From Sad to Salacious: It Has Been a Wild Few Weeks for Divorcing Celebrities

If it feels like every time you open a news app there’s another celebrity couple falling apart, we understand: the last few weeks and months have seen a lot of famous couples splitting up. We also know that, while your upcoming divorce may not make the cover of People, it can be an invasive-feeling experience. Between social media, your family, and your friends, divorce can lead to a lot of scrutiny. If it is particularly contentious, or if you’re engaged in litigation, there is the added burden of having your private life displayed in court documents.

Today, we wanted to take a look at some common divorce scenarios among celebrity news stories. They may help you feel a little less isolated to realize everyone – even A-listers – can face the same struggles. We also think that there are some lessons to be learned here about what not to do if you’re seeking a divorce.

Jeezy and Jeannie Mai, and the importance of prenups

The 45-year-old rapper and his wife Jeannie Mai, former host of TV show The Real, recently announced their divorce after getting married back in 2021. Per Entertainment Tonight, “A source tells ET that the 45-year-old rapper, whose real name is Jay Wayne Jenkins, and the former co-host of The Real weren’t on the same page when it came to ‘certain family values and expectations.’” (These comments sound very familiar to the ones made in Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello’s divorce.)

Jeezy is asking for legal custody of the child’s daughter, born in January 2022. Reports also state that the couple signed a prenuptial agreement, so many of the typical divorce issues may be resolved in an easier manner than other public divorces.

Whether you have significant assets or not, a prenuptial or post-nuptial agreement can help protect you and your family. We can help you craft a document that works for you.

Teyana Taylor and Iman Shumpert, and presenting a united front

The singer and former NBA player married in 2015, and have two children together, ages three and six. When announcing their divorce, Taylor wrote on Instagram: “In all fairness, Iman and I are separated and have been for a while. To be 1000% clear, ‘infidelity’ ain’t one of the reasons for our departure. We are still the best of friends, great business partners and are one hell of a team when it comes to co-parenting our 2 beautiful children.”

She also noted that keeping their separation private helped make dealing with their divorce easier, saying, “We’ve been able to successfully & peacefully separate without all of the outside noise.”

Amicable divorces are possible. But even if you and your spouse disagree or aren’t feeling as close as Taylor and Shumpert, there’s a good lesson here. Presenting a united front can shut down a lot of idle talk. It can help your children feel safe and secure as their lives change. And, in the face of a public divorce, it is an especially good idea for a business owner who may answer to investors and shareholders.

Bijou Phillips and Danny Masterson, and leaving a dangerous marriage

Actress Phillips recently announced her intentions to divorce actor husband Danny Masterson. This announcement came about a week after Masterson was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for two sexual assaults. The couple married in 2011 and have a nine-year-old daughter together. Per USA Today:

Phillips cited irreconcilable differences as the reason and listed the date of their separation as “TBD.” Her petition, signed Sept. 15, requested spousal support as well as restoration of her name to Bijou Phillips and full legal and physical custody of their daughter, with Masterson receiving child visitation.

Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner, and the risks of digging in your heels

After a very contentious divorce process, actor Costner and wife Baumgartner announced they have finally reached an “amicable settlement.” The terms of the settlement were not made public, but the two have been in contention for months. In a previous court hearing, Costner was ordered to pay over $63,000 a month in child support for their three children together. The couple was married in 2004.

When announcing their divorce in May, Costner issued a statement: “It is with great sadness that circumstances beyond his control have transpired which have resulted in Mr. Costner having to participate in a dissolution of marriage.”

Ariana Grande and Dalton Gomez, and the post-pandemic reality

Pop singer Grande and Gomez, a real estate agent, married in May 2021 and are now divorcing. Grande filed a petition in Los Angeles, citing “irreconcilable differences” as grounds for dissolution of marriage. Grande has not made a statement regarding the divorce; nor has Gomez. The public began suspecting the separation after Grande was spotted at Wimbledon this summer without her wedding ring.

There has been a tremendous amount of research on couples who divorced during or right after the pandemic, but most of it focuses on already-existing relationships. Grande and Gomez started dating right before much of the country shut down, which means they spent a lot of time together by necessity. We are curious to see if their situation proves to be more common than we think, as couples adjust to their new demands for work.

Gisele Bündchen and Tom Brady, and the pressure on “perfect” couples

Although they announced their split over a year ago, Bündchen, a model, was recently in the news talking about life after divorce. Bündchen and Brady, a retired NFL athlete, were married in 2009 and share two children. Bündchen told CNN, “It’s been very tough on my family. It’s been a lot — in every area of my life. I feel like whenever it rains, it pours. With all the different twists and turns that life takes, all we can do is the best we can given what happens in our surroundings.”

Upon their divorce, the two noted that their priority was co-parenting their children.

Every family or circle of friends knows a couple who seems to have it all: a great marriage, wonderful children, amazing jobs, and financial security. As it turns out, “perfect” couples aren’t real: they’re just people doing the best they can, as we all do. As attorneys who have worked with couples across Maryland, we cannot tell you how often our clients have struggled with their new identities as divorced people.

What we can tell you is that sometimes, our lives simply do not go according to plan. Our goal is to help you establish a new plan and a new path forward. If you are planning to get divorced, or are in the middle of one, it’s not necessary to make a statement to the press – you and your spouse can handle things in a more private manner with an experienced divorce attorney. The attorneys at McCabe Russell can help you with things like:

• Explaining the divorce process. We can explain the divorce process here in Maryland, including the steps involved and the timeline you can expect.
• Advising you on your rights and options. We can advise you on your legal rights and options, such as child custody, alimony, and asset division.
• Negotiating with your spouse. We can negotiate with your spouse (via their attorney or through mediation) on your behalf to reach a fair and equitable settlement agreement.
• Drafting and reviewing legal documents. We can draft and review all of the legal documents necessary for your divorce, such as the petition for divorce, the settlement agreement, and the final decree of divorce.
• Representing you in court. If your spouse does not agree to a settlement agreement, we can represent you in court and advocate for your interests.

Are you planning on getting divorced? It’s vital you work with an experienced divorce attorney to protect your and your children’s best interests. When you’re ready to talk, contact the lawyers at McCabe Russell today. We can help. To set up a consultation, call us or fill out our contact form. We serve clients and families throughout Fulton, Bethesda, Rockville, and Columbia.