Cover Story: Reese Leaves Jake; "It Broke His Heart"
Credit: Lester Cohen/WireImage.com; Frank Micelotta/Getty Images
After nearly three years together, Reese Witherspoon and Jake Gyllenhaal called it quits in early December. "It broke his heart," an insider reveals in the new issue of Us Weekly.
A source close to Gyllenhaal, 29, explains that the once-golden couple "fought constantly in the past few months," and that the relationship concluded over a series of phone calls.
Adds another source, "No one cheated. There was no drama."
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After the pair met on the set of the film Rendition, their romance began in March 2007 -- when Witherspoon, now 33, was still smarting from her 2006 divorce from husband of seven years Ryan Phillippe, 35, with whom she has two children (Ava, 10, and Deacon, 6). Indeed, sources say that her divorce and her kids were the two driving factors in the split.
"She felt pressured to wed again but she wasn't ready," an insider says. "She couldn't give Jake enough and she got cold feet. Jake wanted all of her."
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Although Gyllenhaal moved into her $5 million home in June 2008, Witherspoon struggled to quell her doubts about his suitability as a stepfather and long-term partner. "She really worried that they didn't have enough in common," the pal says.
As a hands-on Mom, the "super-type A" actress also fretted over losing time with her kids to her boyfriend. "When she was giving all of her energy to Jake, she felt like she wasn't giving her kids enough," the source says.
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Not that Gyllenhaal didn't try with Ava and Deacon, the insider points out: "He was great with the kids, but she felt like he didn't get the whole scope of what that entailed."
To find out how the breakup might affect Witherspoon's kids, how her ex-husband Ryan Phillippe is faring with new love Abbie Cornish, and to look back on their whirlwind romance, pick up the new issue of Us Weekly -- on newsstands now!
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173What a bunch of b***, LMAO! Reese W is a phony and I'm so glad that SHOWMANCE with Gyllenhaal is OVER!!!
Reese is a very smart, thoughtful, caring individual. They were moving too fast, she doesn't want to get hurt. Its not easy when children are involve. Possibly down the road it could happen between them, but, now is not the time.
This is really sad. Not knowing all the facts of the situation and only what US magazine says, if it is the truth that Reese felt caught between the kids and Jake... then learn to balance! If you are married with kids, you have to learn the same thing. Just because you are spending some time with a boyfriend does not mean that the children will suffer. Mama needs to be happy, too. And frankly, it is not all about the kids. Once they are out of the house and having their own lives, who have you shared that journey with? What kind of an example have you set for your children? Have you shown them that life is an all or nothing situation, or can it be filled with compromise and balance? Hope they both don't necessarily find what they are looking for... but rather what they need.
I am so happy to see strong women standing up for what they want and need and not going along with something that doesn't feel right just to spare some hurt feelings. You only have one life. If she wants to devote that to her children then that makes her more awesome. Im sure Jakey will be ok.
Is Reese as sweet in real as she is on tv news and movies
I Have no problem with Reese wanting to wait to remarry, but if she was affraid of Jake praposing why didn't she just talk to him about it? If the have dated for two years she owes him that. She ows it to him to work out any and all problems. As for the parenting thing I am in a situation where my Fieance has a son and I think Jake would learn what it take just fine, Reese just needed to explain how she wants her kids raised to him so he understands. I think Reese did what all women do when they find a great guy after a loser who treats them bad, They get scared and run. Reese ows it to Jake to work out their problems and explain her fears and such to Jake. If hes a good a guy as this Magazine makes out, what Reese did was crule and should not have happened.
Divorce is very hard, particularly when you have children. It takes a long time to trust again. Also, when dating someone who has no children of their own, it's very for that person to really understand parenting and the true weight of it, no matter how nice they are or how hard they try.
Friends of Reese know that US Weekly prints only what Team Reese has reviewed and approved. Notice the article makes her seem perfect and Jake look pathetic and easily tossed aside. She is so driven to control her career and what people say about her that it will be her ultimate undoing.
This article is absolute crap. She is a friend of mine and none of this is true.Any child psychologist would praise her for waiting to remarry, and court someone a long time before ever marrying again. How dare you print such nonsense. Shame on you.
Kate Hudson screws around with more guys in Hollywood and of course the latest A-Rod than a prostitute does!
cute couple, but who know what went on behind closed door and exactly how compatible they really were -- if its meant to be in future she can always reconsider, however, after 3 years of knowing someone - you should know if he is the "one".
She has an ugly chin.
Jake is you truly love her, give her some space; and if it is meant to be you guys will be together. She has been through tremendoud heartache and she is concentrating on her children. "I would just as soon walk away friends than depart as enemies". Don't force it, don't log off, but dig in. That is what love is, it will bgreak your heart at times but you will grow in other areas that will actually make you a better husband and father. Give it time and if it is meant to be, it will happen, but do it naturally. I would give my sons the same advice.
"Just because Jake played a gay man in a movie, does not mean he is gay in real life." Jake IS gay in real life and has a boyfriend. Reese and Jake are actors, but not good enough to look like a real couple if you paid attention to their PR charade.
leave it to US Weekly and Reese Witherspon to find a way to blame this on Ryan Phillippe.
3:26pm Sunny B - let him go. If a man doesn't treasure you and won't make it official your wasting your time and efforts. The same goes with men-if she did not want long term then she did the right thing by letting him go. In the long run it will save them all heart ache. She is thinking about her kids-she is doing what is right for her.
I think she's crazy. Jake seems like a great guy. Hope she isn't making a mistake. Remember, your kids will be grown up sooner than you think, and they won't be staying home to keep you company!
Some people are so stupid! Just because Jake played a gay man in a movie, does not mean he is gay in real life. Movies are not REAL!!!! He has always dated WOMEN!!
Sounds like she is not over Ryan Phillipe.
When will she get over herself. She is to uptight. Divorce happens and then we move on.