Thandiwe Newton and writer-director husband of 23 years reportedly separate, plus more celebrity splits of 2022 | Gallery
By Jessica Wedemeyer
8:01am PDT, Apr 24, 2022
_
Wonderwall.com is taking a look back at all the celebrity couples who called it quits in 2022 — or whose breakups came to light this year — starting with this pair… Page Six reported on April 14 that, according to a source, actress Thandiwe Newton and her husband of 23 years, filmmaker Ol Parker, “have separated.” A second source said that the couple “have been struggling for a while.” On April 19, the “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again” writer-director was snapped leaving his home in London without his wedding ring. The following day, Page Six reported that in the wake of the split, the actress, 49, had grown close to musician Lonr (real name: Elijah Dias) — who’s 23 and just two years older than her eldest child, daughter Ripley. (The New York Post’s gossip column stopped short of stating that their relationship was romantic in nature.) When asked for comment, Lonr said, “From the relatively short time I’ve been fortunate to spend with her, I know Thandiwe and Oliver care deeply about the welfare of their children. That’s all I care about right now.”
Now keep reading for more celeb splits of 2022…
RELATED: The shortest celebrity marriages
_
“The Real Housewives of Potomac” star Ashley Darby and husband Michael Darby, a real estate developer, have split, she announced on April 19. “Almost eight years ago, when Michael and I said ‘I do,’ we anticipated sharing every single day together from that moment forward. Unfortunately, that is not our current reality. We have decided to separate,” she told Bravo’s The Daily Dish. “We are aware that there will be many speculative views as to why we have made this decision. People will be quick to assume that the causes were too much intrusion by reality TV into the most personal parts of our lives, age gap issues, cultural problems, or child-rearing differences.” Ashley continued, “Pieces of all these may have affected our pure love for each other, but no one reason is the root cause of our mutual decision to go our separate ways. We are now both at very different stages in our lives and have different goals for our futures. We both want the other to achieve true happiness and fulfillment and feel that we cannot do this together.” The pair share two sons, Dean and Dylan.
RELATED: Notorious celeb cheating scandals
_
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter that hit the internet on April 15, “Russian Doll” star Natasha Lyonne confirmed rumors that she and “Saturday Night Live” and “Portlandia” alum Fred Armisen had recently split after eight years as a couple. When asked if she’s currently based in Los Angeles, Natasha replied, “I’m not. I had been living there with Fred during COVID. I honestly think we broke up because I wanted a swimming pool. We love each other just about as much as two people can love each other and we’re still talking all the time, but Freddy doesn’t like a swimming pool. It might seem like a mundane reason for a breakup, but during that pandemic, you’ve got to get your laps.”
RELATED: The most shocking celebrity breakups
_
On April 11, a rep for “Glee” alum Amber Riley confirmed to E! News that the singer-actress recently ended her engagement to Desean Black. Amber, who announced their engagement in late 2020, first alluded to the split during an appearance on a March episode of the “Nice & Neat” podcast on which she referred to herself as a “single Black female” and said the breakup was “amicable” and that she wishes her ex “the best.” Added the performer, “I don’t have anything horrible or bad to say.”
_
People magazine broke the news on April 12 that comedian Ali Wong and her husband of seven years, Justin Hakuta — a Fulbright scholar and Harvard Business School grad who’s the son of Japanese American inventor Ken Hakuta aka Dr. Fad — recently called it quits. “It’s amicable and they will continue to co-parent lovingly,” a source said of the former couple, who share two daughters. A rep for the “American Housewife” actress later confirmed the split.
_
Us Weekly reported on April 8 that, according to a source, “The Fosters” and “Good Trouble” star Maia Mitchell ended her six-year romance with actor Rudy Mancuso “a few months ago.”
