13 Breakups That Ruined 2016
R.I.P. love
If you thought your love life was on the rocks this year, take comfort that it wasn’t turned into major headlines, memes, and placed under constant internet scrutiny.
While plenty of celebrity couples are still going strong — Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan-Tatum continue to hold it down — a ton called it quits during 2016. We lost a bunch over the summer, and more than a few cited “scheduling conflicts” as a major reason their relationships didn’t pan out. If you’re willing to do this to yourself, check out this list of couples who broke it off after only months (or, on the other end of the spectrum, several years) of being together. They’re presented in no particular order, because love dying can’t be ranked.
1. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie
All right, let’s get this one out of the way. In perhaps the most shocking and devastating breakup announcement of 2016, Jolie filed for divorce from Pitt in September after two years of marriage and 12 years together. Shortly after the news dropped, the internet exploded with Jennifer Aniston memes, and even Adele commented on Brangelina’s breakup at her own concert. She was right: It really is “the end of an era.”
2. Rihanna and Drake
To be honest, they’ve never been official-official, but Drake did confess during the VMAs that he’d been “in love” with Rihanna since he was 22. Though Drizzy’s dad says they’re just friends, the pair got matching shark tattoos shortly after the VMAs — which is such a couple thing to do. However, it’s very possible that their whirlwind romance (if it ever existed) is already over.
3. Taylor Swift and Calvin Harris
Remember when this musical duo had one of the most talked-about romances of 2015? Well, they broke up in June after a 15-month relationship, and it’s safe to say things definitely didn’t end well. Harris told British GQ this year that “all hell broke loose” when they called it quits, especially when you consider how Swift had helped pen his smash single “This Is What You Came For.” Harris went on to rant on Twitter in a series of now (mostly) deleted tweets about the way things went down. Yikes.
4. Brooklyn Beckham and Chloë Grace Moretz
The eldest Beckham boy and the Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising star dated for several months this year and even took a trip to Disneyland together. Unfortunately, even the Happiest Place on Earth couldn’t save their relationship: They reportedly broke up after a summer of love.
5. Sia and Erik Anders Lang
After two years of marriage, the “Cheap Thrills” singer is separating from Lang, she revealed in December. “After much soul searching and consideration we have made the decision to separate as a couple,” Sia and Lang told People. They did admit, however, they plan to remain friends.
6. Evanna Lynch and Robbie Jarvis
Harry Potter fans’ hearts broke when two of its stars admitted their relationship was over. In April 2015, the duo confirmed they were dating, but when Lynch was asked at the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them premiere in November if she and Jarvis were still together, she confessed, “No, but we’re still friends.”
7. Lady Gaga and Taylor Kinney
The couple called off their engagement in July, but after everyone on the internet had a day to mourn, Gaga explained the situation on Instagram: It’s just a break. “We are both ambitious artists, hoping to work through long-distance and complicated schedules to continue the simple love we have always shared,” she wrote. “Please root us on.” Rooting for you in 2017, guys.
8. Tom Hiddleston and Taylor Swift
After her split from Calvin Harris, Swift emerged with some seriously cuddly beach pics with apparent new beau Hiddleston. He even told MTV News back in July that he and Swift were indeed together and “very happy.” But after a hot minute of dancing at Selena Gomez’s concert and inspiring a horde of hilarious Hiddleswift memes, their relationship ended after just barely beginning.
9. Wilmer Valderrama and Demi Lovato
Dilmer officially ended in June after being a sturdy couple for almost six years. Lovato posted a message on Instagram announcing that they “realized more than anything that [they] are better as best friends.” Good to know.
10. Bella Hadid and The Weeknd
The duo reportedly broke up in November after being an item for a year and a half due to the oldest excuse in the book: “scheduling conflicts,” but they’re still friends. And that friendship was put to the test shortly after when Hadid walked in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show — and ran into The Weeknd, who was performing onstage.
11. Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber
After 11 years and two kids together, the Hollywood couple announced their split and said they’ll continue to raise their kids together. Very adult.
12. Bella Thorne and Gregg Sulkin
After being together for over a year, Thorne and Sulkin called it quits in August. As with Lady Gaga/Taylor Kinney and The Weeknd/Bella Hadid, the duo cited busy schedules as part of the reason for the split. “We decided that for now this would be best,” they said in a joint statement.
13. Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom
Here’s a quick recap of this tumultuous relationship: They married in 2009 after a month of dating, and Khloe initially filed for divorce back in December 2013 but stopped it after Odom overdosed in Nevada in late 2015. However, Khloe filed for divorce (again) in May, citing “irreconcilable differences,” despite the fact she doesn’t “believe in divorce.” The papers were finally finalized just a few days ago.
Originally published at www.mtv.com.
