The Return of the Messy Celebrity Divorce

In the ten years since Gwyneth Paltrow consciously uncoupled from Chris Martin, the prevailing trend for celebrity divorces has been one of performing civility. When they announce their separations, A-listers typically release joint statements replete with requests for privacy and promises to stay loving friends and co-parents. Reese Witherspoon and Jim Toth said they were moving forward “with deep love, kindness, and mutual respect for everything we have created together” when they announced their divorce this spring. Toni Collette and her now-ex-husband Dave Galafassi promised, “We will continue to thrive as a family.” Chelsea Handler announced her breakup with fellow comedian Jo Koy by claiming, “This is not an ending but another beginning. It is a comfort to know that I am still in love and love this man the way the sun loves the moon and the moon loves the sun.”

These kinds of announcements have become so common and expected that even normal people issue them now when they get divorced. But in the last couple of months, a new, more acrimonious current has emerged. Something different is in the air. Something messy!

There’s no winning. Simone Biles is returning to competitive gymnastics this summer. Who knew pickleball could be so dangerous? A reminder of the harms of animal testing. People in South Korea all became at least one year younger today. There’s a new, first-of-its-kind art gallery in Kansas by and for the visually impaired. How Frog and Toad became queer anti-capitalist cottagecore icons. And this truly is the summer of random celebrity couples.

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