Last week, Hollywood was rocked by yet another separation announcement. This time it was Brian Austin Green and Megan Fox. The longtime couple isn't the only one that fell apart due to the pressures of the industry. This summer alone, there have been four major divorce or separation announcements: Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner, Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert, Gavin Rossdale and Gwen Stefani, and now Brian and Megan.
Based on the statements these couples have released, it seems like the most prevalent reason for separation is distance. Their schedules often have them on different edges of the globe for extended periods of time. In the earlier stages of their marriages, they try to prioritize time together, but eventually their careers become the focus.
However, for other couples, like Gavin and Gwen, there could be a divide when one spouse’s career continues growing and the other faces the possibility of becoming irrelevant. Gavin was at the top of his professional game in their earlier years together, but now Gwen is doing better than ever with multiple clothing lines, her stint on “The Voice,” and her music career revival.
"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. To that end, we respectfully request privacy from the media during this time," the former couple said in a statement to People.
Public curiosity also prohibits celebrities from handling their problems with any sense of privacy. Blake and Miranda were plagued by cheating rumors for years and eventually it seems that the speculation caused trust issues. Even if they had sought counseling, like many “normal” couples do, they would have their picture plastered on tabloids at the grocery store.
"This is not the future we envisioned. 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."
In Ben and Jen’s case, the pressure to appear perfect also causes strain. Everyone touted them as the “golden couple of Hollywood,” but on the inside, they were dealing with their own issues. Whenever their split was announced, I remember feeling grief for them without even knowing them. It cannot be easy seeing articles about how you let your fans down whenever you have your own family to worry about.
The pair released a statement one day after their 10th wedding anniversary, stating: "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."
What those of us on the outside need to acknowledge is that celebrities are not superhuman. Their careers do not exempt them from daily hardships - if anything, an extra layer of scrutiny is added. No marriage - or relationship - comes with a guarantee of forever, but it can only make matters worse when the whole world is staring at you.
I wish them all the best in their future relationships, and to those with children, I hope that they can co-parent peacefully.
