Stars Who Stayed With Cheating Husbands
There are lots of reasons women stay with cheaters: financial security, shame, gaslighting, low self-esteem, a fear of being alone, not believing that she can do any better, and, in some cases, the potential damage a divorce can do to her brand (as sad as that is). Famous women aren't exempt from those feelings, even if they're gorgeous, beloved by the public, massively successful, and filthy rich in their own right. (In fact, a few of the celebrity women who were victims of infidelity on this list are much more successful than their trifling husbands, which may have made those man-babies insecure enough to stray to prove their own masculinity.)
Whether these guys claimed that their marriages or relationships were "on a break," or if they gaslit their spouses enough to blame themselves (unfortunately, this is all too common), these stars all stood by their men when their men stepped out with another woman ... and sometimes a lot of other women.
Dwyane Wade's truly foul shot got another woman pregnant
Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade were newly engaged when it was revealed that he'd gotten another woman named Aja Metoyer pregnant. Metoyer gave birth to Wade's son, Xavier, six weeks earlier in November 2013, and the couple claimed they were on a break when the child was conceived ... but TMZ brought up some receipts from Union's Instagram account that make it seem like Wade was just outright cheating, not in a Ross and Rachel situation. Union posted lovey-dovey images and captions in February 2013, nine months before Xavier's birth, and didn't seem to get bummed out or cryptic until April of that year.
Despite the baby mama drama and the shady timeline, Union and Wade's union went on as planned and they tied the knot in August 2014. Wade later said in his 2020 ESPN documentary D. Wade: Life Unexpected (via Entertainment Tonight), "Hardest thing I've ever had to do is man up and tell Gabrielle Union that I've had a child with somebody else. I couldn't sleep. I wasn't eating." He continued, "When you hold something in that you know is going to come out and you have this information and you know it's gonna f**k somebody's life up, that you care about, that you love, if it don't hurt you, then you're not human. Me and Gab just went through something that you never want to go through and we still came out of it."
What goes around came around for Tori Spelling in her marriage to Dean McDermott
Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott's relationship began on the set of a Lifetime movie when they were both married to other people, so she shouldn't have been shocked when karma came knocking. Spelling and McDermott wed in 2006, and in 2013, Us Weekly reported that the Chopped Canada host hooked up with a woman named Emily Goodhand. In January 2014, McDermott checked into rehab, and the couple later chronicled the fallout and rebuilding from his cheating scandal in one of what seems like a dozen of their reality shows together, this one called True Tori.
By 2015, they were happy again, or at least acting like it. McDermott told Extra of the scandal, "Tragedy and going through bad things, sometimes it can really help and it really did, it really made us look at what was going on with our relationship and we took a lot of great stuff away from a horrible, horrible experience and our relationship is solid." He also admitted that he wanted to take their marriage away from the cameras, but they can't seem to help themselves: In 2016, he proposed to Spelling in a definitely-not-staged moment in Paris.
They're still together and are now parents of five, perhaps because of a telling Spelling interview: In 2016, she confessed of the cheating scandal, "This was affecting me on many levels, not just the personal level. This is my career; this is, I hate saying it, my brand."
Kendra Wilkinson didn't flush her marriage away amid Hank Baskett's cheating scandal
Another star who chose to air her cheating scandal on reality television: Kendra Wilkinson. The Girls Next Door alum fought with then-husband Hank Baskett after it was reported that he had hooked up with a transgender model in 2014. She was eight months pregnant with their second child at the time of the scandal, and infamously flushed her wedding rings down the toilet. The fallout was featured on their hit series, Kendra on Top, as well as a spin-off show, Watch It with Kendra and Hank, in which they re-watched Kendra on Top from their bedroom. (Sigh.)
Baskett finally addressed the rumors the following year, telling People that he was simply fondled by one of two transgender women while looking to score some marijuana. "I didn't engage in anything," he claimed. "It was like a bank robbery. You never know when you'll freeze. I don't know if it was a couple of seconds or 15 seconds, because all I was saying was get out, get out, get out." Baskett added, "I messed up. I put myself in a bad situation. And everything through me brought pain upon this family." For her part, Wilkinson initially stayed with Baskett, but told Us Weekly, "It's going to take a lifetime to trust him again."
The couple went on to work on rebuilding their relationship, attending couples therapy, and even appearing on Marriage Boot Camp together in 2017. However, after 10 years of marriage — and four years after the cheating scandal first broke — Wilkinson filed for divorce in April 2018.
