The Most Devastating Celeb Breakups Of 2020
2020 has been a tough year for basically everyone on the planet. There's really no way around that. But COVID-19 cases and unemployment weren't the only things spiking — divorce rates in 2020 were off the charts. Breakups can be painful, but when you're a celebrity the whole world has to know about it. We assume that's not fun.
And this year brought more star splits than we can count. Whether it was Rihanna and her Saudi billionaire beau Hassan Jameel or Iggy Azalea and Playboi Carti, or Pete Davidson, who seems to have cornered the market on getting dumped in the tabloids (poor guy), 2020 hasn't been the greatest year for celebrity relationships.
Of course, it's impossible to know if the added stress of the pandemic had any bearing on the amount of A-List uncouplings that occurred in the same year it started, but one thing we do know is that it was hard to keep up. Here are some of the most devastating celebrity breakups of 2020.
The Danica Patrick and Aaron Rodgers split came out of nowhere
One of the most surprising breakups in 2020 was between Green Bay Packers star Aaron Rodgers and former NASCAR driver Danica Patrick. Mere months after calling Rodgers "extremely attractive, super intelligent, very thoughtful, patient" on Instagram, Patrick and her quarterback beau saw their game clock run down to zero after two years of dating (via People).
While the exes have yet to give a specific reason for the split, they have both spoken publicly, albeit cryptically, about the breakup. Patrick shared a quote from family and marriage therapist Vienna Pharaon on her Instagram story (per Page Six) that revealed her state of mind post-split. "Look at the chosen relationship in your life and notice any themes," the passage began. "What role do you play? Who are you with them? Who do you believe you need to be? What stories do you tell yourself about what they can offer you? What can they or can't they handle?"
Rodgers, on the other hand, said he "made decisions and changes and habits that put me in a lot better head space" during an appearance on Pat McAfee's podcast (via 247 Sports). "And that's why I'm having so much fun and it starts with love. And then surrounding yourself with people that you really enjoy." Ouch.
Bill Hader and Rachel Bilson are still remaining silent
Six months after their coming out party at the Golden Globes in January 2020, Barry star Bill Hader and Rachel Bilson "amicably split" according to People. Neither have commented publicly about what transpired, but a source told E! that Bilson is "absolutely devastated" over the breakup.
A month after Hader and Bilson beamed on the Golden Globe red carpet, their love affair seemed serious and destined to last for a while. "They spend a lot of time together and it seems like a serious relationship," a source told People. "They were in L.A. over the Valentine's Day weekend. On Sunday, they enjoyed a getaway to the Montage Hotel in Laguna Beach."
"It seems like a fun relationship," the source continued. "She won't stop laughing when she's with Bill. He is very sweet and considerate to her. Quick to open doors and acts very attentive." At the time of this writing, both Hader and Bilson are still remaining mum on what caused their relationship to end, but hopefully they rekindle one day down the road. You know, for the fans.
Megan Fox ditched Brian Austin Green for MGK
After three children and almost ten years as husband and wife, Brian Austin Green revealed that he and Megan Fox were done. "We've had an amazing relationship and I will always love her and I know she'll always love me," he said on his podcast in May 2020. "As far as a family, what we've built is really cool and it's really special. So, we decided let's make sure that we don't lose that ... and we're a united front with the kids."
Green dished on the split after Fox was seen with rapper Machine Gun Kelly, who she met while out of the country filming. Of that film shoot, which took her away for Green for over five weeks, Fox said, "I liked myself better during that experience and I think that might be something worth trying for me,'" Green shared. And of Fox's rumored new fling, Green that his wife and MGK were "friends at this point," and urged people not to "think that her or he are villains in any of this."
Well, Fox and the Rap Devil star became more than just friends and are now in a relationship, which she described to Nylon as "a tsunami or a forest fire." She continued, "The intensity of merging with him is just overwhelming, and the threat it poses is so powerful but so beautiful that you have no choice to surrender." As for Green's rebound? He had a brief fling with reality star Courtney Stodden that was, well, less epic.
Olivia Wilde and Jason Sudeikis 'had issues and they were never going to get married'
In November 2020, it was announced that Olivia Wilde and Jason Sudeikis' nearly 10-year relationship had been over for a while. "The split happened at the beginning of the year," a source told People. "It's been amicable and they've transitioned into a great co-parenting routine. The children are the priority and the heart of the family's relationship." The ex-couple shares two children and had been engaged since 2012.