_
It’s over — again — for Billy Ray Cyrus and wife Tish Cyrus. Tish filed for divorce from the “Achy Breaky” heart” and “Old Town Road” hitmaker in Tennessee during the first week of April, TMZ reported on April 11. They’ve been married for 28 years but in her divorce docs, TMZ reported, Tish said she and Billy Ray — who share five adult children — haven’t lived together in two years. She listed “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for the split and asked a judge to equally distribute their marital assets. Billy Ray previously filed for divorce in 2010, but they reconciled, and in 2013, Tish filed, only to call it off too. On April 11, she and Billy Ray issued a joint statement that was shared with People magazine. “It is after 30 years, five amazing children and a lifetime of memories, we have decided to go our separate ways — not with sadness, but with love in our hearts,” they wrote. “We have grown up together, raised a family we can be so proud of, and it is now time to create our own paths.” They continued, “We will always be family and look forward to a continued and loving shared experience as friends and parents. We have not come to this decision lightly or quickly but with so much going on in the world, we wanted to provide some clarity and closure, so we can remain focused on what is important. With Love and Hope… Tish and Billy Ray Cyrus.”
_
It’s over for “Saturday Night Live” star Kenan Thompson and his wife, Christina Evangeline. TMZ reported on April 7 that the longest-running “SNL” cast member and the interior designer, who’ve been together for nearly 15 years and married for 11 of them, have split. Sources told the webloid that Kenan and Christina, who share daughters Georgia and Gianna, have been separated for more than a year now. In recent months, Kenan’s been in Los Angeles working on his show “Kenan” and flying back to New York City for “SNL” tapings, while Christina has been in NYC.
_
On April 1, The Sun reported that Oscar nominee Andrew Garfield and model Alyssa Miller, who were first publicly linked in the fall of 2021, had split. “Andrew and Alyssa were a really beautiful couple and things were going great at first. They were together for quite some time before they went public, but work schedules mean it has been really hard to see each other,” a source explained. “On top of that it became clear that there were some differences between them and it was decided they are better off apart, for now at least.” After some debate about whether the split would stick — fueled by Alyssa’s April 4 Instagram post that appeared to contradict breakup reports (she posted a selfie with the “Spider-Man” star captioned “If you must gossip at least use a cute photo. Lol love you AG.”) — other outlets confirmed it really was over. “They ended the relationship amicably a number of weeks ago,” a source told Page Six on April 6.
_
This one’s a shocker! “Vanderpump Rules” stars Tom Schwartz and Katie Maloney-Schwartz confirmed rumors of a split on March 15, nearly six years after tying the knot on television in 2016… though they didn’t file the official paperwork to legalize their marriage until 2019 (a topic that came up often on their Bravo show). Both reality stars took to social media to share the sad news, putting out their own respective statements after being together 12 years. Katie noted there were “no sides to choose,” while Tom alluded to the split not really being his choice, writing, “Fully respect Katie’s decision… If would be far sadder if she decided to stay with me whilst not happy.”
_
Rosanna Arquette’s fourth husband, investment banker Todd Morgan, filed for divorce on March 9, TMZ reported. The couple were married for eight and a half years and, according to Todd’s filing, separated on Jan. 1, 2022. He’s asked that neither he nor the “Desperately Seeking Susan” actress and “Searching for Debra Winger” director be awarded spousal support and that both pay their own legal fees.
_
“Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles” star Josh Flagg and his husband of four and a half years, Bobby Boyd, are divorcing, they announced on social media on March 4. “This might sound abrupt but I felt I should be transparent from the top rather than bury the headline. This was not a rash or impulsive decision. We have been very thoughtful before coming to this conclusion,” Josh wrote on Instagram. “It was not a lack of love but rather the two of us growing in different directions and wanting different things for ourselves. I care deeply about Bobby and have nothing but love and respect for him. I want how we separate from each other to represent that.” Bobby added in a post of his own, “If there is one thing I can say about both of us, it’s that we both gave everything we absolutely could to make this work. Unfortunately, as we have learned, sometimes love isn’t enough.”