David Boreanaz was far from an angel to wife Jaime Bergman
David Boreanaz was far from an angel during the first decade of his marriage to Playboy model Jaime Bergman — and it nearly cost him big time. In 2010, the Buffy the Vampire Slayer star confessed to People that he was the target of an extortion plot and had been cheating on Bergman. "I haven't been faithful to my wife. Our marriage has been tainted with my infidelities. I was irresponsible," he said. Though he didn't name the woman in question, Boreanaz added she was looking for a six-figure sum to keep their affair out of the media. However, the outlet reported that he'd been "linked" to Rachel Uchitel, who infamously hooked up with Tiger Woods during his marriage to Elin Nordegren.
The mystery woman wasn't alone, Bergman noted. "She believes David loved her, and she's claiming she didn't know there were other mistresses involved," Bergman said. "She feels entitled to something ... It's not going to work with us." The couple blamed Boreanaz's work schedule for their lack of connection and Bergman self-flagellated, saying there was "neglect" on her part in the marriage.
With the help of a lot of therapy (couples' and individual sessions for Boreanaz), they eventually made it work, with Boreanaz telling TV Week (via Access Hollywood) that the affair wound up being "a bonding experience, in the long run."
Offset invaded other women's privacy while married to Cardi B
In January 2018, rumors surfaced that Offset cheated on wife Cardi B, and the Invasion of Privacy rapper reportedly begged for understanding and respect for her privacy. That October, Cardi admitted to W Magazine that she'd had trust issues with Offset for a while, even when they were supposed to be in their honeymoon phase. "When I got married with my dude, we still had a lot of doubts, because our relationship is not like everybody's. He was always traveling, and I was always traveling. We're artists. So I used to see him, like, twice a week, and, you know, he's known for having different women, and I'm known for, like, not taking s**t from guys," the rapper, who welcomed daughter Kulture Kiari Cephus with Offset that July, said. "But we really loved each other, and we was scared to lose each other."
By December 2018, Cardi announced that she and Offset had split, and the Migos rapper went to several grand (and often cringeworthy) gestures in an effort to win her back. It eventually worked, and Cardi explained to Vogue a year later that other women harshly criticized her for reconciling with her man, saying, "When me and my husband got into our issues — you know, he cheated and everything — and I decided to stay with him and work together with him, a lot of people were so mad at me; a lot of women felt disappointed in me."
Josh Duhamel slut-shamed the stripper he allegedly cheated with
Josh Duhamel was accused of cheating on Fergie less than a year into their marriage. Nine months after they said "I do" in 2009, an exotic dancer named Nicole Forrester (not the Canadian high jumper who unfortunately shares her name) claimed to have hooked up with Duhamel when he was filming Life As We Know It in Atlanta.
Forrester was reportedly paid $20,000 to spill the dirty details to The National Enquirer, and her own attorney gave more sordid nuggets to Us Weekly. Forrester alleged, "After he told me his real name, I asked, 'Are you Fergie's husband?' And he was like, 'You know what you know.'" Forrester claimed they were intimate more than once during their night together, and that she had a polygraph and text messages to support her claims. She later regretted coming forward, because her kids didn't know she was a stripper, and apologized to Fergie via Extra.
Duhamel and Fergie denied the claims, and the actor's rep shamed Forrester for her profession, griping, "This is not the first nor will it be the last time that a stripper was paid a large amount of money to sell a false story about a celebrity. This story is absolutely ridiculous." Fergie later admitted to Oprah Winfrey (via People), "Definitely we're strong today because of anything difficult that's happened with us. We deal with it. We communicate. Communicating is the most important thing." They stayed together for another eight years.
Kevin Hart got extorted and came clean to wife Eniko and the world
Kevin Hart revealed in an October 2017 Instagram video that there was an extortion plot against him, with footage of him with a woman who was most definitely not his then-pregnant wife, Eniko Parrish. While he was a victim in the extortion plot, the comedian admitted to cheating, noting that his behavior was inexcusable.
"It's beyond irresponsible ... there's no way around it," Hart said on The Breakfast Club that December, adding, "That's Kevin Hart in his dumbest moment. That's not the finest hour of my life. With that being said, you make your bed, you lay in it ... I'm guilty, regardless of how it happened and what was involved, the s**t that I can't talk about — I'm guilty. I'm wrong."
Months earlier, Hart was reported to have allegedly misbehaved with another woman at a Miami nightclub, which he denied. By May 2018, Hart's one-time friend, actor Jonathan Todd "J.T." Jackson, was arrested and charged with attempted extortion and extortion by threatening letter. While Hart and Jackson's friendship is over, his marriage is still going strong: He and Parrish are still together and are expecting their second child, at the time of this writing.
Beyoncé didn't make Jay-Z take all the boxes to the left
For the love of God, if Beyoncé gets cheated on, what hope is there for the rest of us? In April 2016, Queen Bey revealed in her Lemonade visual album and lyrics that Jay-Z had been unfaithful — and the rapper later confirmed it himself in an interview with The New York Times interview, as well as on his 4:44 album.