The good news is that it seems like all that "amicable" talk wasn't just spin. "They've been separated for months now and there really is no drama. They're handling this like adults," a source told Us Weekly. The source added not to expect "any big money grab or custody battle," and explained that being bicoastal and varying work schedules led to arguments. "Bottom line: they had issues and they were never going to get married," the source said.
Later that month, the Daily Mail captured photos of the two sharing a sweet hug and jovial conversation in Wilde's driveway. Looks like the source was right. Shoutout to co-parenting.
Cara Delevingne and Ashley Benson 'ran its course'
The month of April 2020 saw model and Suicide Squad star Cara Delevingne and Ashley Benson end their relationship of almost two years. "Cara and Ashley always had their ups and down before but it's over now," a source told People, adding, "Their relationship just ran its course."
During an interview at the TrevorLIVE Gala in June 2019, Delevingne explained why she decided to go public with their relationship in that specific month "I don't know because it is Pride, it's been 50 years since Stonewall happened and I don't know," the model said (via E!). "It's been just about our one year anniversary so, why not?" A source told the publication the two were going strong at the time. "They are very sweet and loving together. They are always doing simple nice things for each other and it all comes very easy and naturally. They are committed to one another and very much in love," the source said.
Unfortunately, it didn't work out that way. At the time of this writing, Benson has moved on with rapper G-Eazy and it is apparently "super serious" (via Us Weekly). Can we say downgrade? We can say that, right?
Did the media attention end Timothée Chalamet and Lily-Rose Depp?
In October 2018, it appeared a new Hollywood romance was blossoming between Call Me By Your Name star Timothee Chalamet and Lily-Rose Depp. However, by April 2020, the pair had split, Us Weekly reported. Once again, we find that the two ex-lovebirds are not speaking publicly about their breakup. We're sensing a theme here, folks. But in an October 2020 cover story for GQ, Chalamet insinuated that the constant media attention during his time with the Yoga Hosers actress felt intrusive. He specifically cited paparazzi photos from his vacation with Depp that were turned into a viral meme.
"I went to bed that night thinking that was one of the best days of my life," he said. "I was on this boat all day with someone I really loved, and closing my eyes, I was like, indisputably, 'That was great.' And then waking up to all these pictures, and feeling embarrassed, and looking like a real nob? All pale? And then people are like: This is a P.R. stunt. A P.R. stunt?! Do you think I'd want to look like that in front of all of you?!"
Depp was spotted with Riverdale actor Cole Sprouse two months after her split from Chalamet, but it turns out she was just hanging out with her buds. "Cole and Lily-Rose Depp are friends," a source told E!.
Vanessa Hudgens and Austin Butler 'are split for now'
After nine years together, Vanessa Hudgens and Austin Butler called it quits in 2020. "Vanessa and Austin are officially broken up, and Vanessa has been telling those close to her about their breakup," an insider told Us Weekly. However, a source told E! that the pair "are split for now" and plan to see where the future takes them.
Another source told the publication said that time apart ended up being too much for the ex-lovers, but they could possibly rekindle their romance. "They're just shooting on two different continents and it's a matter of distance. There is no bad blood at all, and they have a lot of respect for each other," the source said. "They have such a history and deep connection they could find their way back to one another."
In the meantime, Hudgens signaled that she was keeping her options open, just before being linked to MLB star Cole Tucker. "Your girl's open," she told ET in November 2020, adding, "It's just about having similar fundamentals and wanting the same things. Like, I am not picky, really. ... Like, I know what I want and I'm like, if someone comes into the picture and can give me all those things, then great, it doesn't matter if they're in the public eye or not — if anything I prefer them not to be but we'll see, we'll see." Cole, buddy, were you taking notes?
Lena Waithe and Alana Mayo 'decided to part ways'
Two months after announcing they were married, Lena Waithe and Alana Mayo split up. They announced their decision to divorce ten months later. "After careful thought and consideration, we have decided to part ways," a joint statement from their reps read (via E!). "We have nothing but support for one another and ask that you respect our privacy during this time."
However, in November 2019, Waithe discussed how the pair were married during an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. "We snuck and did it, you know," she said told guest host John Legend. "We didn't make any announcements ... We went to San Francisco. We went to the courthouse. Got married right in front of [late gay rights activist and politician] Harvey Milk's bust. [It was] her idea, like all good things are. And she was just driving and she saw the courthouse and she said, 'We should get married there.' And I said, 'Cool, I'm down."
Neither party has spoken publicly about the split, and no reason has been given for the breakup, but we hope Lena Waithe and Alana Mayo find love soon.