_
On March 4, People magazine reported that former NASCAR driver Danica Patrick and boyfriend Carter Comstock, the co-founder and CIO of Freshly, are no longer dating. “We were together for a while, and unfortunately it didn’t work, but it doesn’t mean that it wasn’t a really fun time and we didn’t do a lot of really amazing things,” Danica told the magazine of their breakup, which she said took place a few months earlier. “It doesn’t mean that there’s something wrong with either of us. It’s just a matter of finding someone who you can stand the test of time with.” The pair took their romance public in April 2021 — less than a year after Danica split from NFL star Aaron Rodgers — after being set up by the co-founders of wellness brand Beam, a company in which both are investors.
_
On Feb. 28, wrestling legend Hulk Hogan confirmed that he divorced second wife Jennifer McDaniel, whom he married in 2010, and has been enjoying life with someone new. “Yo Maniacs just for the record, the Facebook and Instagram posts are of me and my girlfriend Sky, I am officially divorced, sorry I thought everyone already knew, love my Maniacs4Life,” he shared on social media. TMZ Sports, citing court records, confirmed that Hulk filed for divorce in October 2021 and that it’s already been finalized.
_
Just a few weeks after social media influencer and model Paige Lorenze shared a PDA-packed photo of herself with her boyfriend, controversial country music star Morgan Wallen, on Instagram in February — finally confirming reports that they were dating — she ended things, Page Six reported on Feb. 27. “She suspected he was cheating on her with multiple people,” a source told Page Six. “After they went public, Paige started getting all these messages on Instagram from girls saying, ‘I was with him. We slept together.'” The DMs quickly “snowballed, and it got to a point where it was just too much” for her, said the source, adding, “She’s heartbroken.” A second source confirmed to Page Six that Morgan “is indeed single and focused on being a dad” to his 1-year-old son, Indigo, with ex-fiancée Katie Smith. Morgan and Paige were first romantically linked in the summer of 2021 but reports later confirmed they actually started dating far earlier and had been a couple for nearly a year by the time Paige — who made headlines in early 2021 when she went public with allegations that actor Armie Hammer abused her during their relationship — made things Instagram official.
_
HuffPost U.K. published a statement from ABBA singer Björn Ulvaeus and estranged wife Lena Kallersjö on Feb. 23 announcing that they’ve split after 41 years of marriage. “After many wonderful and eventful years, we have decided to go our separate ways. We remain close friends and will continue to celebrate our grandchildren’s birthdays and other family holidays together,” they said.
_
On Feb. 23, TMZ broke the news that “Dancing With the Stars” pro dancer Cheryl Burke filed to divorce actor Matthew Lawrence in Los Angeles earlier in the month after less than three years of marriage. According to the webloid, she listed their date of separation as Jan. 7, 2022, cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split and indicated they have a prenup. On Feb. 24, Cheryl broke her silence on the split, writing on Instagram, “I know I have always said that I’m an open book with you guys, I do strive to be, and in writing this I’ve realized there isn’t really an easy way to announce that my marriage is ending. I hope you can understand that I will not be commenting any further at this time and am asking for privacy. Thank you all for all the kind words & support you’ve given me—love you all. Xx Cheryl.”
_
After nearly five years of marriage, country music star Sam Hunt’s wife, Hannah Lee Fowler, filed for divorce in Tennessee on Feb. 18, TMZ reported on Feb. 21. The reason? Court papers revealed Hannah claims Sam is “guilty of inappropriate marital conduct” and “guilty of adultery.” On top of the shocking split, court papers further revealed that Hannah is pregnant and due in May (the pair had not previously shared that they were expecting a child). Hannah asked the court to award her alimony, primary custody of their baby and child support. Days later, it was revealed that she withdrew her divorce petition just a few hours after filing it. TMZ later clarified, however, that she simply filed for divorce in the wrong county, so her lawyers remedied the situation by refiling in the correct jurisdiction.
