Even fame and fortune offer no protection from heartbreak, as 2024 proved to be a tumultuous year for celebrity relationships. The relentless pressures of high-profile careers and life in the public eye took their toll, leading to a string of shocking separations that dominated headlines on both sides of the Atlantic.
Hollywood's High-Profile Heartbreaks
Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban sent shockwaves through Hollywood when news of their separation emerged in September. The actress, 58, subsequently filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences and ending their 19-year marriage. Insiders suggested their hectic schedules—his High and Alive World Tour and her filming commitments—kept them apart, with Nicole reportedly feeling "blindsided" initially. The couple, who share two daughters, own a multi-million dollar compound in Nashville, but Keith has since moved into his own residence in the city.
Another A-list couple, Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom, confirmed their split in July after six years of engagement. Representatives stated the pair were focusing on co-parenting their four-year-old daughter, Daisy Dove. The wedding, postponed due to the pandemic, never materialised as careers and parenthood took priority. In a surprising twist, Katy has since been romantically linked to former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Tom Cruise and Ana de Armas called time on their nine-month romance in October, despite appearing besotted in public just months earlier. Sources cited the 26-year age gap and the "spark" fading, though they remain on good terms and are set to work together on the film Deeper.
UK Stars and Surprising Splits
In the UK, Cat Deeley and Patrick Kielty announced the end of their 12-year marriage in July. The This Morning presenter and the Irish comedian, who share two sons, stressed "no other party" was involved. Tensions were hinted at when Cat missed Patrick's mother's funeral in March, an absence that reportedly caused deep upset within the Kielty family. Patrick had previously described feeling like a "junior shareholder" in their partnership.
Love Island winners Millie Court and Liam Reardon also parted ways for good this year. Despite reconciling after a brief 2022 split, the distance between their lives in Essex and Wales proved insurmountable, with Liam reportedly instigating the breakup.
Reality TV also saw a dramatic turn with JoJo Siwa, who ended her six-month relationship with Kath Ebbs after leaving the Celebrity Big Brother house. She then struck up a romance with fellow contestant Chris Hughes, which they confirmed in June. Kath has since moved on and is engaged to Tilly Lucas-Rodd.
Other Notable Partings
The year saw many other high-profile separations. Lily Allen made her musical return with the brutally honest break-up album West End Girl, detailing the collapse of her marriage to David Harbour after his infidelities.
Dakota Johnson and Chris Martin ended their eight-year relationship in June, with sources suggesting Dakota was ready to marry but Chris was "dragging his feet."
Sydney Sweeney called off her wedding to Jonathan Davino, confirming her single status in May and later being linked to music executive Scooter Braun.
Sophie Turner and Peregrine Pearson split, reconciled briefly, then split again, with Sophie now reportedly dating Chris Martin.
Finally, presenter Jeff Brazier announced his separation from wife Kate Dwyer after seven years of marriage, stating they "ultimately couldn't be" each other's source of complete happiness.
As the curtain falls on 2024, it's clear that the glare of the spotlight offers no guarantee of a lasting romance, with even the most established celebrity unions facing irreparable strains.
