15 Celebrity Breakups That Had Us Questioning If Love Is Even Real

Hollywood romances are often fleeting, and some people would even argue that a lot of them aren't even legitimate. It can sometimes feel like certain celebrity couples just get together for the sake of attention or self-promotion. However, every once in a while, celebrities who are a part of the Hollywood elite, find each other an embark in romances that seem like they could actually be the real deal. We invest in them, and hope that their already seemingly perfect lives can get even more perfect, if not to just give us a bit of hope that we might find love some day as well.

The sad truth is, things just don't always pan out the way we wish they would. Perhaps, for celebrity couples, it's about the constant scrutiny from the media, or maybe the rumours (false or otherwise) that swirl around them - but it seems like despite their best efforts, a lot of celeb duos just can't seem to make it work - at least not the celebs you're about to read about. Even when we all thought that they'd beaten the odds, the following celebrities fell victim to the Hollywood curse, and didn't quite make it to forever.

15 Despite Having A Secret Costume Closet, Fergie And Josh Duhamel Couldn't Make It Work

When asked in an interview about how she kept her marriage feeling fresh, singer Fergie said, “I have an Axl-safe costume closet where I have all my superhero stuff. That one doesn't have a combination. I do have one that's locked that's a bit more mature.” However, despite their best attempts at keeping their bedroom relations exciting, they still could not make their eight-year marriage work. Fergie and now ex-husband, actor Josh Duhamel, met because she'd read in a magazine article that he'd had a naughty dream about her, and it made her want to get to know him and see what he was all about. They managed to keep their private life private, which seemed to indicate that they were focused on their relationship, rather than the press, but unfortunately, the couple separated for a few months before making their split public.

14 Brad Pitt And Jennifer Aniston Million Dollar Wedding Went To Waste

Actors Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston were set up on a blind date by their agents in 1998. After dating for two years, the couple got married and had a $1 million wedding with 200 of their friends and family in attendance. While it seemed like the picture-perfect couple were destined to be together forever, their marriage only lasted five years.

It seemed like Pitt and Aniston had everything going for them, between their accolades, fame, and fortune. However, in 2004, rumours about Pitt's infidelity began to surface, as he'd just began working on the movie Mr. and Mrs. Smith with actress Angelina Jolie. By 2005, Pitt and Aniston were calling it quits, citing a disagreement about starting a family, as well as difficult work schedules as the reason for their split. Despite this, however, speculation about whether or not Pitt cheated on Aniston with Jolie remained.

13 Even After 12 Years, Brad Pitt And Angelina Jolie Couldn't Seem To Make It Last

Although Brad Pitt denied being unfaithful to ex-wife Jennifer Aniston, he did admit that he fell in love with actress Angelina Jolie while they were filming the movie Mr. and Mrs. Smith in 2004, when he was still married to Aniston. Aniston filed for divorce from Pitt in March of 2005, and by July of the same year, he was already spotted on vacation with Jolie. While the beginning of their relationship was surrounded by scandal and intrigue, public opinion seemed to shift for “Brangelina,” as it seemed like their relationship was genuine and perhaps even true love.

Pitt and Jolie were together for 12 years, and had six (three adopted, and three biological) children together. They wed in 2014, and it seemed like they were going to make it, but in 2016, Jolie filed for divorce from Pitt, citing irreconcilable differences.

12 Anna Faris And Chris Pratt's Split Shocked Everyone

It's really easy to get emotionally invested in celebrity couples, especially if they seem to share a genuine bond, like actors Chris Pratt and Anna Faris. Pratt and Faris met in 2007, on the set of the movie, Take Me Home Tonight, where Pratt said that he knew immediately that Faris was “the one,” even though she was married at the time. Soon after she split from her first husband, the two started dating, and shortly after her divorce was finalized, Faris and Pratt were engaged.

The two have always been public about their feelings towards one another, with each of them publicly gushing over how wonderful their relationship was, especially after they became parents. This is why it was such a surprise when they announced that they would be parting ways.

