Divorce is one of the most painful and difficult experiences anyone can go through. But when you are a celebrity, your private heartbreak becomes a public spectacle, with millions of people watching your every move.
How do celebrities deal with the end of their marriages? Do they wallow in misery or move on with grace? Do they regret their decisions or embrace their new opportunities?
In this article, we will look at some of the most candid and inspiring quotes from celebrities who have opened up about their divorces and how they felt about it.
Some celebrities, like Kelly Clarkson and Jennifer Aniston, shared their pain and grief, while others, like Gwyneth Paltrow and Olivia Wilde, talked about their personal growth and learning.
Kelly Clarkson, who filed for divorce from Brandon Blackstock in June 2020 after seven years of marriage, revealed how she asked her kids every night if they were happy and how they wished their parents were still together.
“I literally ask my kids every night when we’re snuggling, ‘Are you happy? And if you’re not, what could make you happier?’ Sometimes they’ll say, especially the past two years, and it kills me and I want them to be honest, so I don’t ever say, ‘Oh god, don’t tell me that,’ but a lot of times it would be like, ‘You know, I’m just really sad. I wish mommy and daddy were in the same house,'” Clarkson said on ‘The Angie Martinez IRL Podcast’.
Jennifer Aniston, who divorced Brad Pitt in 2005 after five years of marriage, told Vanity Fair how she tried to avoid the pain but realized she had to face it.
“There are many stages of grief. It’s sad, something coming to an end. It cracks you open, in a way—cracks you open to feeling. When you try to avoid the pain, it creates greater pain. I’m a human being, having a human experience in front of the world. I wish it weren’t in front of the world. I try really hard to rise above it,” Aniston said.
On the other hand, some celebrities spoke about how divorce helped them grow as individuals and learn from their mistakes.
Gwyneth Paltrow, who famously “consciously uncoupled” from Chris Martin in 2014 after 10 years of marriage, said she had to change her perspective on life and relationships.
“I had built my life on trying to be all things to all people, and I just couldn’t do it anymore. I really had the sense that I wasn’t allowed to have needs, and I had to prove my specialness or self-worth by doing all this stuff and taking care of everybody else. And I just sort of hit a wall,” Paltrow told People.
Olivia Wilde, who divorced Tao Ruspoli in 2011 after eight years of marriage, said she learned to love herself and attract the right partner.
“You don’t want to break up with someone, you don’t want to end a marriage, especially if you really like the person; you just know that something’s off so you try to change everything else,” Wilde said on The Conversation With Amanda de Cadenet. “I think communicating with them and not treating them like—not treating them like an adult, because they’re not—but not treating them like a child. They’re not small feelings. Those are huge feelings, and those are huge emotions,” she added.
Divorce is never easy, but these celebrities show that it is possible to heal and move on with dignity and wisdom. Whether they are sad or happy, regretful or grateful, they are honest and brave enough to share their stories with us.