_
A year after announcing their engagement just months after starting a secret pandemic romance in 2020, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and “Big Little Lies” actress Shailene Woodley split, In Touch reported on Feb. 16. “While Shailene is supportive of Aaron’s career, he put football first and they were barely spending any time together,” an insider told the magazine. “She felt he neglected their relationship. Neither of them was happy.” According to a second insider, the pair just “couldn’t make it work … There were too many obstacles. They’re both adults and decided to part amicably.” A source close to the NFL star similarly told People magazine, “It was an amicable split; it just wasn’t working. They’re very different people with busy careers and there were obstacles that they couldn’t surmount. They will remain friendly; there’s no bad blood and no drama. It just didn’t work out for them.” But in the days that followed, Aaron seemed to hint that they might be back on. On Feb. 21, he shared on Instagram, “@shailenewoodley, thanks for letting me chase after you the first couple months after we met, and finally letting me catch up to you and be a part of your life. Thanks for always having my back, for the incredible kindness you show me and everyone you meet, and for showing me what unconditional love looks like, I love you and am grateful for you.” The following day, he gushed about his relationship with the Emmy nominee on the Feb. 22 episode of “The Pat McAfee Show.” And days later, the pair were spotted together at a friend’s wedding in California before they took a brief trip to Florida together.
_
Chef Michael Castellon revealed in a Feb. 19 interview with Closer that he and Food Network star Alex Guarnaschelli, who got engaged in 2020, recently broke up. “Wishing her nothing but the best,” he said.
_
On Feb. 14, a rep for Julia Fox — the “Uncut Gems” actress who kicked off a headline-making affair with Kanye West after they met in Miami on New Year’s Eve — released a statement announcing that she and the rapper “remain good friends and collaborators” but are “no longer together.” She briefly addressed the breakup in a since-deleted post on her Instagram Story, writing, “Kanye and I are on good terms! I have love for him but I wasn’t in love with the man. … What do you think I am, 12 years old?!” Less than a week earlier, the New York Post’s gossip column reported that, according to a source, Julia and Ye were in an “open relationship.” Explained the source, “Their bond transcends typical norms because they’re evolved beings who just want each other to be happy. There is no jealousy or bad vibes.” They were, however, surrounded by plenty of “bad vibes” as Kanye and ex-wife Kim Kardashian spent the bulk of early February publicly feuding over their four children. Ye also made headlines in mid-February for publicly bashing Kim’s new boyfriend, Pete Davidson.
_
It’s over for Hoda Kotb and fiancé Joel Schiffman after eight years together. The “Today” show host and the financier got engaged in 2019 — the same year they adopted their second child together, Hope, after brining home daughter Haley in 2017. Hoda announced her split on her NBC morning show on Jan. 31, noting that people had been wondering why she hasn’t been wearing her engagement ring, People magazine reported. “Joel and I have had a lot of prayerful and meaningful conversations over the holidays and we decided that we are better as friends and parents than we are as an engaged couple, so we decided we are going to start this new year on our new path as loving parents to our adorably delightful children and as friends,” she explained. “It’s not like something happened. They say sometimes relationships are meant to be there for a reason, a season or a lifetime, this was for a season.”
_
The rumors were true: On Jan. 24, People magazine published a joint statement from Bachelor Nation’s Maurissa Gunn and Riley Christian — who got engaged on season 7 of “Bachelor in Paradise” in 2021 — confirming they’d recently called it quits. “We have decided to go our separate ways. Never did we imagine this, but we’ve come to a point where we both need to work on ourselves,” they said. It’s unclear when exactly they ended their relationship.
_
On Jan. 24 — about a week after Princess Cristina of Spain’s husband of 24 years, Inaki Urdangarin, was photographed holding hands with another woman, Ainhoa Armentia, in France — the royals released a joint statement announcing that “by mutual agreement,” they’d “decided to break off our marriage.” According to Britain’s Express newspaper, Inaki acknowledged the implication of the photos, telling a group of reporters, “These things happen. It is a difficulty that we will manage with the utmost tranquility and together as we have always done.” ¡HOLA! reported that Cristina — the younger of King Felipe VI of Spain’s two older sisters — “already knew” about her estranged husband’s new relationship before the photos hit the Internet (see them here).
