Hollywood’s Ugliest Divorces: From Johnny Depp and Amber Heard to Erika Jayne and Tom Girardi

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Hollywood's Ugliest Divorces: From Johnny Depp and Amber Heard to Erika Jayne and Tom Girardi

Divorce is hard, but legal and custody battles can be even harder. Throughout their time in the spotlight, some A-listers — including Brad Pitt, Britney Spears, Madonna and Tom Cruise, among others — have found themselves involved in pretty messy divorces. Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, for example, finalized their divorce in 2017, but the drama between them is still ongoing. The exes are wrapped up in a nasty court battle after they've both accused each other of verbal and physical abuse. "I was afraid he was going to kill me, either intentionally or just by losing control and going too far," Heard alleged during a July 2020 court appearance. "He explicitly threatened to kill me many times, especially later in our relationship." Depp, for his part, has repeatedly denied her accusations. He spoke publicly about the abuse claims during an interview in the November 2018 issue of GQ, saying, "Ultimately, the truth will come out in all of this and I will be standing on the right side of the roaring rapids. I hope other people will be too.” “I worry about the people that bought it and I worry about her. It’s just not right," the Pirates of the Caribbean actor added at the time. "I will never stop fighting. I’ll never stop. They’d have to f—king shoot me. An episode like this takes time to get over. It’s a mourning for someone you thought was …. well, something I did marry her.” While Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Erika Jayne and estranged husband Tom Girardi have yet to finalize their divorce, their split may be one of the messiest in Bravo history. The reality star and now-disgraced lawyer called it quits in November 2020. “After much consideration, I have decided to end my marriage to Tom Girardi,” she said in a statement to Us Weekly. “This is not a step taken lightly or easily. I have great love and respect for Tom and for our years and the lives we built together. It is my absolute wish to proceed through this process with respect and with the privacy that both Tom and I deserve. I request others give us that privacy as well.” Things started to fall apart further as more details of their split and subsequent legal woes were publicly released and shown via RHOBH season 11. During episodes of the Bravo series, the “XXPEN$IVE” singer disclosed that she knew Girardi had been cheating on her throughout their 21-year marriage. She also denied knowing anything about his finances after the high-profile lawyer was hit with multiple fraud and embezzlement lawsuits. “Erika was completely unaware of the very serious allegations that were being made against Tom in court,” a source told Us in December 2020 when news of the lawsuit went public. “Tom always handled all of the finances and that was how they handled things. Erika feels betrayed by Tom because she completely trusted him. She is just reeling from all of this, but make no mistake. Erika is a tough cookie and she isn’t stupid. She will get through this.” Keep scrolling to see more of Hollywood's messiest divorces. [podcast_block]

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Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock

The singer filed for divorce from her estranged husband in June 2020 and cited “irreconcilable differences.”

In July 2021, a source told Us that they have yet to reach a "formal settlement" after Clarkson was ordered to pay Blackstock nearly $200,000 in monthly support.

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Jana Kramer and Mike Caussin

After a tumultuous relationship, Kramer filed for divorce in April 2021, citing “inappropriate marital conduct, irreconcilable differences and adultery."

Years prior, the exes briefly split in 2016, with Us breaking the news that Caussin had entered sex treatment after multiple affairs. Eventually, the reconnected and renewed their vows in 2017 before breaking up years later.

They finalized their divorce in July 2021.

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Erika Jayne and Tom Girardi

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star filed for divorce in November 2020. Since then, the couple have been in an ongoing legal battle. Shortly after filing for divorce, Erika asked for spousal support and for Tom to pay her legal fees.

The exes were accused of embezzlement and fraud. Erika has denied having any involvement in her estranged husband's business dealings and they are in the midst of an ongoing bankruptcy case.

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Jaime King and Kyle Newman

The Hart of Dixie alum filed for divorce from the director in May 2020 after nearly 13 years of marriage. She was “partially granted” a temporary restraining order at the time, which ordered Newman to not “be within 100 yards” of her.

King alleged that the filmmaker was aggressive and emotionally manipulative toward her, according to court documents obatined by Us. In response to the allegations, Newman’s spokesperson told Us he was “deeply saddened” by the actress’ “false claims.”

Newman later accused King of substance abuse and infidelity in court papers obtained by Us. The model’s rep told Us that the claims were “another vicious, failed attempt of Kyle to continue his abuse of Jaime and manipulate the court system.”

The couple, who share sons James and Leo, both filed for sole physical custody, though their requests were denied.

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Kristin Cavallari and Jay Cutler

Cavallari and Cutler announced their plans to separate via Instagram in April 2020. (Us confirmed that the Uncommon James founder filed for divorce two days before publicizing the split). Cutler listed their date of separation as April 21, 2020, while Cavallari stated that their relationship concluded on April 7, 2020. 

