Though 2021 has given us a few celebrity fairy tale love stories (hi, Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker), unfortunately it seems like there have been way more breakups — and when it comes to the Hollywood circus, they can definitely be messy. Some couples seem doomed from the start, but others truly shock us when they decide it's time to go their separate ways, especially if they never even gave off the vibe that there was any trouble going on behind the scenes.
From Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez ending their engagement to Kim Kardashian and Kanye West getting the divorce we both knew and never imagined was coming all at the same time, there have been a lot of rough breakups in the celeb relationship world this year. It's hard to narrow down the ones that made us the saddest!
Read on for the most shocking celebrity breakups of 2021. We're sure that we're in for more heartbreak in the coming year, but hopefully, 2022 has a bit more love and happiness in store for us all.
Camila Cabello & Shawn Mendes
After two years together, Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes announced in November 2021 that they were calling it quits. The singers took to Instagram to share a joint statement, writing: "We decided to end our romantic relationship but our love for one another as humans is stronger than ever. 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."
Tayshia Adams & Zac Clark
Not all Bachelor franchise relationships last, and unfortunately, Tayshia Adams and Zac Clark — who met on The Bachelorette — didn't end up living happily ever after. They broke off their engagement in November 2021, and while appearing on The Men Tell All special the following month, Tayshia admitted that she was "heartbroken."
Gigi Hadid & Zayn Malik
Fans were shocked when Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik broke up in October 2021 after her mother, Yolanda Hadid, accused Zayn of physically assaulting her during an argument. Since then, the situation has seemed tense as Gigi and Zayn have attempted to co-parent their young daughter, Khai.
Christine & Kody Brown
We never thought we'd see the day when one of Sister Wives star Kody Brown's wives decided to walk away, but it happened this year when Christine split off from the family. "After more than 25 years together, Kody and I have grown apart and I have made the difficult decision to leave," she shared on Instagram. "We will continue to be a strong presence in each other's lives as we parent our beautiful children and support our wonderful family."
John Mulaney & Anna Marie Tendler
The internet was up in arms after comedian John Mulaney and Anna Marie Tendler decided to end their marriage. And things only became more of a circus once news broke that not only did John move on with actress Olivia Munn, but that she was pregnant with their first child together. (Their baby boy reportedly arrived in November.)
Jana Kramer & Mike Caussin
After years of trying to repair their marriage after infidelity, Jana Kramer and Mike Caussin finally decided to throw in the towel. Jana shared the news on social media in April.
"I've fought y'all." she wrote. "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. Please know that I still believe wholeheartedly in marriage, love, and rebuilding. I just can't fight any longer. It's time to heal."
Jennifer Lopez & Alex Rodriguez
Just as they were planning their wedding, Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez decided not to stay together at all. In April, the couple officially called off their engagement, releasing a joint statement to People.
"We have realized we are better as friends and look forward to remaining so," their statement said. "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 is to say is thank you to everyone who has sent kind words and support."
Kim Kardashian & Kanye West
The end of 2020 saw the start of rumors that things weren't great in the Kardashian-West house, and in 2021, we found out that some of those rumors seemed to be true. Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, who is now known as Ye, announced their divorce in early 2021. She seemingly didn't officially file until December, reported TMZ.
Bill & Melinda Gates
As of 2021, this tech power couple is no more. In May, Bill and Melinda Gates announced their divorce after almost 30 years of marriage in a statement they shared via Twitter. "After a great deal of thought and a lot of work on our relationship, we have made the decision to end our marriage," they said.
Ben Affleck & Ana de Armas
One of Hollywood's favorite pandemic couples was no more as of early 2021. In January, a source revealed to People that Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas had gone their separate ways — which fortunately ended up leaving Ben single for the reunion with Jennifer Lopez that happened just a few months later.
Elon Musk & Grimes
Not long after welcoming their first child, Elon Musk and Grimes decided they're better off friends. In September 2021, they ended their three-year relationship, though Elon told Page Six at the time that they were on "great terms."
"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 LA.," he said. "She's staying with me now, and Baby X is in the adjacent room."
Kaley Cuoco & Karl Cook
In September, Kaley Cuoco and Karl Cook announced their split, saying in a statement to USA Today that their lives were taking them in different directions. "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," the statement said.
Common & Tiffany Haddish
Common and Tiffany Haddish broke up this year, but their respect for each other still exists, according to what Common said in an interview with Hollywood Unlocked Uncensored (via Page Six). "I don't think the love really dispersed," he said. "I think it was just like we weren't feeding the relationship."
Pete Davidson & Phoebe Dynevor
Pete Davidson's relationship with Phoebe Dynevor didn't last long — reportedly, they'd only dated for about five months — but that was still long enough for fans to get attached to the idea of them dating. According to what an insider told People, they ended things in August. And now Pete's rumored to have moved on with Kim Kardashian.
Shia LaBeouf & Margaret Qualley
Not long after they started dating, Shia LaBeouf and Maid star Margaret Qualley ended things in early January 2021. This happened shortly after FKA Twigs accused Shia of physical and sexual assault, and a month after the breakup news, Margaret seemed to thank FKA Twigs for speaking out in an Instagram post.
Clare Crawley & Dale Moss
Here's another Bachelorette relationship that bit the dust in 2021. Dale Moss and Clare Crawley, who met on her season of the show, also are no more. After a lot of ups and downs, these two split up for good in October. "It can get very messy and very icky, and I always try to err on the side of taking the high road, even when there are a lot of things I could say," Clare told Jana Kramer on her Whine Down podcast.
