15 Celebs Who Were Secretly Separated For Months Before Revealing It To The Public

Celebrity breakups - some shock us, some we saw coming months earlier, and some we didn't even realize had happened until the ink had dried on the divorce papers. There are a number of reasons why celebs want to keep their private life under wraps and not let a messy split get leaked to the press. After all, there might be details that could damage a star's entire career.

These secret meetings tend to happen either over the phone or in a secret private location - either at the lawyer's house or at the house of the celebrity. Laura Wasser, who has previously dealt with the divorces of Kim Kardashian and Angelina Jolie, explained to Vanity Fair, "People may not even realize that this couple is getting divorced but we're actually all the way through the entire settlement before they even file anything with the court and announce to the world that they're splitting up." She added, "Then they don't have to go through their entire divorce-settlement negotiation under a microscope.”

The tip-offs about a celebrity split usually come from the courtroom itself. An article in Bloomberg revealed, "The county clerk's office at Los Angeles Superior Court tips off tabloids when a famous name shows up on a filing." So these stars tried their very best to keep things as quiet as possible without us finding out that they had actually split months earlier.

15 Channing Tatum and Jenna Secretly Split Months Before They Broke The World's Heart

The outpouring of grief from fans that heard the news that Channing Tatum and his wife Jenna Dewan would divorce after more than nine years together proved they were a much-loved couple. One tweeted, "Not to be dramatic or anything but hearing that Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan split has really ruined my week" and another added, "I think school should be canceled tomorrow, so we can mourn Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan's relationship."

What they didn't know is that the adored couple had actually split months earlier and Channing had already moved out of their L.A home.

They were an item since meeting on the set of Step Up in 2006 and a close insider told People, "This has been a long time coming. Like any marriage, they've had their ups and downs over the years but they really started to grow apart within the last year.”

The cracks in the marriage had already started to appear last year when Jenna told Health magazine, "When people say you guys have such a perfect life, I want to scream and tell them no one's perfect."

14 Chris Pratt and Anna Faris "Tried Hard For A Long Time"

Another couple that caused mass hysteria when they announced their split was Chris Pratt and Anna Faris. The funny duo decided the laughs had come to an end and filed for divorce after eight years of marriage. In a joint statement, they announced, "(We) are sad to announce we are legally separating. We tried hard for a long time, and we're really disappointed."

Speculators and the press blamed Chris' Passengers co-star Jennifer Lawrence as they became close on set but this was furiously denied. On her own podcast, Anna revealed that the rumors made her feel "incredibly, very insecure."

When the court documents went public, it showed that the couple had legally separated a month before they made the news public. Fans were hoping for a reconciliation but it was obviously not going to happen.

13 Brooklyn Beckham Wasn't Really Unfaithful To Chloe Grace Moretz

Brooklyn Beckham caused a huge uproar when he was caught cozying up to and kissing model Lexi Wood at a tattoo parlor in Los Angeles. Everyone jumped on the 19-year-old photographer and famous son of Victoria and David Beckham, questioning what his girlfriend 21-year-old Chloe Grace Moretz would make of this.

Well, it turns out, Brooklyn's hands were clean because technically he wasn't dating Chloe at the time of the intimate moment with Lexi - they were on another break. 

Chloe explained to US Weekly, "It's been years now off and on and it's just one of those things, you come back and it's like no time spent away from each other at all. I think that's the most important thing and your lives are like an open book." And here we were thinking they were going to be a couple for life.

12 Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston Didn't Announce Their Split So There Really Was No Affair

Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt were the "It Couple" of the early 2000s and Hollywood could not get enough of them. Then a new love story unfolded and everyone believed that Angelina Jolie had come along and snatched Brad from Jen without any warning. However, the truth is a little different…

The New York Daily News reported, "Jen and Brad split, now they're just friends. The reasons they gave were due to their difficult schedules and disagreement on whether or not to have children." They announced their split in January 2005. After the world premiere of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Brad and Angelina started dating in July - nearly seven months since Brad's split from Jen.

This didn't stop fans attacking "man-eating" Angelina and painting Jen as the victim - a narrative that continued for years after.