11 Gwyneth Paltrow And Chris Martin Coined "Conscious Uncoupling"

 The beginning of actress Gwyneth Paltrow and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin's relationship was pretty interesting, as they were rumoured to be dating before they'd even met each other. However, once they did meet, the couple was instantly inseparable, and they married each other just a year after they started dating. They announced that they were expecting their first child shortly after.

Paltrow and Martin always kept their relationship private, and from the outside, they seemed to have a really great relationship. However, in a magazine interview, Paltrow said that ”Sometimes it's hard being with someone for a long time.” Perhaps that was hint about things to come? Apparently, this statement was true to the extent that the couple was no longer able to sustain their marriage, and the two entered into a (now famously-coined term) “conscious uncoupling” after a decade of marriage.

10 Heidi Klum Was Concerned About The Effect Seal Would Have On Their Kids

These two appeared to be the definition of “couple goals” for sure. The super model and the singer first met at an award show, and saw each other again at gym in New York. After their first date, Klum told Seal that she was pregnant with her ex-boyfriend's baby. However, because Seal had already began to fall for Klum, this news didn't affect their budding relationship.

As a couple, they were adored by the public, because of their devotion to their four children, as well as how they seemed to genuinely enjoy each other's company, and the traditions (like their annual Halloween bash) that they shared with the media. Unfortunately, after seven years of marriage, Klum filed for divorce. Apparently, Klum was concerned about Seal's “inability to control his temper,” and what effect that would have on their kids.

9 Charlize Theron And Stuart Townsend Felt Like They Ended Up To Be More Like "Brother And Sister"

For most of actors Charlize Theron and Stuart Townsend's relationship, it was kept a secret from the public eye. They made very few public appearances together, and both actors are quite protective of their privacy, so you'd think that they had the recipe for a lasting celebrity relationship. The two were together for nine years before calling it quits.

Their breakup came as a big surprise to a lot of people, because although they were very private about their lives, what they did share, showed a couple who were in love and committed to each other. Theron even wore a Victorian ring from Townsend as a symbol of their love to each other that she said she never took off when they were a couple. Sources claimed that their relationship ended when Theron realized that their love had run its course, and they were more like brother and sister, rather than lovers.

8 Amy Poehler And Will Arnett's Split Was Anything But Funny

When two great comedic actors fall in love, how could it not be a relationship that you hope stands the test of time? Because actors Amy Poehler and Will Arnett brought laughter to huge audiences, a lot of people thought that their partnership must just be constantly filled with laughter and joy. They were certainly enviable as a couple, because they're both so down-to-earth and hilarious.

The pair have never spoken about the reasons for their breakup, but Poehler did say that it is because the reasons are both “too sad,” and “too personal.” While their relationship ended, it's still really wonderful to see that they remain respectful of each other's privacy, as they have chosen to keep their personal business private, and away from the prying eyes of the public.

7 Jessica Simpson And Nick Lachey Went From The Newlyweds To The Newly-Divorced

Singers Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey looked like they had it all. Both of them are extremely talented, and both appeared to be in their prime when they were together. As well, it seemed like a fairytale romance - or at least it was portrayed as such in the media. The two kept their relationship quite public, as they even had a reality show called, The Newlyweds, as well as a variety show.

Perhaps it was all of the added public exposure that lead to their breakup, coupled with the fact that both Lachey and Simpson were both quite young when they got married. After three years of marriage, with most of their relationship being in the spotlight, left open for scrutiny from media and rumours from tabloids, the two divorced.

6 Despite Everything, Reese Witherspoon And Ryan Phillippe Want To Remain A Good Example For Their Kids

A young, gorgeous couple meeting and falling in love and then adding fire to their roles as an on-screen couple - it's the age-old tale of Hollywood romance. Actors Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe met in 1997 at Witherspoon's 21st birthday party. The couple famously played love interests in the movie Cruel Intentions. They wed in 1999, shortly after Cruel Intentions premiered, when Witherspoon was just 24 years old. She has since admitted, “I was so, so young. I was, like, ridiculously young.” This proved to be true, because by 2007, the couple, now parents to two children, were filing for divorce. While their marriage didn't last, Phillippe and Witherspoon remain good friends and great parents to their kids, as they want to be a good example for them.

