There's still a few days to go before we can call 2023 a wrap, but from what we've seen so far, when it comes to Hollywood, it's been a tough year for love. Some of our favorite celebrity couples have gone their separate ways this year, and although we definitely saw a few of these splits coming, many of them seemingly came out of nowhere. There was more drama going on behind the scenes for these stars than we ever could have imagined!
Considering that many of us have invested significant time in following along with these couples' love stories, whether it's on social media or in interviews, it makes sense that we'd feel personally involved when news of a particularly rough celebrity breakup happens. How are we supposed to believe in love if Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello are no longer together?!
Read on for the most surprising celebrity splits of 2023. Somebody protect Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds at all costs!
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Taylor Swift & Joe Alwyn
After more than six years together, fans were shocked to find out that shortly after Taylor Swift kicked off her wildly popular Eras Tour in March, she and longtime boyfriend Joe Alwyn had decided to go their separate ways.
"Joe has struggled with Taylor's level of fame and the attention from the public," a source close to the former couple told People. "The differences in their personalities have also become harder to ignore after years together. They've grown apart."
The good news is that Taylor has since moved on in a big way and seems happier than ever with new boyfriend Travis Kelce!
Ariana Grande & Dalton Gomez
After two years of marriage, in July 2023 we found out that Ariana Grande and Dalton Gomez were getting divorced … and it came with of a bit of a scandal, considering that it was revealed that Ariana had started dating her Wicked costar, Ethan Slater — who was also married — at the same time. Uh oh …
Britney Spears & Sam Asghari
It seems 2023 was a year of highs and lows for Britney Spears. On the positive side, her memoir The Woman in Me was a massive bestseller and gave her the chance to finally tell her side of the story. On the down side, she and husband Sam Asghari split in August after six years together.
Sofia Vergara & Joe Manganiello
Even though, by all appearances, Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello seemed to still be going strong after seven years of marriage, these two also called it quits this summer.
"We have made the difficult decision to divorce. As two people that love and care for one another very much, we politely ask for respect of our privacy at this time as we navigate this new phase of our lives," the statement from the couple read.
Joshua Jackson & Jodie Turner-Smith
Well, Pacey is single again! We always thought Joshua Jackson and Jodie Turner-Smith seemed like couple goals, so we were stunned when they announced their plans to divorce. The two, who have been married for three years, shared that they were splitting in October but plan to share custody of their daughter.
Natalie Portman & Benjamin Millepied
Though there were rumors earlier in the year that Benjamin had cheated on Natalie, it seemed the couple had chosen to stick together and work things out … until it became clear that they had not. In July 2023, they reportedly decided to separate, with an insider telling Us Weekly, "After news of his affair came out, they’ve been trying to work on their marriage but are currently on the outs."
Hugh Jackman & Deborra-Lee Furness
Hugh Jackman and Debora-Lee Furness have been married for 27 years, which is basically the equivalent of FOREVER in Hollywood years. The two revealed that they were separated in September 2023 but seem to be determined to stay friends. Debora-Lee was even spotted at his birthday party in October, so that seems promising!
Kyle Richards & Mauricio Umansky
Another couple that have been together a long time (27 years!) but who hit a rough patch in 2023 is Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kyle Richards and realtor husband Mauricio Umansky. The couple are separated but haven't filed for divorce yet and seems like they might still be trying to work on their relationship … or at least to look like that while the cameras are rolling!
Joe Jonas & Sophie Turner
One of the more surprising and spicy splits this year was between Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner. The two, who had been married for four years when they decided to split in September, quickly started fighting about child custody and where they'll raise their two daughters. With lots of gossip (and a cameo from Taylor Swift), this one was on the road to being a battle, but the couple seems to have come to an understanding for now. Hopefully they'll figure out how to best co-parent across two countries, as Sophie hopes to reside in England long-term.
Kaitlyn Bristowe & Jason Tartick
Fans had been speculating that this Bachelor Nation couple had decided to end their engagement, but it was still pretty shocking when they announced the sad news themselves in an Instagram post.
"Continuing our friendship is incredibly important to both of us. We feel grateful to be ending our engagement with love and respect for each other. It’s heartbreaking and sad to say goodbye, but our care and admiration for one another will never die," their joint statement shared.