The estranged pair’s split began to take an ugly turn when Cavallari accused the former NFL player of “inappropriate marital conduct” in the divorce filing. Cutler, for his part, cited “irreconcilable differences" days later and requested joint custody of their three children. Cavallari sought primary physical custody. She also alleged that Cutler blocked her from purchasing a new home, which she claimed was his way of “punishing” her for not agreeing to his custody terms.

“The word around Nashville is they really just don’t like each other anymore,” a source revealed exclusively to Us in April 2020. “They would accuse each other of cheating, but nothing really solid. They are both very stubborn and bump heads a lot and neither backs down.”

The insider said that Cavallari and Cutler’s marriage became “antagonistic” before they called it quits, noting that they “always seemed annoyed with each other and they were only on the same side when it came to their kids.”

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Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes

The couple, who divorced in July 2012, reportedly couldn't see eye-to-eye on whether to raise their daughter Scientology parenting. The former Dawson's Creek star was raised Catholic but converted to the religion after marrying Cruise in 2005.

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Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie

The actress filed for divorce from her Mr. and Mrs. Smith costar in September 2016 after two years of marriage. Pitt faced child abuse accusations over an alleged incident with their then-15-year-old son Maddox onboard a private jet. The allegations were cleared by the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services. A long custody battle for their six children, Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, Vivienne and Knox, followed. They have been declared legally single since April 2019.

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Wendy Williams and Kevin Hunter

The talk show host filed for divorce from the TV producer in April 2019 after almost 22 years of marriage. The filing came after Hunter fathered a child with his alleged mistress, Sharina Hudson, and Williams' multiple health and sobriety issues. "Kevin had a major indiscretion that he will have to deal with for the rest of his life,” Williams told New York Magazine. “An indiscretion that I will not deal with. I never thought that I would be in this position." The former couple are parents to Kevin Jr.

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Mary J. Blige and Martin “Kendu” Isaacs

The singer filed for divorce in July 2016 after 12 years of marriage and requested that he not receive spousal support. "Ms. Blige is saddened to say it is true that she has filed for divorce, saying sometimes things don't work how we hoped they would… but there is a divine plan and a reason for everything," her rep told Us at the time. "She thanks and appreciates her fans for their support and love through this very difficult emotional time." A source would later tell Us that “they had huge fights behind closed doors over the years” and she had “just had enough.” They finalized their divorce in June 2018. 

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Jules Wainstein and Michael Wainstein

The Real Housewives of New York City star's husband of eight years filed for divorce in June 2016 after she claimed he had an affair with another woman, which he denied. Days later, Michael's attorney exclusively claimed to Us that Jules had “brutally and viciously assaulted” her husband in 2012, which she denied. The former couple, who share kids Jagger and Rio, continued to battle it out in court for four years. In February 2020, Jules was arrested for allegedly battering Michael; she pleaded not guilty. They finalized their divorce that October.

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Johnny Depp and Amber Heard

The Pirates of the Caribbean star and the Danish Girl actress are in the midst of a bitter court battle. Shortly after she filed for divorce in May 2016 after 15 months of marriage, Heard accused Depp of being physically abusive and obtained a temporary domestic violence restraining order against him. The model also initially requested spousal support from the Alice Through the Looking Glass actor, but later withdrew her appeal. Depp and his lawyer have repeatedly denied Heard’s abuse allegations. They finalized their divorce in January 2017. 

In 2022, the duo were locked in a highly publicized defamation trial where each other accused the other of abuse. The jury ultimately ruled in favor of Depp, ordering his ex-wife to pay him $15 million in damages and finding that she acted with "malice." The jury determined that Depp's attorney did make one defamatory statement about Heard and awarded her $2 million in compensatory damages.

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Yolanda Foster and David Foster

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star filed for divorce from the music producer in December 2015. She was diagnosed with Lyme disease in early 2012, shortly after the pair tied the knot in November 2011. Yolanda has since said that they had a falling out as a result of her debilitating illness and stated on The Dr. Oz Show in March 2016 that “David never changed, I changed.”

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Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale

The No Doubt frontwoman filed for divorce from the Bush lead singer in August 2015 after Us Weekly revealed he cheated for years with their children’s former nanny Mindy Mann. The rockers, who were married for nearly 13 years, finalized their divorce in April 2016 and now share joint custody of their three sons, Kingston, Zuma and Apollo. Stefani has since found love again with her new beau, Blake Shelton, whom she married in July 2021. 

