What’s With All These Celebrity Divorces?

The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at West Chester chapter.

We know that celebrity marriages do not typically last, but this year seems to have been one after the other. The divorces of 2023 include Ariana Grande and Dalton Gomez, Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello, Britney Spears and Sam Asghari, and most recently, Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas. Personally, the divorce that shocked me the most was Sofia Vergara’s, as they seemed like such a solid couple. In this article, I will discuss why celebrity marriages are likely to fail and the many lessons we can learn from them. 

According to The American Psychological Association, around 40-50% of first marriages end in divorce (https://www.forbes.com/advisor/legal/divorce/divorce-statistics/). The divorce rate increases even more with second marriages. Marriages are difficult enough for the average citizen, but even more for celebrities who battle public scrutiny and demanding careers. However, it is reasonable to assume that celebrities treat marriages differently than regular individuals. Let’s be real: divorce is not cheap, but money is often no object for these high-profile celebrities. Additionally, a common fear among divorcees is, “what if I do not find someone else?” Celebrities are in no shortage of men and women dying to be with them. Decades ago, divorce was much less acceptable than it is today. Many argue that divorce causes significant emotional harm to a couple’s children and hinders their future success. The concept of marriage is much different today, as our society is obsessed with reality TV shows such as The Bachelor, which treats marriage as a prize to flaunt more than an asset to improve our lives. 

So, what can other celebrities and ordinary people learn from all these divorces? Firstly, there is no need to rush into marriage, especially as young adults. You must find yourself before you can share yourself with another person. Even as you approach an age where most of your peers are getting married, it is important to remember everyone moves at their own pace. Secondly, marriage is simply a statement on a piece of paper. Just because a couple is married does not mean they are more committed to one another than an unmarried couple. Lastly, it is important to look beyond what people share on social media, as you never know how things are behind the scenes. For example, just a month before they announced their upcoming divorce, Sophie Turner posted an Instagram photo of her sweetly kissing hubby Joe. Marriage does not equal happiness and is certainly not a viable solution to fix an unmarried couple’s issues. 

The recent divorce trend is an important reminder that love sometimes isn’t enough, even for the rich and famous. Despite the million-dollar homes and lavish cars, celebrity couples face many of the same issues ordinary couples face. We can appreciate celebrities for their talents, but must realize that their lives may not be much better than our own. 

Since we have a long way to go until 2024, which celebrities do you predict are next in line for divorce: Hailey Baldwin and Justin Bieber, Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker, or even JLO and Ben Affleck?