11 Marc Anthony Was Single Way Before THAT Kiss

When Jennifer Lopez performed alongside her ex-husband Marc Anthony at the Latin Grammys - they shocked everyone when the two shared a very passionate kiss together on stage.

Not long after, Marc announced his divorce from Venezuelan model Shannon de Lima and everyone thought this intimate moment on stage had caused the split.

That wasn't actually the case as Shannon explained to Univision's Despierta América, "It definitely wasn't the kiss. It was a 'famous kiss' but we had already been separated for about a month. And honestly, things just didn't work. We were getting along great and then suddenly things weren't working out the way we wanted them to." No matter what is said about Marc, he certainly is one lucky guy when it comes to the women in his life.

10 Jennifer Garner Split From Ben Affleck "Months" Before Nanny-Gate

The tabloids led us all to believe Ben Affleck was another Hollywood actor who had fallen under the spell of his nanny and the sordid affair ended his marriage to Jennifer Garner. Nanny Christine Ouzounian took a private jet trip with Ben and Tom Brady to Las Vegas and the Gone Girl actor released a statement saying, "All allegations of a romantic relationship are baseless and untrue." When he announced his split from Jennifer - it looked obvious that nanny-gate had been the cause of it all.

Then Jennifer finally made things clear as she told Vanity Fair they had been divorced for months before nanny-gate had even happened. She revealed, "Let me tell you something. We had been separated for months before I ever heard about the nanny. She had nothing to with our decision to divorce. She was not part of the equation." Adding, "I have had to have many conversations (with my children) about the meaning of scandal."

9 Nicki Minaj Surprised Her Fans With "Yes, I Am Single" Post

At one point, everyone believed Nicki Minaj and Meek Mill would be forever so that's why it was so confusing when she was gifted huge diamond rings from "a boy." Nicki confirmed to Ellen DeGeneres, "First of all, that's not an engagement ring. I have two rings from this boy that likes me. That's not my engagement ring though. He said, that's my second ring, and he said if I get the third ring, then that's my engagement ring."

The rings were said to be from Meek Mill but then Nicki posted on Instagram the lyrics to Beyonce's breakup song Best Thing You Never Had and the caption: "Thank God you blew it. Thank God I dodged the bullet. I'm so over you. Baby good looking out."

Fans didn't realize the song was aimed at Meek Mill because Nicki was still wearing the rings, but then she tweeted, "To confirm, yes I am single." They had already split but Nicki just wasn't giving up her diamonds for anybody.

8 Demi Lovato and Wilmer Valderrama Admit "It Hasn't Been Easy For A Year"

Demi Lovato and Wilmer Valderrama were another couple who shocked with their split but what people didn't know is that they had spent 12 months slowly separating. In 2016, Demi was having a terrible year as her dog Buddy was killed in a tragic accident; her great-grandfather died; then shortly after her great-grandmother also died. Which is probably why she didn't need the extra stress of announcing a high-profile breakup.

An insider told People, "This hasn't been an easy year for Demi. She's making sure to surround herself with family and friends after announcing the split." After six years together they told the fans, "We have decided to end our relationship. This was an incredibly difficult decision for both of us, but we have realized more than anything that we are better as best friends."

7 Kris and Bruce Kept Their Marriage Struggles Hidden From The World

After 22 years of marriage, Kris and Bruce Jenner finally announced their separation - on Keeping Up With The Kardashians. The tough decision was made on the spot in front of the cameras, so we were led to believe, as family members gathered around to hear the shocking news. The truth was that Bruce had been living in their Malibu beach home whilst Kris was staying at their Calabasas mansion for quite some time.

Bruce told the family, "To be honest, I just don't see myself going back. We both seem to be doing better with our space."

When Bruce transitioned as Caitlyn, she revealed that Kris had known about this for a very long time. She told Britsh TV host Lorraine Kelly, "Oh yes (Kris) knew, definitely. I was open with her. Did I downplay it somewhat? I'm sure I did as I went through hell. I loved her and I was seriously trying to make something of my life."

