It’s been a year that has sent shockwaves in Hollywood. Scores of celebrity relationships have bitten the dust, and the year still isn’t over yet! With two marriages ending just last week – Courteney Cox and David Arquette have headed for a trial separation while Christina Aguilera and Jordan Bratman have already filed for divorce – the paparazzi in the West have gone overboard trying to scoop out as much dirt as they can on why the marriages/ relationships ended. Here’s a list of some of the biggest relationships that have gone kaput in 2010.
Kate Winslet and Sam Mendes
If Kate Winslet and Sam Mendes had a quickie wedding, their divorce was even quicker. The two met in 2001 when they got together to discuss a theatre project. Married less than two years later, they had a son, Joe, the same year. Reports say that filming ‘Revolutionary Road’ (Mendes directed Winslet in the movie) put a huge strain on their marriage. The film, incidentally, was based on a couple in a disintegrating marriage. Both have now happily moved on to new partners.
Christina Aguilera and Jordan Bratman
After being married for five years, singer Christina Aguilera filed for divorce last week from husband Jordan Bratman. The 29-year-old singer admitted that the two were separating due to irreconcilable differences and that she was now planning to focus on single-handedly bringing up their two-year-old son Max. A source said that the couple had been living apart for a few months and had realised that they had simply grown apart over the years.
Mel Gibson and Oksana Grigorieva
One of the most violent celeb breakups in recent times, Mel Gibson and his Russian girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva went separate ways after Mel was accused of verbally and physically assaulting his partner. Oksana, a Russian pianist gave birth to the couple’s daughter, Lucia, in October last year. The couple split in April this year and in June, Oksana filed a restraining order against Gibson to keep him away from her and Lucia. Gibson, on the other hand, also obtained a restraining order against Oksana later that month. The domestic violence investigation against Gibson continues while Oksana denies claims that it was she who released tapes that had the 54-year-old actor attacking her while she had their daughter in her arms.
Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren
Possibly the biggest celebrity scandal of the year, Tiger Wood’s indiscretions came tumbing out of the closet after he was invloved in a bizarre car crash outside his house. Wife Elin Nordegren was quick to move out as a number of women (sources say over a 100) claimed to have been bedded by the star, with one even saying she was paid to have an abortion after Tiger got her pregnant. The couple now share custody of their two children, and Elin got a huge chunk from Tiger’s estate (approximately $750 million) for the ‘mental anguish’ he put her through. Tiger went on to give a public apology and got himself admitted to rehab for sex addiction and returned to golf after a hiatus.
Sandra Bullock and Jesse James
Sandra Bullock and Jesse James got married in 2005 and divorced in 2010 after it emerged that Jesse has had an 11 month fling with a woman called Michelle McGee. Days after Sandra picked up an Oscar for best actress, lurid reports of Jesse’s torrid affair with tattoo model Michelle sent shockwaves in Hollywood. Michelle, on her part, claimed that she was under the impression that the two were separated during the course of their affair. Sandra filed for divorce soon after.
Cheryl Cole and Ashley Cole
After a string of women came forward to discuss their passionate sexual encounters with England footballer Ashley Cole, wife Cheryl filed for divorce in May this year, ending a four-year-old marriage that had been marked with marital problems. Ashley was also held responsible for sending nude pictures of himself to some of the women he bedded, which he later claimed had been sent by a friend who had borrowed his cell phone. Cheryl moved on to a solo singing career, bagged a deal to be the face of a cosmetics company and continued her stint as a judge on a popular singing reality show. Last heard, she was all set to make a move to America to launch her career there.
Charlize Theron and Stuart Townsend
Stuart Townsend and Charlize Theron seemed like the perfect couple. Until they stunned the world announcing their split after nine years together. Sources close to the couple say that the relationship ran its course and that they’d become more like brother and sister than lovers. The two met in 2001 on the sets of ‘Trapped’ in which they starred together. And while Theron’s career reached dizzying heights, Townsend enjoyed far lesser success as an actor.
Courteney Cox and David Arquette
After 11 years of marriage, and a six-year-old daughter, Coco, Courteney and David announced their separation citing differences. However, just a day after the announcement, rumours started emerging about an open marriage and cheating. David shocked listeners when he went on radio a day after the split and said that the couple had not been intimate in four months and that he had been having sex with a woman called Jasmine Waltz. Courteney, on the other hand, is allegedly in love with her tv series, Cougar Town co-star, Brian Van Holt. A case of people growing apart?
