In a normal, everyday world, when a couple breaks up, the worst that might happen is the two people involved in the split would become the center of gossip for a week or two within their own friendship circle. However, in the celebrity world, when a famous couple breaks up, the gossip can go on FOR YEARS.
Take the very public breakup of Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston (who was most likely soothed by her closest friends in order get over that tire fire of a breakup). The former couple divorced nearly two decades ago and we're STILL curious enough to look up how they're doing today.
If a couple lasts long enough to get one of those infamous Hollywood couple names, it's likely many are heavily invested in the relationship and watching it very closely. So, when the couple ends things, we, too, mourn the separation. So, without further ado, here are 10 celebrity couples who went through very public and very messy breakups.
10 Kim Kardashian And Kanye West
When news broke that America's favorite reality TV star Kim Kardashian and her husband, rapper Kanye West were divorcing after six years of marriage, people lost their marbles (except for some fans who believe it's all just a "storyline").
All signs were pointing to the inevitable announcement, especially in the gossip magazines who have been hyper-focused on West's mental health. Are fans right and this is all a ploy? Nonetheless, fans will likely get to see the breakup play out during the final season of Keeping Up With The Kardashians.
9 Brad Pitt And Angelina Jolie
It's a story of boy meets girl, boy falls in love with girl, boy marries girl, boy meets another girl, and so on and so on. This was the case with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, who met on the set of Mr. and Mrs. Smith while Pitt was still married to Jennifer Aniston. Years and multiple kids later, the famed Hollywood couple ended up announcing their separation in 2016.
8 Brad Pitt And Jennifer Aniston
When Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie announced their own separation, fans of Jennifer Aniston rejoiced, claiming the heartbroken former Friends star ended up getting the last laugh. "Bennifer"'s 2005 breakup, after seven years together, is still considered one of the most shattering splits, since the fallout took place in front of the eyes of the world and they were considered a "supercouple."
7 Kristen Stewart And Robert Pattinson
Twilight fans were thrilled when it was revealed that the saga's two leads, Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, were actually in love and in a real-life relationship. But what started out as giddy and new, quickly turned dark when Stewart had an affair with director Rupert Sanders, who directed her in the film Snow White and the Huntsman.
6 Ben Affleck And Jennifer Garner
During their 13 year marriage, Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck were considered one of Hollywood's favorite celebrity couples. So, rightfully, fans were devastated when they decided to separate. Affleck seemed to move on rather quickly with TV producer Lindsay Shookus and then again with actress Ana de Armas (whom he recently split up with as well.)
5 Tom Cruise And Katie Holmes
He announced his love for her to the world while jumping on Oprah's couch back in 2005, but Tom Cruise's relationship with Katie Holmes fizzled out after a very public seven-year relationship. Now, Holmes joins Nicole Kidman and Mimi Rogers (who, no, hasn't disappeared) in the "I divorced Tom Cruise" club.
4 Ryan Reynolds And Scarlett Johansson
Sure, in present day, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively are considered America's sweethearts, and Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost are living in wedded bliss, but at one point, Scarlett and Ryan were too a stunning couple. Many often forget that these two were married from 2008-2011 and had a very disappointing breakup in the public eye.
3 Justin Bieber And Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber had a very public on-and-off relationship with each other (a lot of which played out in front of everyone on social media with their "likes" and passive-aggressive comments). Jelena fans kept hope alive for this couple, that is until Bieber suddenly jumped into a relationship with Hailey Baldwin, a model he married in 2018. At least we were all gifted with many a great song from this tumultuous relationship, including Bieber's "Sorry" and Gomez's "Lose You to Love Me."
2 Ariana Grande And Pete Davidson
While Ariana Grande was known for having a very public relationship with the late Mac Miller, fans were sort of shocked when she and Saturday Night Live comedian Pete Davidson sparked a relationship. And, after only one month of dating, the two announced their engagement in 2018. However, just as quickly as it had began, the relationship was ended. The unique couple called it quits in October 2018.
1 Gwyneth Paltrow And Chris Martin
On paper, these two seemed like the perfect couple, but apparently, it wasn't all paradise for actress Gwyneth Paltrow and singer Chris Martin. Martin came along and married Paltrow in 2003, after her failed engagement with Brad Pitt and her fizzled relationship with Ben Affleck. But in 2015, Paltrow filed for divorce. While they're no longer together, it's said that the two still have a weekly dinner together and are co-parenting champs for their two kids, Apple and Moses.