6 Amber Rose and 21 Savage Split - But She Refuses To Say She's Single

After turbulent relationships with Kanye West and Wiz Khalifa; Amber Rose finally settled down with rapper 21 Savage and the two appeared like a perfect match. Then in March, an insider told People, "They are definitely off. They are not together." Fans who were better detectives than even the press noticed that the couple had actually unfollowed each on Instagram the month before and they were last seen in public together on Valentine's Day.

Not being one to stay quiet for long, Amber finally confirmed to Real radio that they had split but she wants to work it out. She said, "I can't say that I'm single because, in my heart, I still love him. My heart is still with him. So hopefully we can work it out, but if we can't, the love is still there. So, you know, we'll hopefully be able to be friends."

5 Louis Tomlinson's Instagram Activity Gave The Game Away

Former One Direction band member Louis Tomlinson might not be stalked as much as in his pop star days but there are still fans who will trace his every move. When it was announced he split from long-term girlfriend Danielle Campbell, there were several fans ready to cry out 'we told you so' as they had already spotted unusual Instagram activity.

Danielle had been completely absent on Louis' social media for a couple of months and she was spotted by the paparazzi holding hands with another man. 

An insider confirmed to The Sun, "Louis and Danielle have made the decision to split up but they are still going to be mates. They're still talking to each other and there are no bad feelings whatsoever." Nothing gets past those Directioners.

4 Elle MacPherson Already Fled Her Mansion Because She Couldn't Live With "Toxic" Husband

Supermodel Elle MacPherson's husband, billionaire Jeff Soffer, likely didn't even know he was heading for divorce until he returned back to an empty mansion. According to Page Six, Ellen had left their $26 million marital home and she was "looking for her own house in Miami." They then announced their separation to the public three months later.

The model and mother-of-three will have plenty of options as her divorce settlement from Soffer came to a staggering $79 million after four years of marriage, reported MSN. A friend of the model told Woman's Day, "Elle is relieved they're divorcing - the truth is they've been leading virtually separate lives for months. Jeffrey has a fearsome temper and there was only so much Elle could take. The atmosphere at home 
had become toxic."

3 Heidi Klum Was "Living On An Opposite Coast" To Her Boyfriend

After three years together, model Heidi Klum announced her split from boyfriend Vito Schnabel but it was later revealed they had not been living together for quite some time.

An insider told People, "There has been trouble in paradise for a little while. Things have been difficult recently, they live on opposite coasts."

Art dealer Vito, who previously dated Demi Moore, appeared to be quite cut up about the end of the relationship as he shared the lyrics to Oh Honey by Delegation on his Instagram that read: "When I feel low, I've nowhere to go / She'll be my inspiration / Yeah, when my poor heart is breakin' apart / She'll put it back together." He's likely hoping that will win back the heart of the America's Got Talent judge.

2 Rachel Bilson and Hayden Christensen Were "On The Outs" Over His Flirting With Emma Roberts

Rachel Bilson and Hayden Christensen were going strong for ten years but then reports claimed that he had been caught out text messaging Scream Queens star Emma Roberts. Hayden and Emma are co-stars in the film Little Italy about rival pizza restaurants but it sounded like Emma had her eyes on another prize. The Blast reported, "(Those) close to the situation tell The Blast that Bilson found text messages between Christensen and Roberts. We're told Bilson ended things with Christensen shortly after discovering the messages."

It doesn't seem to be all that true, as another insider told Glamour magazine, "They've been on the outs for a couple of months. They are completely, officially done." So, was Emma just texting Hayden to help him through his breakup? Sounds possible.

1 "Perfect Couple" Brooke Burke and David Charvet Already Called It Quits Two Months Earlier

Brooke Burke and David Charvet spent seven years together as part of what appeared to be "the perfect marriage" until they announced their shock split. TMZ was the first to report the news as court documents filed in Los Angeles revealed David had filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences between him and his Dancing With The Stars wife.

People magazine confirmed, "They've been separated for a couple of months and tried as hard as they could to make their marriage work, but at the end of the day they have to do what's right for them and their family." 

Brooke wrote on her own website, "Although I believe this is a positive change, I am deeply saddened because I loved being married." They continue to co-parent their four children together.

References: glamour.com, dailymail.com, TMZ.com, people.com