Jay-Z admitted in a subsequent interview with fellow philanderer David Letterman (via The Washington Post) that he sought therapy to be able to make healthy emotional connections and salvage his marriage. "It was my way of saying I want to cry, I want to be open, I want to have the emotional tools that it takes to keep my family together," he said. "Much like you, I have a beautiful wife who was understanding and who knew I'm not the worst of what I've done." The rapper added, "We love each other, so we really put in the work for years ... I like to believe we're in a better place today. I'm proud of the father and the husband that I am today."
The power couple stuck it out and expanded their brood, before going on a massively lucrative On the Run II world tour together, as well as releasing a joint album, EVERYTHING IS LOVE, under their surname, The Carters — and even winning a Grammy for it.
Kobe Bryant admitted to cheating on wife Vanessa with the other woman's consent
NBA legend Kobe Bryant was accused of rape in 2003 — while married to wife Vanessa Bryant. He was charged with felony assault in relation to the case, but the charges were dropped in 2004 after his accuser refused to testify against him. At the time, Kobe confessed to an encounter with the accuser, but insisted in a statement (via USA Today), "Although I truly believe this encounter between us was consensual, I recognize now that she did not and does not view this incident the same way I did. After months of reviewing discovery, listening to her attorney, and even her testimony in person, I now understand how she feels that she did not consent to this encounter."
After the incident, People reported that he bought Vanessa a $4 million diamond ring, and Vanessa stuck around. In December 2011, however, she filed for divorce, TMZ reported, after allegedly finding out that Kobe had again been unfaithful. A source claimed to the site, "She's been dealing with these incidents for a long time and has been a faithful wife, but she's finally had enough. This one is the straw that broke the camel's back." Insiders at the time claimed Kobe was desperate to save his marriage and win Vanessa back, and whatever he did worked: In January 2013, the couple announced that they reconciled and remained together until Kobe's tragic death in January 2020.
Anna and Josh Duggar couldn't possibly be more predictable
Josh Duggar was busted cheating on wife Anna Duggar in 2015, when his identity was one of many leaked in a hack of Ashley Madison, a site designed for married men who are looking for partners with whom to cheat on their wives.
The hyper-religious 19 Kids and Counting star said in part in a statement (via People), "I have been the biggest hypocrite ever. While espousing faith and family values, I have secretly over the last several years been viewing pornography on the internet and this became a secret addiction and I became unfaithful to my wife." He added, "The last few years, while publicly stating I was fighting against immorality in our country, I was hiding my own personal failings. As I am learning the hard way, we have the freedom to choose our actions, but we do not get to choose our consequences. I deeply regret all hurt I have caused so many by being such a bad example."
The news came at an already devastating time for the Duggar family. Three months earlier, it was revealed that Josh was accused of molesting five underage girls when he was a teenager, and just one month after he and Anna welcomed their fourth child together. After the admission, Josh entered rehab for sex and pornography addiction, but it all worked out for them: These Duggars stuck it out and in 2017, they welcomed baby No. 5. Because what else would they do?
Sorry Jessica Biel, but they don't call Justin Timberlake 'Trousersnake' for nothing
Justin Timberlake was accused of cheating on Jessica Biel more than once. Us Weekly reported that in September 2010, when Timberlake and Biel were dating, the singer allegedly spent three days hooking up with actress Olivia Munn. "[Timberlake] has been telling people it's over with Jessica," a source claimed. "The reality is, he's just doing it behind her back." Timberlake's rep denied the allegations, but his reportedly bad behavior was rumored to have continued after he and Biel tied the knot in 2012.
Photos obtained by The Sun in November 2019 showed a tipsy Timberlake appearing to get cozy with his Palmer co-star, Alisha Wainwright. His rep again denied any impropriety, saying Timberlake and Wainwright were just friends, and the story died down ... until Timberlake himself spoke out in early December. "A few weeks ago, I displayed a strong lapse of judgment — but let me be clear — nothing happened between me and my costar," he wrote on Instagram. "I drank way too much that night and I regret my behavior. I should have known better. This is not the example I want to set for my son." Timberlake added, "I apologize to my amazing wife and family for putting them through such an embarrassing situation, and I am focused on being the best husband and father I can be. This was not that." Us Weekly reported that Biel pushed Timberlake to make a statement, and the couple secretly welcomed a second child in summer 2020.