Kristin Cavallari and Jay Cutler decided to social distance for good
Kristin Cavallari and former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler spent three-weeks quarantining together in the Bahamas at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, but as soon as they returned, the Laguna Beach star announced on Instagram that "with great sadness" they had "come to a loving conclusion to get a divorce." She added, "We have nothing but love and respect for one another and are deeply grateful for the years shared, memories made, and the children we are so proud of. This is just the situation of two people growing apart."
Cavallari also asked for privacy, but when the exes' legal documents hit TMZ in April 2020, the speculation cranked into high gear. In the docs, Cavallari cited "irreconcilable differences" as one of the reasons for the divorce, further accusing Cutler of being "guilty of such inappropriate marital conduct as renders further cohabitation unsafe and improper." There also seemed to be a custody fight brewing, with both parents claiming to have "been the available at-home parent and the primary caretaker" for their three children.
Fast forward a few months and Cavallari (kind of) set the record straight again, telling People in September 2020, "I met Jay when I was 23. I was a baby. Jay and I had so much love for each other, but we grew up. When you work at something for so many years and nothing's changing, I think you have to just make a decision. We all want to be happy."
Kelly Clarkson's life was 'a dumpster' after splitting from Brandon Blackstock
In June 2020, The Blast reported that American Idol alum Kelly Clarkson filed for divorce from her husband of almost seven years, Brandon Blackstock. After tying the knot in 2013, the couple — who'd quarantined with family in Montana ahead of the breakup — welcomed daughter River Rose in 2014 and son Remington Alexander in 2016 (Blackstock also has two children from a previous marriage).
While no details of the split are known, Clarkson told Sunday Today host Willie Geist that her "life has been a little bit of a dumpster" in the months since their breakup. "Personally, it's been a little hard the last couple months." Noting that she was "talking to friends that have been through a divorce," she admitted, "It is the worst thing ever for everyone involved."
But in typical Clarkson form, she's taking her pain and focusing it on her music. During an appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers, she revealed, "I don't know how anybody goes through something this traumatic — any kind of loss, honestly — without having some sort of creative outlet or therapy or something. Cause it's ... a lot. And especially this year ... you didn't need to add any kind of cherry on top of the dumpster fire we're all experiencing." However, a new love may be around the corner for Clarkson: OK! reported that she is "swooning" over country singer Brett Eldredge's "handsome face and gentlemanly manners."
Offset and Cardi B did Offset and Cardi B things
After infidelity rumors hounded rapper Offset for the duration of their relationship, Cardi B finally, actually filed for divorce, after many previous threats, in September 2020. According to legal documents obtained by E!, the "WAP" rapper's lawyers claimed their marriage was "irretrievably broken" and "there are no prospects for a reconciliation."
Cardi B explained her decision to fans during a session on her OnlyFans. "You cannot hurt my feelings trying to throw the divorce in my face because, at the end of the day, I decided I wanted to leave," she said (via People). "I didn't wait until he cheated on me again. I didn't wait [for] another controversy with him being involved. I decided to leave. If I wanted to stay, I could have stayed. I decided to leave."
But less than two months later, Cardi B called off her divorce and had it dismissed "without prejudice" after the pair reconciled — again. In a now-deleted Twitter audio clip, Cardi B said she filed for divorce to teach Offset "a lesson" (via People). "If we work things out, we sit down and work things out and I tell a n**** what I don't like and what I want to change when he tells me what he wants me to change what he wants me to stop doing," she explained. Does this count as a happy ending? We guess we'll find out.
Kacey Musgraves and Ruston Kelly 'simply didn't work'
Country stars Kacey Musgraves and Ruston Kelly announced their divorce in July 2020 after almost three years of marriage. "With heavy but hopeful hearts we wanted to put our own thoughts into the air about what's happening," they said in a joint statement to the AP. "These kinds of announcements are always met with scrutiny and speculation and we want to stop that before it even starts."
"We believe that we were put into each other's lives for a divine reason and have both changed each other infinitely for the better," the statement continued. "The love we have for each other goes far beyond the relationship we've shared as husband and wife. It's a soul connection that can never be erased." The reason for the divorce? "It simply just didn't work." The statement explained that would "remain true friends for the rest of our lives."
During an interview with Harper's Bazaar later in the year, Musgraves didn't comment on her split from Kelly, but said the breakup has fueled her creativity. "I just live life and absorb. And this year's definitely given me a dose of real life, so I have a lot to write about," she said. "I have a lot of new songs that I'm excited about, and I feel like only I really know when I have the right ones ready."