she told Vanity Fair in 2000 (via NY Daily News).
Nikki Bella & John Cena
Before Nikki Bella was engaged to (and parenting a child with) Artem Chigvintsev, she was engaged to fellow wrestler John Cena, which obviously didn't work out. They broke things off in 2018 because of their different visions of the future.
"Even in the end when he was willing to give me kids, I could just tell, it's not what we wanted. And that's really, like, you know, what pushed me in the end," Nikki said on the Better Together podcast (via Us Weekly).
Demi Lovato & Max Ehrich
Demi Lovato shocked fans when they announced that they were engaged to Max Ehrich in 2020, but just a few months later, it all came to an end.
"It was a tough decision, but Demi and Max have decided to go their separate ways to focus on their respective careers," a source told People at the time. "They have respect and love for one another and will always cherish the time they spent together."
Taraji P. Henson & Kelvin Hayden
In October 2020, Taraji P. Henson announced that she and Kelvin Hayden had ended their engagement two years after he asked her to marry him.
"I tried. I was like, 'Therapy. Let's do the therapy thing.' But if you're both not on the same page with that, then you feel like you're taking it on yourself, and that's not a fair position for anybody to play in a relationship," she said during an interview with The Breakfast Club (via Us Weekly).
Ryan Reynolds & Alanis Morissette
It's hard to imagine a world where Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively aren't married, so maybe it's for the best that his engagement to Alanis Morissette didn't work out. In 2008, they split — three years after Ryan proposed — and supposedly, Alanis' song "Torch" is about him.
Lady Gaga & Christian Carino
In February 2019, Lady Gaga and Christian Carino called off their engagement — even after he gave her a seriously impressive diamond ring. "It just didn’t work out. Relationships sometimes end," a source told People. "There's no long dramatic story."
Britney Spears & Jason Trawick
Before there was Sam Asghari, Britney Spears and her former agent, Jason Trawick, were engaged. But a year later, they broke things off, with her rep saying the decision was mutual.
"Jason and I have decided to call off our engagement. I'll always adore him, and we will remain great friends," Britney said in a statement to ABC News at the time.
Emma Roberts & Evan Peters
It seemed like a fairy tale romance for American Horror Story costars Emma Roberts and Evan Peters, but their on-again, off-again relationship ultimately came to an end in 2019 after things reportedly turned "toxic."
"Evan was so in love with Emma, and their relationship became very toxic," a source told Us Weekly. "They had the highest highs and then would not speak for days. He took a long time figuring himself out again before he was ready to date."