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Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon

The America’s Got Talent host filed for divorce from the “Infinity” singer in December 2014 after he previously confirmed that they were living in separate houses “for a few months.” The pair, who were married for six years, have since become cordial, often celebrating holidays and birthdays with their twins, Moroccan and Monroe. 

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Ramona Singer and Mario Singer

The Real Housewives of New York City star called it quits on her 22-year marriage to Mario in August 2014 after he cheated on her multiple times with much-younger mistress Kasey Dexter. “I would never reconcile with him. I believe in marriage. I gave him a second chance and he betrayed me and our daughter. You just don’t do that,” she told Us Weekly at the time. The estranged pair share a daughter, Avery.

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Sherri Shepherd and Lamar Sally

In May 2014, Sally filed for a legal separation from the View host. Days later, she responded by filing for divorce. The divorce quickly turned sour as news broke that the estranged couple were expecting a baby together via a surrogate. Sally currently raises the baby boy, who was born in August 2014, and Shepherd pays child support. She is listed as the legal mother on the child’s birth certificate.

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Alex Rodriguez and Cynthia Scurtis

The New York Yankee's wife filed for divorce in July after reports of his extramarital affairs and a close friendship with Madonna. The couple wed in 2002 and have two daughters.

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Christie Brinkley and Peter Cook

The salacious divorce trial between the model and the architect ended in October 2008 after much media attention. Cook admitted to cheating on his wife with his assistant and spending $3,000 on porn sites.

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Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt

America's golden couple exchanged vows in 2000, but after five years of marriage, they were done. In 2004, rumors swirled of an on-set affair between Pitt and his Mr. and Mrs. Smith costar Angelina Jolie. 

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Robin Williams and Marsha Garces

The pair fell in love in 1989 when Garces worked as a nanny for the comedian's son, Zachary, but in March, after 19 years of marriage, they filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences.

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Britney Spears and Kevin Federline

Their chaotic two-year marriage came to an end when the singer filed for divorce in November 2006. Federline now has primary custody of their two sons, Sean Preston and Jayden James.

In June 2021, Federline shared support for his ex after her bombshell conservatorship hearing.

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Hulk and Linda Hogan

The wrestler and his wife parted ways in 2007 after 24 years of matrimony and four seasons of the VH1 reality series Hogan Knows Best. Linda called their union "irretrievably broken." They are the parents of daugher Brooke and son Nick. 

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David Hasselhoff and Pamela Bach

After 16 years of marriage, the couple split in 2006. They share daughters Taylor and Hayley. 

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Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards

Wed in June 2002, the stars stayed together just shy of three years. The couple have two daughters, Sam and Lola.

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Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey

After three years of marriage, the singers called it quits in 2005. What went wrong? Their MTV reality show Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica. "It was among the dumber ideas I think I've ever seen executed," Lachey once said. "It got to a place where it was so invasive, so it became a problem."

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Sophia Bush and Chad Michael Murray

The One Tree Hill cast-mates, who were also an on-screen couple, tied the knot in 2005 and were divorced five months later. "I can't say there are no hard feelings. I feel hurt, humiliated and broken hearted," Bush later revealed.

Murray married Sarah Roemer in 2015, and they share two kids. Bush got engaged to businessman Grant Hughes in August 2021. 

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Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise

Kidman has said she was "shocked" when, after 10 years of marriage and adopting two children together, Cruise filed for divorce in February 2001. Kidman has since remarried Keith Urban and Cruise ultimately moved on with Katie Holmes before their split.

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Pam Anderson and Rick Salomon

Anderson and Salomon married for the first time in October 2007. They separated that December, and their marriage was annulled in early 2008. Years later, they wed a second time in January 2014. After calling it quits that July, their divorce was finalized in April 2015.

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Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe

In 2002, the Oscar winner admitted she and her actor hubby attended couples counseling. In 2006, the couple of seven years announced they were separating. Phillippe and Witherspoon share custody of their two children, Ava and Deacon.

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Paul McCartney and Heather Mills

The Beatles crooner and model had a daughter before splitting after four years of marriage in 2006. Mills was awarded $48.6 in the divorce settlement.

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Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez

Berry and Martinez met on the set of Dark Tide in 2010. Us broke the news of their secret engagement in January 2012 and they said “I do” in July 2013 in Vallery, France, and welcomed a son, Maceo, nearly three months later. After two years of marriage, they confirmed their separation to Us in a joint statement, which read: “We move forward with love and respect for one another and the shared focus for what is best for our son.” Their divorce was finalized in December 2016. “We go into marriage thinking it’s going to last forever and that this is our prince on a shiny horse,” Berry said at the 2017 City Summit after splitting with Martinez, her third husband. “That’s what fairy tales taught me as a kid ... and I’m kind of anti–fairy tales today.”