Sophia Bush & Grant Hughes
Considering that they had only been married for one year — and had seemed so in love when celebrating their first anniversary just a month earlier — fans were shocked to hear Sophia Bush had filed for divorce from Grant Hughes in July 2023. Later, it was revealed that their separation began just two weeks after their anniversary.
Maren Morris & Ryan Hurd
Musical couple Maren Morris and Ryan Hurd stopped making music with each other in October 2023. Morris filed for divorce after five years (and one child) together, citing that old standard of "irreconcilable differences" as the cause for the split.
Halsey & Alev Ayden
After three years together and becoming parents to their son, Ender, Halsey split with Alev Aydin in April. At the time, Billboard reported that their split was "amicable" and that Halsey had filed for primary physical custody of Ender so he would be able to join his mom for any travel.
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Kevin Costner & Christine Baumgartner
Because they are getting divorced after 18 years of marriage (and three children together), it was clear early on that Kevin Costner's split from Christine Baumgartner wasn't going to be an easy one. At first, she refused to leave their family home, which was supposed to go to Kevin in the divorce, and the situation has continued to unravel from there.
Reese Witherspoon & Jim Toth
In March, Reese Witherspoon and Jim Toth announced they were going their separate ways after almost 12 years of marriage. Reportedly, the split was due to a "midlife crisis" that Jim was going through, and behind the scenes, it was suggested the split had been a long time coming.
Tom Sandoval & Ariana Madix
The situation between Vanderpump Rules stars Ariana Madix and Tom Sandoval was so scandalous that it's still being dissected months later. The reality TV couple had an explosive breakup after it was revealed that Tom had been cheating with the couple's costar and friend, Raquel Leviss. Reportedly, Tom and Ariana still live together.
Ricky Martin & Jwan Yosef
Ricky Martin and Jwan Yosef split after six years of marriage in July, sharing a statement about their breakup with People.
"We have decided to end our marriage with love, respect and dignity for our children and honoring what we have experienced as a couple all these wonderful years," the statement said. "Our greatest desire now is to continue having a healthy family dynamic and a relationship centered on peace and friendship to continue the joint upbringing of our children, preserving the respect and love we have for each other."
Tori Spelling & Dean McDermott
After years of breakup rumors, Tori and Dean finally decided to end things in June, with Dean taking to Instagram to share a message on a since-deleted post.
"It's with great sadness and a very very heavy heart that after 18 years together and 5 amazing children, that @torispelling and I have decided to go our separate ways, and start a new journey of our own," he wrote.
Ryan & Mackenzie Edwards
Earlier this year, Teen Mom stars Ryan and Mackenzie Edwards' marriage met a difficult end when Ryan was arrested on charges related to domestic violence against her and then later violated the order of protection she had against him. Ryan allegedly threatened Mackenzie after he believed that she had cheated on him.
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Kylie Jenner & Travis Scott
In January, Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott kicked off the year by deciding that they were officially moving on from their on-again, off-again relationship after having two children together.
"Kylie and Travis are off again, they were supposed to spend the holidays together, but she went to Aspen to be with her family and friends up there," a source told Us Weekly at the time. "This has happened so many times before, they’re known to be on again off again, but always remain friends and great coparents."
Chase Chrisley & Emmy Medders
Amid his family's legal battle that landed parents Todd and Julie behind bars, Chase Chrisley suffered another blow this summer: the end of his engagement to Emmy Medders nine months after he popped the question.
"We both agreed to part ways and move on with our lives separately. Thank you for respecting our privacy," Chase wrote in his Instagram Stories in July.
Chris Appleton & Lukas Gage
Chris Appleton is the longtime hairstylist and friend of Kim Kardashian. Apparently her penchant for short marriages has rubbed off on him, because in November 2023 he filed for divorce from husband Lukas Gage after a whopping six months of not-so-wedded bliss!
Eric McCormack & Janet Holden
Will & Grace star Eric McCormack has led a pretty low-profile life, so we were surprised when it was announced that he and Janet Holden, his wife of 26 years, were calling it quits. The couple have one child together, a 21-year-old son, so at least they won't have to deal with nasty custody battles.