La La stuck by Carmelo Anthony through several cheating scandals
In 2017, Carmelo Anthony was accused of cheating on wife La La Anthony with a stripper and possibly getting his mistress pregnant. An insider claimed to Page Six that Carmelo was a serial cheater — the supposed nature of his NBA star status. "Melo's tagline was, 'She's married, I'm not.' That's how he would justify [cheating]," the source alleged. "His attitude is that all professional athletes do it, and many of them do. La La has put up with a lot. She knew it was going on, but I guess this time she's had enough."
Another insider told E! News that Carmelo allegedly regularly hooked up with strippers. Still, at least one other source said to Page Six, "There are many players in the league who have these [extra] significant others but that doesn't seem to be the case with Melo." Everyone denied, however, that the stripper's baby was his.
Carmelo and La La weather the storm — but in 2019, photos of Carmelo with a "mystery woman" in a bikini on a yacht surfaced. Page Six reported that the woman, Sara Smiri, was married to an "extremely private" man, whom Carmelo told TMZ Sports was on the yacht with them but managed to evade the camera lenses. Another source told Page Six that La La was "a wreck" over the photos and didn't trust Carmelo, but as of summer 2020, the couple, who share son Kiyan, were still married and quarantining together during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kathie Lee thinks Frank Gifford was 'temporarily insane' when he cheated
In 1997, Kathie Lee Gifford's husband, Frank Gifford, was busted cheating after 11 years of marriage. Tabloids reported that Frank shacked up with a married flight attendant. He initially called the claims a "total fabrication," before the press fired back with video stills showing him with the woman in question. At that point, the Giffords told People, "This experience has been as painful for us as it would be for any other couple. However, we will get through this together. We ask that our privacy be respected at this difficult time." It was speculated that The Globe arranged and paid for Frank's illicit affair.
The couple weathered the storm, but it took a lot of hard work. Kathie Lee told People that the scandal was "horrendous" and "devastating." Frank, who passed away in 2015, just seemed mad he got caught: "This is like picking on a scab. I did something really stupid, and we've paid an enormous price. I love Kathie very much. It's a blip in my life, a blip in hers ... I'm just sick of it." Kathie Lee said she forgave him because she saw him as a victim, as well, explaining, "When you love someone and see them in the deepest pain in their life, you kick them when they're down? That's not love. But we still had to do the work to get back." She also chalked Frank's affair up to "temporary insanity" and a "setup." Hey, whatever helped them sleep at night!
Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne need to hire uglier staff
According to Sharon Osbourne, Ozzy Osbourne has cheated on her with at least six women — but it was his affair with hairstylist Michelle Pugh that sent her over the edge and almost ended their marriage in May 2016. Sharon told The Telegraph that in addition to Pugh, Ozzy allegedly hooked up with "some Russian teenager, then a masseuse in England, our masseuse [in the U.S.], and then our cook. He had women in different countries. Basically, if you're a women giving Ozzy either a back rub or a trolley of food, God help you."
Sharon reportedly found out about Ozzy's affair with Pugh when she found emails on his phone. She was quick to insult his mistresses, noting, "When I found out about the hairdresser, I couldn't believe it. Because none of these women were show ponies; he was doing it to fill the void in some way." Sharon threw Ozzy out of their house, but by July 2016, the rocker told Good Morning America that their marriage was "back on track."
Pugh later told People that Ozzy was "the love of [her] life," while Ozzy's rep said he was in treatment for sex addiction; Ozzy later denied he was a sex addict and chalked up his infidelity to the rock and roll lifestyle. By May 2017, he and Sharon had renewed their vows and proved that they will indeed be together, for better or for worse.
Jana Kramer stayed with her cheating husband
Erstwhile One Tree Hill star Jana Kramer married former NFL player Mike Caussin in May 2015 and separated in August 2016; later that month, Us Weekly reported that Caussin cheated on Kramer with multiple women, before seeking treatment for sex addiction. By December 2017, they were back on and renewed their vows — but Kramer admitted that it wasn't easy.
"I stayed in the beginning for Jolie so that I could say to my daughter, 'I tried everything to keep this family together.' Now, I'm not sacrificing my happiness," Kramer said during a 2018 episode of her Whine Down podcast (via Us Weekly). "If I was miserable, I would not still be in a relationship with my husband. But we've continued to grow."
Unfortunately for Kramer, Caussin reportedly had a "massive relapse" in his sex addiction earlier that year, but Caussin noted on the podcast in 2019, "[There was] no sex outside the marriage. I'm not minimizing cheating because we have other things in Jan and [my] discussion of boundaries that's cheating ... I just want people to be clear that there wasn't any other affair since that moment." However, his country singer wife noted, "Yes, it wasn't physical out of the marriage, but it was something where ... we're just basically happy that someone didn't show up ... I showed up at the hotel instead, if you really want to know." Later, Caussin would also receive what he swore was a random topless photo from someone he didn't know, but they're still together.