—
On Jan. 21, People magazine reported that Emma Roberts and Garrett Hedlund had ended their nearly three-year romance a few weeks earlier following a few rough months. “It’s sad, and they are trying their best to co-parent. It’s been hard,” said an insider of the former couple, who welcomed son Rhodes in December 2020. A source shared a similar sentiment with “Entertainment Tonight,” saying the relationship “has been rocky for a long time and the situation is really sad right now.” Two days after the breakup news made headlines, Garrett was arrested for public intoxication in Franklin County, Tennessee.
—
On Jan. 20, Rolling Stone broke the news that Pamela Anderson and her husband of about a year, Dan Hayhurst, quietly called it quits. A source described the relationship as a “pandemic whirlwind” romance that simply ran its course. (Pam’s rep later confirmed the news to People magazine.) Us Weekly‘s sources said the pair hadn’t “been getting along” and ultimately decided to take some “time apart.” Explained one insider, “Pamela rushed into [the] marriage. … She saw the marriage as a fresh start, but the spark has faded.” While the actress was “having regrets” about the union, her estranged husband “really wants to make the marriage work,” said the insider. A second Us Weekly source said that “Pam left Dan … without a single goodbye” after the holidays. An E! news source, meanwhile, said “there was no straw that broke the camel’s back” but rather that Dan “is not the man she hoped he was.” The “Baywatch” beauty has been married six times to five different men: Tommy Lee, Kid Rock, Rick Salomon, Jon Peters and Dan. Pam maintains her 2020 union with Jon was never legally binding, and she married Rick Salomon twice — first in 2007 and then in late 2013 or early 2014.
—
On Jan. 12, Jason Momoa took to Instagram to announce that he and Lisa Bonet were “parting ways in marriage” after more than four years as husband and wife and more than 15 years as a couple. “The love between us carries on, evolving in ways it wishes to be known and lived. We free each other to be who we are learning to become,” he wrote. An E! News source later shed some light on what went wrong: Amid a big boom in the “Aquaman” star’s career, he and the former teen idol realized they “wanted different things” in life and ultimately “drifted apart.” (Lisa reportedly prefers a quieter lifestyle focused on health and wellness at her home in Los Angeles, while Jason is “very focused on his career and wants to work.”)
—
On Jan. 10, MailOnline broke the news that model Delilah Belle Hamlin and her boyfriend of nearly three years, “Love Island” alum Eyal Booker, quietly called it quits in late 2021. “Delilah ended her relationship with Eyal before New Year’s Eve. It was important to her that 2022 could be a fresh start and right now she wants to be single and focus on her career,” said a source. An Us Weekly source, meanwhile, said that the breakup came as “a shock to some of their closest friends” because “they were so in love” and had just spent the holidays together with her family.
—
On Jan. 18, People magazine broke the news that “Straight Outta Compton” actor Keith Powers and “Star” actress Ryan Destiny had called it quits after four years of coupledom. “They’re taking time to focus on themselves and their emerging careers but are remaining close friends,” said a source.
—
On Jan. 5, Us Weekly broke the news that, according to a source, Chanel Iman and Sterling Shepard were “getting divorced.” TMZ later confirmed the professional football player quietly filed to legally end the marriage in June 2021. He and the Victoria’s Secret model tied the knot in 2018 and later welcomed two daughters.
—
On Jan. 9, Bachelor Nation’s Katie Morton — who competed for Colton Underwood’s heart on season 23 of “The Bachelor” in 2019 — announced on YouTube that she and English professional soccer player James Rowe called it quits in August 2021 following about a year of coupledom after he failed to sign with an American team. “There were a lot of things that came into play that put a lot of pressure on us, and ultimately we separated at the end of August,” she said, adding that at the time, they didn’t know when they’d see each other again. “This might be a bad timing thing. We still love each other. It’s not going how we had wanted it to,” she continued. “We both individually had things that we wanted to work on, and they weren’t lining up so ultimately it just wasn’t working out for us. … So anyway, we separated, and I would say it was a decently amicable split.” She also implied that her ex is suffering an “identity crisis” as his career as a professional athlete winds down — which he’ll need to navigate on his own.