5 Maria Shriver Could Never Forgive Arnold Schwarzenegger For His Big Secret

In 1977, Maria Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger were introduced to each other by newsman Tom Brokaw. In 1986, the two were married. By all accounts, it seemed that their marriage was quite solid. The two have four children together, and Shriver supported Schwarzenegger when he decided to enter into politics - something Shriver had been trying to get away from for most of her life.

However, no marriage is perfect, and it appeared that Schwarzenegger had been hiding a pretty big secret. In 2011, it was revealed that Schwarzenegger fathered a child, then 19 years-old, with the couple's housekeeper. While this news lead to Schwarzenegger and Shriver splitting up, they have not gotten officially divorced. The two have also moved on romantically, and have been in long-term relationships with other people.

4 Johnny Depp Admitted That His Divorce From Vanessa Paradis "Wasn't Easy On Her"

Actor Johnny Depp is one of the most endearing heartthrobs in Hollywood. Even though he was in a long-term relationship with super model Vanessa Paradis, he still remained one of the most eligible celebrity bachelors.The two never married, and while their relationship was not a secret, both Depp and Paradis remained very private about details regarding their lives together, especially when their children were born. There was always an air of mystery about their relationship, so their breakup came as a surprise. Depp spoke about what happened in a magazine interview, saying, “Relationships are very difficult. Especially in the racket that I'm in because you're constantly away or they're away and so it's hard. It wasn't easy on her. It wasn't easy on me.” Depp and Paradis were together for 12 years.

3 Melanie Griffith And Antonio Banderas Prove That A Lot Of History Doesn't Guarantee Success

Actors Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas were together for almost 20 years when they filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for their breakup. However, considering both actors had been married before (Banderas to Spanish Actress, Ana Leza, and Griffith to actor Don Johnson, who she actually married twice), it was looking like this marriage was going to stick, since they'd been together as a happily married couple for so long.

However, their marriage, like most Hollywood marriages, was sometimes the subject of tabloid rumours, with reports of Banderas' alleged infidelity. However, neither Banderas or Griffith ever confirmed these rumours. Their joined statement when they split up, read, “We have thoughtfully and consensually decided to finalize our almost twenty years marriage in a loving and friendly manner honouring and respecting each other, our family and friends and the beautiful time we have spent together.”

2 Even Couple's Therapy Didn't Do The Trick For Courteney Cox And David Arquette

For a time, it really seemed like actors Courtney Cox and David Arquette would really go the distance as a married couple in Hollywood. Cox and Arquette met in 1995, on the set of the popular 90s horror movie, Scream. The two would date shortly after. Cox and Arquette dated for four years before tying the knot. In 2004, they had their daughter, Coco. The couple seemed to be very supportive of each other's careers, as well as devoted to their little family, making frequent public appearances as a trio. The two also openly spoke about how they attend couple's therapy, in order to strengthen their bond. However, despite their best efforts, they still split up, with Cox saying, “When you love someone, you want them to be happy, even if it's not with you.”

1 Susan Sarandon And Tim Robbins' Breakup Came As A Surprise To Her As Well

When people have been married for over 20 years, some regard that as quite the accomplishment. However, when those two people are both Hollywood heavyweights, most people consider that a miracle. Many people thought that actors Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins were really going to make it, and rightfully so, as they seemed very happy in their marriage, and as parents to their two children.

However, at the time of their split, Sarandon told magazines that the breakup came as a surprise to her as well, as she “didn't think it [a breakup] would ever happen.” She also said, “I've always liked the idea of choosing to be with somebody… I thought that if you didn't get married, you wouldn't take each other for granted as easily. I don't know if after twenty-something years that was still true.”