It’s been a year of seismic shifts in the world of celebrity romance, with some of Hollywood’s most celebrated couples calling it quits—often in dramatic or wholly unexpected fashion. From the end of seemingly unbreakable marriages to the unraveling of whirlwind romances, 2025 has proven that even the brightest stars can’t always keep love alive.
Perhaps the most jaw-dropping split of the year was that of Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban. According to People, the couple, who tied the knot in Sydney’s Manly back in 2006 after meeting at a G’Day LA event the year before, shocked fans in September when news broke that they were separating after 19 years together. The world had seen them as one of Hollywood’s most steadfast pairs—so much so that Kidman’s previous heartbreak with Tom Cruise seemed a distant memory. Yet, as TMZ reported, the Oscar-winning actress and the country music star had been living apart since the start of the northern hemisphere’s summer. Kidman officially filed for divorce the day after the news became public, and sources close to her told People that she “didn’t want this” and had been “fighting to save the marriage.” Urban, now 57, had at least four tattoo tributes to Kidman, including her first name on his bicep and her initials on his wrist—a testament to the depth of their connection, which makes the split all the more poignant.
But Kidman and Urban weren’t the only high-profile couple to part ways. Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom, who had been together for nearly a decade and share a daughter, confirmed their own split in July. As reported by People, the pair issued a joint statement emphasizing their commitment to co-parenting: “They will continue to be seen together as a family, as their shared priority is – and always will be – raising their daughter with love, stability and mutual respect.” The breakup, while amicable, still sent shockwaves through their fan base. Perry, never one to shy away from the spotlight, soon confirmed she was dating former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, making their relationship Instagram-official and ensuring the headlines kept coming.
Meanwhile, British singer Lily Allen and actor David Harbour, who wed in a quirky Las Vegas ceremony in 2020, also faced the end of their marriage. Allen, 40, spoke candidly about the breakup to The Perfect Magazine, admitting, “Two people who were once together are not together. And that’s really sad ... It’s hard for me to not have my person, you know?” She didn’t shy away from the challenges of re-entering the dating scene as a 40-year-old woman with two teenage children, calling it “bitterly disappointing.” Allen’s new album, West End Girl, written and recorded in just 10 days, appears to draw inspiration from the breakdown of her marriage, with themes of open relationships and possible infidelity woven throughout. Still, Allen was careful to clarify to Vogue UK, “There are things that are on the record that I experienced within my marriage, but that's not to say that it's all gospel. It is inspired by what went on in the relationship.” Neither Allen nor Harbour have directly addressed rumors of cheating.
Jessica Alba and Cash Warren also ended their long union this year. After nearly two decades together and tying the knot in 2008, Alba announced their breakup on Instagram on January 17, writing, “I've been on a journey of self-realisation and transformation for years – both as an individual and in partnership with Cash. I'm proud of how we've grown as a couple and in our marriage over the last 20 years and it's now time for us to embark on a new chapter of growth and evolution as individuals. We are moving forward with love and kindness and respect for each other and will forever be family. Our children remain our highest priority and we request privacy at this time.” She officially filed for divorce in February and has since gone public with actor Danny Ramirez, 33, marking a new romantic chapter for the Into the Blue star.
The heartbreak didn’t stop there. Comedian Amy Schumer announced her divorce from chef Chris Fischer on December 12 after seven years of marriage. In her trademark irreverent style, she posted on Instagram: “Blah blah blah Chris and I have made the difficult decision to end our marriage after 7 years. We love each other very much and will continue to focus on raising our son. We would appreciate people respecting our privacy at this time. blah blah blah not because I dropped some lbs and thought I could bag s basket and not because he’s a hot Janlmes beard award winning chef who can still pull some hot tail. Amicable and all love and respect! Family forever.” Schumer was quick to dispel speculation, insisting their issues had nothing to do with her “weight loss or autism.” A source told People that the split was “cohesive” and “amicable,” with no bad blood between the pair.
Reality TV stars weren’t immune to the 2025 breakup wave either. Chelley Bissainthe and Ace Greene, who found love on Love Island USA Season 7, broke up five months after the show ended. Bissainthe told SiriusXM’s Page Six Radio that “it really was a tough decision for the both of us and very hard to decide. When you love someone, sometimes loving someone means letting go. So we just got to that decision that was best.” She stressed that their relationship was never about publicity, and the breakup came from a place of mutual respect.
Other notable splits included Alix Earle and NFL player Braxton Berrios, who ended their two-year relationship in December, citing the challenges of long-distance romance. Alexa and Brennan Lemieux, another reality TV couple from Love Is Blind, announced their divorce in early December after four years of marriage. Kandi Burruss, star of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, also revealed her split from Todd Tucker after 11 years, emphasizing her focus on “protecting my peace” and co-parenting with love and respect.
In the world of sports and music, Nina Dobrev and Olympic snowboarder Shaun White called off their engagement, while pop star Katy Perry and actor Orlando Bloom’s breakup was among the year’s most talked-about. Even the enduring marriage of Jessica Alba and Cash Warren came to an end, showing that no corner of celebrity life was untouched.
Through all the drama, a common thread emerged: a desire for privacy, mutual respect, and, above all, a focus on children and family. Whether amicable or tinged with sadness, these breakups have reminded the public that behind the red carpet smiles and glamorous Instagram posts, celebrities face the same heartbreaks and hard decisions as anyone else. The year 2025 will be remembered as one of endings—but also, perhaps, of new beginnings for many of these stars.
