We’re not entirely caught up on summer’s planetary movements — June solstice? September equinox? Whatever. — but apparently there’s something in retrograde causing couples to split left and right ever since Memorial Day. Everyone from Charlize Theron and Sean Penn to Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick to even longtime spouses Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner, called it quits on their relationships this summer. The one perk of becoming single between the end of May and September, though? Breakup diet makes for one fine swimsuit bod!
Take a look back at all 24 of the biggest, most shocking splits that went down this summer. And, in case you’re an A-lister, fair warning, because summer isn’t technically over until Sept. 23.
Chris Soules and Whitney Bischoff (May 28)
The Season 19 Bachelor couple announced they were ending their engagement two months after the show’s finale aired. “Whitney Bischoff and Chris Soules have mutually and amicably decided to end their engagement,” the couple told Us in a joint statement at the time. “They part with nothing but respect and admiration for one another and will continue to be supportive friends. They wish to thank everyone who has supported them through this journey.”
Emma Roberts and Evan Peters (June 12)
No more wedding planning here! The engaged couple decided to split after three years, multiple sources confirmed to Us Weekly on June 12. “They had been fighting,” one source explained.
Nick Jonas and Olivia Culpo (June 16)
The genetically gifted duo separated in June after two years of dating. According to sources close to Miss Universe 2012, things had been rocky between the two for some time and their conflicting schedules were to blame.
Charlize Theron and Sean Penn (June 17)
On June 17, Us Weekly exclusively revealed the engaged couple had called it quits after almost two years together. Their split came as a shock given they appeared to be lovey-dovey at the Cannes Film Festival in the South of France the month prior. But, according to a source, Theron, 40, had iced out the Gunman actor, 55, and completely cut things off. It didn’t take Penn long to get back in the dating game. He was spotted on a romantic dinner date with Emmanuelle Vaugier on Aug. 4.
Britney Spears and Charlie Ebersol (June 22)
The pair, who started dating in October 2014, pulled the plug on their relationship after just eight months, Us Weekly confirmed on June 22. The reason? According to a source, Ebersol seemed to be in it for the “wrong reasons.”
Will Arnett and Arielle Vandenberg (June 23)
Sources confirmed to Us exclusively that the Arrested Development alum and his girlfriend ended what was “never really serious” anyway before the end of June.
Patti Stanger and David Krause (June 23)
That same day, Us Weekly confirmed that the Millionaire Matchmaker alum and her boyfriend of three years had also called things off. The Bravo star told Us it was an “incredibly difficult decision” to make, but it was something that she “needed to do.”
Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck (June 30)
After 10 years of marriage and three kids, Affleck and Garner announced they were divorcing in a joint statement to Us on June 30. “After much thought and careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to divorce. We go forward with love and friendship for one another and a commitment to co-parenting our children whose privacy we ask to be respected during this difficult time,” their statement read. “This will be our only comment on this private, family matter. Thank you for understanding.” As Us exclusively revealed, Affleck had been romancing their former nanny Christine Ouzounian prior to their announcement, but sources tell Us their marriage was doomed well before the relationship.
Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Martin (July 1)
Round two didn’t prove to work out for the Hunger Games actress and the Coldplay frontman. Us exclusively confirmed the pair, who had been dating for almost a year, ended things again on July 1. Their schedules (shocking) were to blame.
Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick (July 6)
The last straw! Kourtney Kardashian finally dumped Scott Disick — the father of their three kids — in July after he was caught getting uncomfortably close with his ex-girlfriend Chloe Bartoli in the South of France in June. “She’s really had it this time,” a source told Us at the time. However, with their history and children in the mix, sources have maintained that Kardashian may be open to reconcile with the troubled star.
Britt Nilsson and Brady Toops (July 14)
Okay, not much of a surprise here, but Bachelorette alum Nilsson and her potential suitor Toops didn’t last more than six months together after uniting following her exit from the ABC franchise’s 11th season.
Sienna Miller and Tom Sturridge (July 15)
Four years later and after welcoming daughter Marlowe, Miller and Sturridge were on the outs. “They were in a bit of a rough patch for awhile,” a source told Us on July 15. “Their schedules on top of raising a child started to get to them.”
Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert (July 20)
NOOO! This one was another surprise. Shelton and Lambert announced in a joint statement to Us on July 20 that their marriage was ending after four years. “This is not the future we envisioned,” they said. “And it is with heavy hearts that we move forward separately. We are real people, with real lives, with real families, friends and colleagues. Therefore, we kindly ask for privacy and compassion concerning this very personal matter.” Just hours later, a judge had finalized their divorce.
Rita Ora and Ricky Hilfiger (July 21)
“Young, Single & Sexy” once more! Ora and Tommy Hilfiger’s son ended their yearlong relationship in July, multiple sources confirmed to Us. “They were both too busy, the distance got hard, and both agreed that it was better for them to be single and star friends,” one source explained.
Maria Sharapova and Grigor Dimitrov (Jul 24)
Not a match after all. The tennis pair called things off after two years, Dimitrov announced in a press conference on July 24. “Our paths split,” he revealed, quite politely. “We experienced wonderful moments together. I wish her much happiness and success in life and in tennis.”
Reba McEntire and Narvel Blackstock (Aug. 3)
After 26 years of marriage the country superstar and her husband axed their union, announcing their split in a joint statement on Aug. 3. “Despite this being the end of their marriage, they continue to support each other,” a statement from Big Machine Label Group read. “They have worked together for 35 years and will continue to do so. They have asked that you respect their privacy during this time.”
Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale (Aug. 3)
After 13 years of marriage, Stefani and Rossdale surprised fans by announcing on Aug. 3 they were divorcing. “While the two of us have come to the mutual decision that we will no longer be partners in marriage, we remain partners in parenthood and are committed to jointly raising our three sons in a happy and healthy environment,” they told Us in a joint statement. “To that end, we respectfully request privacy from the media during this time.”
Zayn Malik and Perrie Edwards (Aug. 4)
The former One Direction band member called off his engagement to the Little Mix singer, both 22, at the end of July. On Aug. 4 Us Weekly confirmed the news. Sources told Us that Edwards was “devastated and torn up.” Another insider explained that Malik just “wanted to move on and start over in all ways.”
Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog (Aug. 4)
The beloved Muppets followed suit and announced they were calling it quits on Aug. 4. “Piggy and I have gone our separate ways, romantically,” the star of ABC’s fall show The Muppets revealed during a Television Critics Association panel. “It can be tough to work with your ex,” he added, “especially if your ex is a pig.”
Josiah Duggar and Marjorie Jackson (Aug. 5)
So much for a courtship! The former TLC reality star and his girlfriend only lasted four months before 19 Kids and Counting parents, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, confirmed their split on Aug. 5.
Jake Owen and Lacey Buchanan (Aug 7)
Another country couple that couldn’t last! Crooner Owen and his wife of three years, Lacey, announced their divorce on Aug. 7. “This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life,” he tweeted.
Vicki Gunvalson and Brooks Ayers (Aug. 16)
The Real Housewives of Orange County vet and her longtime on-again, off-again boyfriend, Brooks Ayers, announced in a joint statement on Aug. 16 that after “much prayer, thought, counseling, and consideration,” that they had decided to end their four-year relationship.
Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green (Aug. 19)
Us Weekly exclusively revealed on Aug. 19 that after 11 years together (five as a married couple), the parents to two adorable sons had decided to separate. Prior to calling it quits months before news broke, things had been “rocky” between the two, a source revealed.
Avril Lavigne and Chad Kroeger (Sept. 2)
Lavigne and the Nickelback rocker announced they were ending their two-year marriage in early September. “It is with heavy hearts that Chad and I announce our separation today,” the “Complicated” singer shared via Instagram. “Through not only the marriage, but the music as well, we’ve created many unforgettable moments. We are still, and forever will be, the best of friends, and will always care deeply for each other. To all our family, friends and fans, thank you sincerely for the support.”
Jon Hamm and Jennifer Westfeldt (Sept. 7)
The former Mad Men star and his longtime love, Jennifer Westfeldt, announced on Labor Day that they were no longer together. “With great sadness, we have decided to separate, after 18 years of love and shared history. We will continue to be supportive of each other in every way possible moving forward,” they said in a joint statement to Us.
And with that, we can confirm, joint statements are the new black.
